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.
Reply
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.
