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.
Yes,
I think technique is everything in swimming. I can bench 300 lbs but it ment nothing at the meet, as smaller guys destroyed me. I think once technique is "perfected", power will be an advantage in the 50 but stength endurance is needed for distances over that.
I will swim more frequently once my shoulders get used to the workouts. I think lifting for power is a good idea in the non-competative season and just maintenance in the competative season.
As far as swimming volume I compare it to running:
My typical running workout volume for the 400m is usually around 2400m, or 6 times race distance. That means all I do is about 600 yards of intervals in the pool, not including a 200 yard warm up.
I will try longer distances during the summer since there are no pool meets.
rtodd,
You are doing amazingly well considering how little time you spend in the pool. I swim 5-6 times a week, at least 4000 yards per session. I also lift 3 times a week and participate in my "fun" sports on the weekend (snow skiing/ water skiing, depending on the season).
Why do you boys think that swimming fast is all about how strong you are? While training and lifting will make you faster, and make you go faster faster, it all really comes down to TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE. Which is why I love swimming. I'm never going to win a body building contest, but with my string bean body, maybe one day I'll fit through the smallest hole in the water!
Wow, you are a distance swimmer!!!!
Today for example I did a 400 yard warm up, then four 133 yards, fast with 2 min recovery. That's it!!!
I'm getting better at the flip turns now. I concentrate on the 'tee', when I get right over it I take a deep breath, peek at the wall and go for it. I flip first sighting the wall for foot placement and the push off and simultaneously roll. Is this right? just curious?
rtodd,
It sounds like you have the jist of the flip turn. As you get more comfortable with it, try to do the turn without looking at the wall. Use only the markings on the bottom of the pool to help you judge your distance from the wall. This will prevent you from having a pause in your turn that is caused by looking up to check for the wall and then having to drop your head again to do the turn (wasted motion). The arm that is leading you into the turn should drop simultaneously with your head as you flip.
It's not that kristilynn is a distance swimmer - most swim programs do this kind of yardage. Maybe not quite this much for swimmers with more limited time, but still a lot more than what you are doing. Right now, I'm swimming 3-5 times a week, about 2500 yds a practice, and I'm not highly competitive. I'm not saying you need to start doing more yards because what you're doing is obviously working well for you.
