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.
Parents
Former Member
My last post on this thread (November 12th 2007) 2 years ago!
Syd's 25m flutter kick time chart
11/12 21.46
09/07 22.90
07/03 23.59
06/28 24.10
06/20 25.84
Well, after a month-long lay off due to a severe ear infection, I am back in the water again, and this time I am determined to improve my kicking. In fact, it is my swimming resolution for 2010. So far, so good.
12/16 21.31
12/23 20.64
(All 25m, self-timed, from a push off, with a board)
Woot! For the first time a sub 20 feels within my reach. I am kicking about 500 - 600 meters every other day. It probably doesn't sound like a lot, but when you consider that I am only swimming about 1800m a session, you will realise that it is about a third of my total distance. At any rate, compared to my 200-slow-kick-once-a-week (or whenever) approach of the past, it is a vast increase in distance. This has undoubtedly improved my stamina. I can now go flat out for an entire 25m without total muscle break down. As soon as I can go sub 20 I want to add 50's to my repertoire.
The extra time I have spent kicking has given me more time to think about, and improve on, my kicking form. I have found by making small adjustments to my kick I can increase my speed. Specifically, if I keep my toes pointed, my feet closer together and make smaller, faster kicks, I go faster. I am really excited about 2010 and I am hoping that this focus on kicking is going to give me the boost needed to achieve my time goals.
My last post on this thread (November 12th 2007) 2 years ago!
Syd's 25m flutter kick time chart
11/12 21.46
09/07 22.90
07/03 23.59
06/28 24.10
06/20 25.84
Well, after a month-long lay off due to a severe ear infection, I am back in the water again, and this time I am determined to improve my kicking. In fact, it is my swimming resolution for 2010. So far, so good.
12/16 21.31
12/23 20.64
(All 25m, self-timed, from a push off, with a board)
Woot! For the first time a sub 20 feels within my reach. I am kicking about 500 - 600 meters every other day. It probably doesn't sound like a lot, but when you consider that I am only swimming about 1800m a session, you will realise that it is about a third of my total distance. At any rate, compared to my 200-slow-kick-once-a-week (or whenever) approach of the past, it is a vast increase in distance. This has undoubtedly improved my stamina. I can now go flat out for an entire 25m without total muscle break down. As soon as I can go sub 20 I want to add 50's to my repertoire.
The extra time I have spent kicking has given me more time to think about, and improve on, my kicking form. I have found by making small adjustments to my kick I can increase my speed. Specifically, if I keep my toes pointed, my feet closer together and make smaller, faster kicks, I go faster. I am really excited about 2010 and I am hoping that this focus on kicking is going to give me the boost needed to achieve my time goals.
