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.
coachsci.sdsu.edu/.../costill.htm
"Pulling alone produced only 51% of the power that was produced when the whole stroke was tested. Strong kickers were found to gain substantially more than weak or two-beat kickers when kicking was integrated into the stroke. It is erroneous to conclude that kicking contributes 49% of swimming power. Rather, the addition of the kick allows the arms to perform more powerfully. The contribution of the kick and its main function is to maintain body position while developing additional power."
I might ask for one of those finger stop watches for Christmas myself. I wonder what that Swimsense is all about, (would be nice to have something that auto start/stop times an event)
Stevepowell - I had problems when ocean swimming because of my body float position if I kicked hard my legs exited the water. Even in a pool I had to work to keep my legs in the water when kicking.
Does anyone have a few recommendations on fins? I need to think of something to ask for for Christmas.
Now, I'm not asking whether or not to use fins as I already have my mind made up! But I see a few advantages: getting used to moving faster and learning arm technique at higher speed, ankle flexibility, as well as working the legs in a more cardio-intensive and fun way.
I'd generally like to improve on everything.
Thanks a lot for any help!
I use tyr crossblades.
Does anyone have a few recommendations on fins? I need to think of something to ask for for Christmas.
I use zoomers (red), I think there are alot of choices, but I would stick with a short fin. It simulates race pace no problem with a more realistic cadence.
10/7/11: 19.54 flutter w/board, 26.12 flutter on back
10/19/11: 45.47 50yd flutter w/board, 25.81 flutter on back, 29.x 50yd free from push
10/26/11: 19.20 25yd flutter w/board
11/6/11: 18.99 25yd flutter w/board, 24.53 flutter on back, sub-13 25yd free
11/14/11: 18.75 25yd flutter w/board, 14.41 25yd fly swim
improvement continues, ever so slightly! i couldnt get a time on the rest, but i did 2x25 free sprint, 25 flutter on back, and 25 backstroke swim.
12/1/11: 19.08 flutter w/ board, 24.20 flutter on back, 13.24 sprint free, 14.48 sprint fly
Couldn't get to the pool for about a week and a half surrounding thanksgiving but didn't lose too much.
Ande, thanks for the encouragement. My next kicking goal will be to break 40s in the 50 and go from there.
Have not for a long time and don't expect to. I like my kick the way it is.
George like to stir things up.
He was quite a swimmer in the 50's
www.georgeparkriverpool.com/swim_tips.html
When you train around 800 a practice.
You might not be able to work on your kick.
But if you intensely want to swim faster and if you have a weak kick or room to improve your kick. Then improving your kick is pretty much a no brainer. It's low hanging fruit that you oughta pick.
