My name's colin, and I swim at pasadena high school in texas. I'm a sophomore just starting swim (after trying to find the right sport) and have been swimming for a little bit less than a semester.
My meet times
50yd free: 0:30.23 (warm pool )
50yd ***: 0:36.49 (warm pool)
100 yd ***: 1:30 (cold pool)
The meet I got the 45sec 50yd the pool wasn't an ideal temperature, and it was on a saturday, after an intense med. ball workout the preceding wednesday.
Both times I was doing ***, I felt like I was going all out. But, ideally, I want my 100yd *** to be 2 times my 50 time...
Former Member
Colin,
Its all about technique. Work with your coach and do what he says. Technique is key in swimming. Then to become faster you just need to get strong and be in good condition.
I would highly sugest that you get a video called Eddie Resse on breaststroke. He breaks the stroke down and expaines some drills that can help you acheive good technique.
www.championshipproductions.com/.../MD-02419C.html
I have this video and it helped me drop almost two seconds off my 50 breaststroke time.
Colin, ditto to what the previous post stated. Listen to your coach. He can provide much input into stroke. What do you mean by warm water and cold water in your post? Some people think that swimming in warmer water is better and some think the complete opposite it best.
I have raced in water temperatures as cold as 68 degrees and swam very fast. On the opposite end of the scale, I have raced in water as high as 88 degree and although I felt a bit sluggish, I did swim well. IMHO, I like the water to be between 74-78 degrees
I always feel, and most on my team feel the same way, is "water is water" and everyone has to adapt to the conditions. That is similar to playing football in an indoor stadium or playing in a driving snowstorm.
It is good to see you team doing medicine ball workouts. They are the latest thing in swimming training, but in reality, they have been around for a long time. Most coaches are just recently picking up on them, but the truly good coaches have been using them for years, in conjunction with weights, running, pushups, sit-ups (crunchers) and good mental preparation
However, a hard medicine ball workout on Wednesday should not have had any affect on a competition on Saturday. Did you swim after the medicine ball workout? That should help if you are sore. In addition, think about an ice bath if you are sore. NBA, NFL, and major colleges use this with their athletes. If it is good enough for them, it may help you.
As far as your times, keep working. They will come down. Follow your coach’s directions and train hard. Technique is the key.
Post here if you have any other questions.
Hi Colin,
Welcome to swimming, this is good news. Plus, I am an ex-Texan so I have an affinity for people from the south and the southwest. I'd say that if you have only been swimming for a semester, that is not much swimming time and you definitely will look forward to bettering your times through better technique and interval training (backing up those 50s to close to the same time).
The other replies were wise, indeed, technique first, power second. Not only listen to your coach, but go online and watch videos of elite breastroke swimmers. Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Ideally, right now, your first 50 of a 100 *** should eventually be around 38-39 and the next 50 around 40-42. But if you want to round it off, try to shoot for a 1:20-1:22 total hundred. That may give you plenty to work on as you find your place, and think streamlining off the turns. Much can be gained with this.
And as your times come down, please let us know how you are doing and especially, along the way. The journey can be a wonderful experience.
Oh, and as people give you advice, please apply what works for you the best!!! We all have to find our own place.
Donna
