I am a first time emailer, but felt compelled to write. Of course I am biased, as I am a partner in the Race Club with my son. A few weeks ago, for the first time since we opened the camp last summer, I experienced the week long camp with two other Masters swimmers (Hodding Carter from Maine and John Fields from Atlanta).
Aside from the fact that we are all three in the 45 to 55 age range and had a ball training together, I was truly blown away by a few things. First, after years of watching the creative training methods of Jon Olson, Mike Bottom, Andy Diechert and all of the Olympians who have trained with us, I discovered it is very different being the pupil. Having the chance to experience many drills I had never done before and try some techniques of swimming I had never used really opened my eyes to the importance of great technique.
Second, I am from the old school (actually getting to be very old school now) where the workouts were predictable and repetitive (warmup, hard set, kick set, pull set, sprint set, warm down). With the greatest respect to Doc Counsilman, Don Gambril and Flip Darr (getting inducted to the coaches Hall of Fame this year), all incredible coaches in their day, we didn't necessarily train smart. We just trained hard. In order to swim fast...really fast, you have to swim and train smart.
What the Race Club experience reminded me of was how easy it is to be inefficient in the sport of swimming. I actually first learned this on the tow rope at the Phoenix Swim Club when I discovered the slightest change in my head position made a huge difference in the drag (and time) of my 50 meter swim. Just imagine trying to swim fast with your hands turned 90 degrees to the middle...they slice through the water with little resistance and your body goes nowhere. Or imagine trying to swing a golf club without moving your hips...only your arms. The result...little power...the ball doesn't go very far.
The same is true in swimming...even more so. Little changes can make huge differences in efficiency, power and thus, speed. How well do you rotate your hips when you swim...or do you even think about your hips? How many drills do you do with your hands to feel the right pitch and elbow position? Or do you any drills at all?
Look...you can keep beating your brains out in practice (like beating your head against the wall) and keep doing the same stuff day after day. Or you can get your body down here to Islamorada and spend 3 days, 4 days or a week with us and let us show you how to swim smart...and fast! Besides that, you might just have a little fun.
See you soon,
Gary Sr.forums.usms.org/newthread.php
I learned like you too, Gary in my "master" years that small technique changes go a long, long way. I didn't have the years of training that some swimmers have on a uss team or college team. It's harder to put in the time after the fact (I wish swimming paid the bills) when you don't have that "endurance base" to build from. So, by focusing on technique for the last year I can definitely say my times have improved by far. Now I just have to find more time and energy for the training.
Good point, Paul. Few people realize that even the great drinkers have to balance both technique and background to ensure that they are in top form for the appointed day. Interestingly, even though the rigors of collegiate drinking provide plenty of background, this this a field where the 'late bloomer' can, by assiduous attention to drills & details such as arm position, head angle and hip rotation, rapidly become competitive with the ex-ncaa stars (as long as they are prepared to do the long hours of mindless repitition).
Gary....I'm sure some of your competition wishes you would quite working on your stroke and stay "old school"!
So what night are we all coming down for the Race Club "open house"? Some nice cold beers....shrimp cocktails.....? Peter, John and I want to work on our drinking technique as well!!
Originally posted by Paul Smith
...So what night are we all coming down for the Race Club "open house"? Some nice cold beers....shrimp cocktails.....? Peter, John and I want to work on our drinking technique as well!!
Don't leave me out of this! Backstrokers need beer too...
My whole life no matter swimming or living follows the principal of keep it simple, with very minor changes in everything I do. When I swim I try not to splash, I rolled the shoulders when everyone told me not to. They told me my elbows were too high I still kept them high it felt easier for me. Why do you bend your arms under water George, Johnny W--- did not do that. Pull your hands out wider George no one swims like that. George you don't train enough.
Technique is what I depended on and everyone would say you can't do it that way, but I did it my way. I hold no worlds records but have beaten the best in the world with very little effort.
Gary I like the idea of teaching Technique. I would love to go to florida but I am afraid you would make me work too hard.
I know that Gary Hall Jr would recommend room-temperature Guinness, since he's sponsored.
Furthermore, if anyone needs shaving cream in the near future, I highly recommend Barbasol. It's a great old-school shaving cream. To make this pertinent to all the USMS beer drinkers and shaved/tapered swimmers (probably a coincident Venn diagram there): Gary Hall Jr is featured on the barber pole can as a REAL MAN!
I plan to bring a half-dozen Barbasol cans to Coral Springs to have them autographed. Then I hope to auction them off and donate the proceeds to ISHOF or to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, whichever Gary Jr chooses. If only Guinness would put his image on their beer cans, life would really be grand!
Remember, when shaving down for Nationals, it's BARBASOL all the way!!
www.arluckpromotions.com/garyhall.php
Everyone knows you should drink Guinness for one reason....
Guinness for Strength!
I've carbo loaded with Guinness the night before meets many times with great results!
Originally posted by A.K.
I've carbo loaded with Guinness the night before meets many times with great results!
Draught Guinness is a good choice, too, because it's pretty low in alcohol. You can drink a couple pints the night before without too many ill effects the next day :)
