I am a track and field sprinter (100m-400m) and looking for some cross training. I started swimming because we have a pool where I work and I was nursing back spasms and achilies tendonitis from running. I found out about local swim meets and thought it would be fun to try. I love to compete.
It was a blast. It was very similar to a track meet so I was comfortable in that regard, but nervous because I have never raced in a pool.
I only know freestyle. Did the 100m free in 70 seconds (three bad turns) and the 50m free in 30 seconds (one bad turn). I have no clue how to do the flip turns and it showed. I will definately need to practice that.
I found it hard to warm up properly and got cold waiting for my events. Will need to pack very warm clothes next time.
People that don't look very fast out of the water.... are very fast in the water.
People at swim meets couldn't be more friendly and helpful. I got alot of good advice.
Will practice the turns and hopefully get down to a 27 and a 60 for the next meet. If I can improve alot, I may focus on swim training and run secondary.
I will probably post again asking when to initiate the flip turn. I need to learn what to key on visually as I approach. This was my big problem. I had no spacial awareness and vision.
Very quick freestyle turn lesson:
The markings on the bottom of the pool and on the wall help you gauge when to do the flip turns. Ideally, you should start turning when your head gets just above the "T" at the bottom, and your feet should hit the wall with knees bent between 90 and 100 degrees.
Talk to your coach about turns. You'll need to work on it every day. Any coach worth his/her salt should have good drills for working on turns. Unfortunately, most masters teams try too hard to get lots of yardage in that they neglect what my age group coach used to call the "fundamentals": starts, turns and technique.
Very quick freestyle turn lesson:
The markings on the bottom of the pool and on the wall help you gauge when to do the flip turns. Ideally, you should start turning when your head gets just above the "T" at the bottom, and your feet should hit the wall with knees bent between 90 and 100 degrees.
Talk to your coach about turns. You'll need to work on it every day. Any coach worth his/her salt should have good drills for working on turns. Unfortunately, most masters teams try too hard to get lots of yardage in that they neglect what my age group coach used to call the "fundamentals": starts, turns and technique.
