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.
I don't have a coach so I am teaching myself. I am watching video clips. I agree that most people seem to like distance swimming, which is not for me. I like explosive events.
When you gauge yourself off the tee, do you take a look up at the wall just prior to initiating the turn to make any corrections or do you do it blind?
Also, I noticed the lane markers change color prior to the wall. Do you count strokes into the wall, or is that more inaccurate than the tee?
Also it looks like the preffered technique is to flip first, then rotate on the push off. I was trying both flip and rotate prior to the push off. I think this is where I went wrong.
I don't have a coach so I am teaching myself. I am watching video clips. I agree that most people seem to like distance swimming, which is not for me. I like explosive events.
When you gauge yourself off the tee, do you take a look up at the wall just prior to initiating the turn to make any corrections or do you do it blind?
Also, I noticed the lane markers change color prior to the wall. Do you count strokes into the wall, or is that more inaccurate than the tee?
Also it looks like the preffered technique is to flip first, then rotate on the push off. I was trying both flip and rotate prior to the push off. I think this is where I went wrong.
