I've tried really hard for the past week or so, granted no one ever taught me how to swim freestyle, i tried by observing others and reading here along with books, videos, etc.
So far I've tried- really reach for the light bulb method from one of the DVD forgot the name, where you try to swim on a streamline position, rotate through my hips, elbows high, fingertips dragging along water surface.
My coach told me to try to keep my chin close to my chest and rotate that way - tried that and I drink water.
Sculling and try to pretend that i'm pushing water behind me and pulling myself forward, none of this help.
My stroke count is horrid at 25-26 per 25 meter, and I'm slow as a snail.
Is there anything else I can do? I'm already swimming with the masters class and i am not sure keep pushing myself to do the sets will get me anywhere?
Thanks for letting me rant, but maybe i'm just hopeless?!
Parents
Former Member
Fayewolf,
I'm completely in your corner, and I think you did the right thing by asking for better stroke advice than what you were getting. Our two colleagues are correct to point out that giving swimming more than two weeks of a trial run would be wise. However, I disagree somewhat with their mindset about training.
Swimming ain't running. It seems so obvious, but runners need constant reminders, as the request for your performance progression and the comparison to training for 400m run so aptly illustrates. The biggest difference is that most people know reasonably well how to run, thus it would be appropriate to adopt a mindset of just grind out the distance runs and the interval work, and you'll get better. Novice swimmers are at level in the water that is more comparable to a toddler who can crawl across the room. You could train your brains out crawling faster, and be no closer to learning how to run well at the end. Runners and triathletes need to be smacked on the nose with this particular section of the paper from time to time just so they don't forget.
If we swimmers want to grow our sport, we need to remember the newbies have to be taught how to move through the water. Just telling Fayewolf to grind out the sets, and that her feeling of breathlessness is all "in her head" doesn't cut it. I would not be surprised if someone quit on swimming after two weeks if that was the only option.
On the other hand, when you get good stroke advice, please do give it more time.
Matt
Fayewolf,
I'm completely in your corner, and I think you did the right thing by asking for better stroke advice than what you were getting. Our two colleagues are correct to point out that giving swimming more than two weeks of a trial run would be wise. However, I disagree somewhat with their mindset about training.
Swimming ain't running. It seems so obvious, but runners need constant reminders, as the request for your performance progression and the comparison to training for 400m run so aptly illustrates. The biggest difference is that most people know reasonably well how to run, thus it would be appropriate to adopt a mindset of just grind out the distance runs and the interval work, and you'll get better. Novice swimmers are at level in the water that is more comparable to a toddler who can crawl across the room. You could train your brains out crawling faster, and be no closer to learning how to run well at the end. Runners and triathletes need to be smacked on the nose with this particular section of the paper from time to time just so they don't forget.
If we swimmers want to grow our sport, we need to remember the newbies have to be taught how to move through the water. Just telling Fayewolf to grind out the sets, and that her feeling of breathlessness is all "in her head" doesn't cut it. I would not be surprised if someone quit on swimming after two weeks if that was the only option.
On the other hand, when you get good stroke advice, please do give it more time.
Matt
