I've been reading a great book about swim training. It devotes a chapter to each of the four strokes and one to IM. It was suggesting that IM should be tought of as an entirely different event. That IM swimmers shouldn't train actual IMs until 5 weeks before their meet. The should train the strokes, swimming 800-1000 meters/yards EVERY practice (either swim, drill, kick, pull, ect).
It has an entire plan laid out for what the focus of every practice is. Basically, that each practice should be devoted to a different stroke.
I've always assumed that IMmers should swim IM all the time.
THOUGHTS?
That is the book I'm talking about. I skimmed most of the stroke chapters, but read the IM chapter. I'm sure IMs are done at various points, but maybe it's not the focus? Like instead of doing 4 x 400 IM. Doing 4 x 400 (200 fl, 200 bk) and trying to negative split each 200? I think it's saying to do more things like that. Also to focus on all 4 strokes.
I think IM is evolving and becoming more and more the premier event. By that I mean the top IM swimmers cannot have a weak stroke. All four strokes need to be world class. Look at Phelps, world class fly, back and free. His breaststroke is pretty darn good too. Obviously there will be a stroke that isn't as strong, but it's still a strong stroke.
Kaitlin Sandeno also has world class fly, back and free. Katie Hoff, does she have a weak stroke? It doesn't seem like it.
I also wonder how developmentally based this book is. Meaning, if it was aimed at younger swimmers that would need to focus on developing four strong strokes ...
Anyway ... I'd love to hear more thoughts on IM training.
That is the book I'm talking about. I skimmed most of the stroke chapters, but read the IM chapter. I'm sure IMs are done at various points, but maybe it's not the focus? Like instead of doing 4 x 400 IM. Doing 4 x 400 (200 fl, 200 bk) and trying to negative split each 200? I think it's saying to do more things like that. Also to focus on all 4 strokes.
I think IM is evolving and becoming more and more the premier event. By that I mean the top IM swimmers cannot have a weak stroke. All four strokes need to be world class. Look at Phelps, world class fly, back and free. His breaststroke is pretty darn good too. Obviously there will be a stroke that isn't as strong, but it's still a strong stroke.
Kaitlin Sandeno also has world class fly, back and free. Katie Hoff, does she have a weak stroke? It doesn't seem like it.
I also wonder how developmentally based this book is. Meaning, if it was aimed at younger swimmers that would need to focus on developing four strong strokes ...
Anyway ... I'd love to hear more thoughts on IM training.
