I am interested in knowing what swimming theory you use and why you use it. I hear much about Total Immersion and not just from this forum. I hear much about swimming high on the water slightly looking forward, and I hear much about people developing their own swimming theory best suited for them but using guidelines that help them maintain a technical stroke.
Given all these different theories, it is no wonder that swimmers new to the sport are confused as to whom to listen to.
I borrowed the TI book from a friend a year or so ago, and found several things I agreed with, but more that I didn’t. I am not close-minded, I just cannot find a reason to swim so low in the water with the head looking down. The rolling of the shoulders really concerned me and the fact that so much of the body is low-parallel to the water, this has to increase drag, especially on the shoulders. One thing I will say is most people who swim using TI have beautiful strokes. But, and there is a but, they just don’t swim fast. Maybe I have just been so isolated here on this island that I have not heard of any, but are there any Olympians using TI? Or, will the young-uns using it be our next generation?
There is a USMS club in Fort Worth who advocated TI. Sadly, now they are deconstructing all those methods because no matter what the workout and intensity, their swimmers’ speeds could never develop. I get to speak to many triathlete swimmers here every March. The Elite (professional) swimmers swim high on top of the water looking forward and they use hip rotation, not shoulder rolling. Many of the age-groupers in this event just don’t understand why they are not swimming faster using TI. Now, we all know that most of the triathletes who were swimmers first, and runners and bikers second, always fare better in the swim portion.
I have said this before and I will say it again, there is more than one way to swim. I swim higher on top of the water looking forward, about a yard or two and use hip rotation. The reason for this is picture a person throwing a rock that skims the lake. The rock is flying on top of the water and not in it, so it moves much faster until its momentum ceases. Now, I know people are not rocks, but the principle is founded. Swimming on top of the water generates power and the swimmer can truly feel it. I swim slightly “planed” outward and upward and skim over the water, not in it.
Nowadays, because I am older and carry more weight, I swim not quite as high on the water and this has evolved over the last ten years or so. So even though I started out swimming “high” on the water looking forward, my stroke has become my own personal one that suits me very well. I also want to mention that I am referring to only freestyle here even though with all of my backstroke days, I, again, swam rather “planed” upward because I could get more rotation on top of the water rather than “in” the water.
I am not trying to cause a brou-ha-ha. I am just curious about the swimming theories and why people select them. And after swimming with any specific theory, are you happy with it?
Donna
Former Member
though, there is nothing wrong if your long term goal is to swim a perfect 10 strokes, or if your goal is to have no goal...wow thats really zen)Good technique can be applied to any set,any speed and any distance.
That is pretty zen. I'm not so zen. I need to have some goals to get somewhere and not just be some (fat) guy. I think too many peole find excuses not to exercise. Plus, I like to be fit, which requires more than just swimming 10 strokes real pretty.
But what about the open water? Does swimming pretty help you in the waves?
Don't ask me for a "TI swimming theory" because I really don't like theory. I much prefer solving problems. But here's the most succinct summary I can give of what might pass for an organizing principle of TI:
The non-TI swimming world mostly believes in developing the aerobic system. We believe in making swimming aerobic. (And the aerobic system gets some stimulus while you work on that.) I see that as the key distinction.
The original TI book reflects my understanding of only that initial stage. A book we are releasing this week has the most complete representation of what we are teaching and will be teaching. It doesn't make obsolete what we've taught in the past. It adds to it.
I always thought TI was a theory. That "zen" "mindset" stuff sounds like one to me. Glad you're ditching/de-emphasizing the first book because I think it had some reference to the "beauty" of Barry Bonds. What's the name of your new book and does it focus on speed and propulsion? (Can everyone put marketing jibes aside so we can have an answer to this question?) I hope you are not using the word "effortless" when you're talking about swimming fast.
But what about the open water? Does swimming pretty help you in the waves?
I like it rough!
The hardest thing for me (i'm not prone to motion sickness) about swimming in waves is sighting. Once I have a bearing, my focus is to get stable (lower in the water) and breathe carefully. Nothing is as disruptive as taking in the brine.
I did a set last week (one often repeated with my masters group)
5x 100 on 1:20
5x 100 on 1:15
5x 100 on 1:10
Great set. Is there a break or do you swim it straight through?
But what about the open water? Does swimming pretty help you in the waves?
I can only speak for myself, but swimming "pretty" doesn't help in the waves, but swimming "efficiently" does, especially on longer swims. Three things I've discovered about this:
1) Good: The TI emphasis on balance gives me confidence in big waves, since even if I get "buried" I pop right back up to the top. In 2002 I was in the Little Red Lighthouse race, doing it as a "tourist" when I got clobbered by the largest waves I've ever been in. I actually stopped to enjoy it, rather than panic, and was laughing like a loon as I rode a few monsters floating down the Hudson.
2) Bad: When the waves/current are roughly perpendicular to my direction, I shorten my stroke/glide, otherwise being that stretched out seems to get me pushed in the current's direction too much. I didn't realize this until the 2004 Boston Light Swim, when I got nuked by a cross-current.
3) Good: When the current/waves are with me or directly against me, my TI-type stroke is a distinct advantage. In this year's MIMS race, I started slow and once we reached the Harlem River really started working my efficiency. Until an unknown (non-swimming) health problem surfaced, forcing me out of the race, I was passing people and relay teams pretty regularly. My official observer told my brother that she had never seen anyone swim so relaxed and smooth.
Keep in mind that TI is a theory; not a religion. Take what seems good to you from it and what looks good from elsewhere and then move on.
-LBJ
Good technique can be applied to any set,any speed and any distance.
I agree with that statement. But let me ask you--at the end of that set, how did you feel? Be honest.
I'll withdraw the question.
Anyway, my "theory" is that you have to get outside of your comfort zone in practice if you want to swim faster in meets (assuming that's your goal, of course).
Okay, let me make sure I have this right. You go to a triathlon each year and there's this catty claque of "TI Mean Girls" - let's call them the Queen Bees of Triathlon. And they single you out as the object of their derision. But you pay them back by beating them, allowing you to later "feel sorry for them."
Is this an experience that other clydesdale and athena or "mature" athletes are familiar with or am I off base in thinking it one of the less likely tales I've ever heard?
Terry:
Yikes. There was just a little debate about nasty insults on the "USMS Threadies Award" thread. I don't think you want to go there.... PM.
Donna,
You win the grace under pressure award. You have a lot of class and we appreciate your input. Don't let a few negative comments get you down. Some posters are very opinionated on this forum. While they are entitled to their opinion, they need to learn to be accepting of other's opinions too. :2cents:
