Much has been written here about counting strokes and I am an advocate of doing this as long as it does not become the sole focus. And the reason I am mentioning this is I know how many strokes I take regardless of the pace or distance. And this was developed through, probably, thousands of miles in the pool. This is not rocket-science, it is a skill that has been developed. I know if I am taking 11 strokes per 25, or 12 or 13 or 14 because my body feels it.
If a swimmer swims enough, they are able to become "in tune" with such skills. Another such skill is knowing how fast one is traveling without looking at the clock. For those swimmers who spend a lot of time on pacing, they know how fast they are traveling within a second or two. For instance, I can tell if I am swimming a 2:35 200 free, or a 2:43.
These developed skills can prove mighty handy to a swimmer during a workout and in a race.
I have spoken to many swimmers who do this, so I am not alone. And, I am sure there are some of you here, too. This is the kind of skill that is developed similar to a person who is blind or deaf and they develop another sense to help them adjust to their lives around them.
Has anyone here experienced this? It is quite a joy when it happens and a very big surprise also.
Donna
Former Member
Yippee, I knew there were swimmers here who can do this. Now, the stroke counting thing isn't just knowing that one arm is 11 and one arm is 12 and so forth. What it is is how it feels as you are swimming.
I think the knowing what speed a swimmer is traveling might come about more for those who spend a lot of time pacing; cruising, medium, fast, etc.
I make it a game, too, when I finish a swim and before I look at the clock, I guess a number. And then when I look at the clock, I am almost on target.
I also did this for the one mile swim here on our island. I had my husband start the stopwatch, I swam the distance, and he'd ask me how fast I thought I'd swam it in. This last year I told him 22:38. And he said, NO. I was crushed; it was a 22:16. So what this means is I really pay attention to how I feel when I travel.
There was one exception to this skill: When I swam my fastest 800m free back in the mid-90s. I shaved 2 minutes off my time so when I looked at the electronic timer, I thought it was wrong. But what I did experience during that swim was this: I knew something better was going to happen because of how powerful it felt.
These kinds of skills are pretty cool!!!
Donna
Much has been written here about counting strokes and I am an advocate of doing this as long as it does not become the sole focus. And the reason I am mentioning this is I know how many strokes I take regardless of the pace or distance. And this was developed through, probably, thousands of miles in the pool. This is not rocket-science, it is a skill that has been developed. I know if I am taking 11 strokes per 25, or 12 or 13 or 14 because my body feels it. Oh yes for sure. There's a huge difference between 11 and 12. It's a matter of right arm or left arm being the last one to pull. So the only real guess is was this 11 or 13? Or 12 or 14?
And I agree with you. 12 just feels very different than 14.
As for counting length, it's not required neither given one knows how to pace with the clock while swimming.
As for the pace, well, this I have more difficulty. I often start too fast thinking I was slower.
I count my strokes during my intervals, but it is like an automatic process (I gues I built a counter in my brain during all these years).
I swim in a 25 m. pool and if I take 15 or 16 strokes per length, it is OK.
If it is 17, I am tired and if it is 18, I should stop for a while.
I can guess the timing too for 50 or 100 meters free with a deviation of 2-3 seconds.
Counting the strokes is OK, but increasing the stroke rate, keeping the stroke count constant is more important for me which I am not that good at. Would it help if I change my name to Alexander?
Much has been written here about counting strokes and I am an advocate of doing this as long as it does not become the sole focus. And the reason I am mentioning this is I know how many strokes I take regardless of the pace or distance.
Donna
I began playing with a tempo trainer last year. (a tempo trainer is a little metronome you clip onto your goggle strap)
I set it for 1 beep per second. Using this tempo I would swim for 15 minutes taking 13 strokes per length and 5 beeps (seconds) for each turn. 13 + 5 = 18seconds per 25yds or a 1:12/ 100yd pace. From here, I would either go to a slightly faster tempo and hold 13 strokes / 5 beep turns, or keep the tempo at 1 beep per second and change the stroke / turn ratio to 14 strokes / 4 second turns. This will result in the same exact pace but with a different stroke count and a much different feel.
I mention this, because I am a firm believer that one can use a stroke count as a way to vary a work out and create personal challanges within any given set.
Chaos,
Well, there you go! Swimming with a metronome is kind of your pace clock carried with you and you use it as a training device all along the way so you get feedback during your swims. Never heard of this, but I am so isolated here on the island, it is no wonder. Pretty cool device.
I just brought this up to find out how many fine folks here could tell how fast they were traveling and how many strokes they were taking from having spent a lot of time swimming and race-pacing.
And, not to my surprise, there are many who have developed this "feel" for their swimming to the degree they are within a second or two, a stroke or two, to know. And, this is beneficial, too!!!
One quick question: does the beeping get on your nerves at all? That is a sound I don't prefer. Does it come with another sound?
Donna
