I am slow, and when I mean slow, I mean slow. I can do a 26 sec 50 with fins, but without I come in just under 1:20! I think a big part of it is just taking the fins off and doing a lot of kick sets to learn to feel the water better with my feet. I have a good breaststroke kick so I don't think my problem is an overly weak pair of legs, although they could be in better shape. Also, myankles are fairly flexible as I can point my toes and make my feet bend backwards past an even position with my shins. However, I do think that I need to loosen up my ankles when I kick. I feel like I get more out of my kick for those brief moments when I allow my ankles to snap back and forth with my kick. I think I actually need to relax more to kick faster as weird as that sounds.
I suppose the answer to my question is that I simply need to take of the fins and do kick set after kick set until I learn to feel the water better with my feet and become more efficient.
congratulations Nancy
Were you getting thigh movement from jiggly skin?
I haven't been able to do test sets but my kick is a lot better this summer. I am guessing my 50y kick is a minute faster and I can keep up with the slower kickers now. Two things I changed:
* Plain old compression shorts (jammer-length UnderArmor) under my Speedo. My kick doesn't hurt any more, and I get a good feel for the water on my feet. Turbulence is greatly reduced. The difference in speed and comfort was immediately noticeable and dramatic. My coach said my technique was OK. I really needed the "motion control" the shorts provide.
* I started bike riding, about 36 miles/week. It is gradually improving both leg strength and kick speed. Last year I was doing 5 miles/week on a stationary bike.
congratulations Nancy
Were you getting thigh movement from jiggly skin?
I haven't been able to do test sets but my kick is a lot better this summer. I am guessing my 50y kick is a minute faster and I can keep up with the slower kickers now. Two things I changed:
* Plain old compression shorts (jammer-length UnderArmor) under my Speedo. My kick doesn't hurt any more, and I get a good feel for the water on my feet. Turbulence is greatly reduced. The difference in speed and comfort was immediately noticeable and dramatic. My coach said my technique was OK. I really needed the "motion control" the shorts provide.
* I started bike riding, about 36 miles/week. It is gradually improving both leg strength and kick speed. Last year I was doing 5 miles/week on a stationary bike.
