As some of us are in the middle/end of training for Late march early April meets, I thought I would post an accomplishment that I achieved yesterday and I want to encourage others to to so.
Yesterday I swam 16 x 100s (meters) on 1:25 - by myself - and completed every 100 in less than 1:20. I did the 1500 in 21:09 (including the rest), which is almost a top 10 time. Not bad for a drop dead sprinter.
Former Member
Rob Orr was a great coach (still is--now at Princeton). I never swam for Skip, unfortunately.
Personally, I like Houston. Too bad about the pools. Apparently they need the space to expand I-10.
OK, this is a different type of accomplishment, but I am excited anyway.
I am a new swimmer. Started last year as a New Year's resolution and love it. Wish I had started earlier. Like most beginners, I did a lot of freestyle and some breaststroke last year. This year, I vowed to learn the other two strokes. Not necessarily world class times, but competent.
Today, I did my first full blown backstroke workout. Other than 300 free to warmup and 200 to cool down, I did 1900 backstroke swim/drill/kick. Not a great workout for a true backstroker, but for a 34 year old, never coached swimmer I am happy. (And I didn't run into the other guy in my lane once! Although I did brush the lane rope several times - I think I was over compensating.:) )
But this does bring up a question. When I swim free, it is much easier to keep my feet/legs in line with my body. For the back, I know my legs are dropping quite a bit and I am DRAGGING. I think it is partly a balance issue - I feel I balance in the water much better at freestyle. But is it possible that I also am moving slower so my legs sink more? Either way, I find it far more difficult to swim back than free. I fatigue much quicker.:(
I really wish that my pool had a master's group - I would love to get tips from a coach who can actually see me swimming..... Oh well, that is why I spend so much time here - to get any tips and ideas that I can.
This is off the subject...I know! I just want to help. Hi Scansy, You mention that you feel like your legs are dragging when you do backstroke. I hope you don't mind me giving you some advice. I see this problem ALL the time when I'm coaching. A few things to think about...make sure your kick is not too wide , meaning when you kick there is not too much separation vertically between your feet. This will make your feet sink. Your kick should be "small" but fast and close to the surface of the water. Make sure your body position is straight and that you are not "sitting" in the water (bending in the middle). Make sure your head is laying back with your eyes facing the ceiling..or sky if you are outdoors :). Try doing some kicking on your back with your arms in streamline position. This helps make you more aware of your body position. Try adjusting your kick, body and head while kicking. GOOD LUCK!
Hi chlorinated. Was the short man Al Crosby? Just wondering. He used to coach me when I swam for the Dynamo Swim Club in Atlanta then he moved to Texas to coach there. I think it was Dad's Club but, I'm not sure. I'm just curious.
In the Skip Kenny days the assistant was Pete Leighton (sp?). There was a third coach, can't remember her name, that did the Bronze and Blue Ribbon teams.
Prior to Skip, Richard Quick coached, then he moved up to Dallas.
Rob Orr and his dog Zeke were all I remember in terms of people the period in question. I vaguely remember that we goaded Rob into demonstrating his Pan Am Games butterfly abilities one day and he fell for it....gotta respect the coaches that can walk the walk, so to speak, even years later.
DV
Originally posted by chlorinated
What a late reply....but I think the short guy was Jay Fitzgerald at Dad's Club.
You're not thinking of Bill Levine, are you? He was an assistant under Rob, then I believe he was head coach for a short time. Personally I liked him, but I know others didn't (especially some of the parents, from what I heard).
