In another thread, now closed, speed vs. technique was mentioned and then the thread got off on a tangent... I was curious what people think about speed vs. technique.
In the past few years our coach, Kerry O'Brien, has been telling us that at the end of the race when most are "dead" it is the swimmer that slows down the least who is better off. Obviously as the race progresses you will eventually get slower, but if you can keep your stroke together the entire race, and especially at the end, you will do better. We even did some fun sets to help us realize when we begin to slow down.
For example we would swim a 75 full speed. The second you felt yourself start to slow down you were to stop on that spot. I think mine was about 45 yards if I remember right. You take that information and work it into your race. It was helpful to know where "the wheels start to come off" so I can concentrate more on technique at that point. (I can't remember but I think we were also timed and worked that in as well...)
Kerry is very innovative and is always trying new things. So along the lines of the thread with "old dogs, new tricks" Kerry keeps our "pound" hoppin'. And because he is such a positive motivator everyone will try these new things. Some may not like it or use it but at least they've tried something new!
What new things have you (the collective you) tried? Was it helpful?
