when I swim at a middle distance race pace, like if im doing 5 x 100 on a quick interval my muscles get tired faster than my heart. I wont even be breathing hard but my arms are tired and causes my stroke techinque to go bad quick. Does anyone else have this problem.
An aquaintance who is a college strength and conditioning coach recently did this experiment. He tested everyone on the team for maximum bench press (one rep). The sprinters, on average, could lift substantially more weight than the distance swimmers. On another day, when everyone was rested, he asked all his swimmers to see how many reps they could do at 70% of their maximum. No sprinter could do over 10 reps, while the distance folks averaged over 20 reps.
Just more evidence that distance swimmers do it longer. :banana: :banana:
(we need an energizer bunny smiley)
Hi Morgan. I've heard that sprinters should swim flatter than distance swimmers. If you look at Cullen Jones, Natalie Coughlin, Jodie Henry, Gary Hall Jr., Neil Walker, etc. they do not rotate a lot. The TREND seems to be to swim flatter when you sprint and rotate more on distance ... just my 2 cents ... or as my first graders would spell it sents ... :2cents:
It is easy to say "The best 100m sprinters generally have more "leisurely" catches than less successful sprinters" but do they generally have leisurely catches??? I have seen very few sprint swimmers who have leisurely catches.
Gee, I wish I had a "leisurely" catch, but I don't think I really do. At least not in a sprint, although I'm sure my catch could be improved. The catch is the trickiest part of freestyle for me.
I think this is a bit of linguistics again. No sprinter is really "leisurely" just as swimming is not "effortless." Both are Effortful, as Terry has said elsewhere although everyone is striving for that perfect efficient speed.
Or do you simply feel compelled to take a contrary position to anything I post, even if that requires you to contradict yourself?
If you don't want comments don't post. You are welcome to comment on anything I say.
Now boys… this keep this civil and get back to the thread at hand.
I hope you understand that's a relative term.
I do, that's why I said it was just linguistics.
I find freestyle to be confounding except in a 50 where I don't think, I just turn on the remote control. Sometimes it's as confounding as breaststroke, although somehow I go relatively much faster.
I also think you need to have efficient speed. Since sprints are decided by such small margins, I'm quite sure that the efficiency of every stroke and every turn makes a difference (as does proper training, having fast twitch muscles and weight lifting). I don't count myself as particularly efficient on freestyle. That's why I read all these freestyle threads. I think I'm still at the high SR end when sprinting and getting by on strength as opposed to feel. Still think it's not the worst strategy ever for the 50. But definitely still trying to work on the other stuff. Just gotta keep at it. After reading this thread, I think I need to be more Mindful of my rotation on the catch.
I think I may be flat swimming the sprints. But FlyQueen says that's the trend. Blainesapprentice seems to be rotating on sprints for more speed? I would think you'd have to reduce rotation while you're increasing SR. What's the thinking on that?
Also, what do you think of that "finish" issue mentioned earlier in this thread?
I think I need to do more of those "speed bursts" you're talking about. My to do list is getting really long. It's hard to prioritize sometimes. I'm going to be a "serial" swimmer tomorrow morning. I love, love, love "serial" swimming. I'm doing Ande's 10 x 75 set (fff, ffb, fbb, etc.)
P.S. I hope you're going to comment on that straight arms vs. flex elbow thread. I'd love to hear what you think. Another point I'm somewhat confounded on.
Former Member
Distance swimmers may do it longer,but when they do it it's BORING.
Endurance is underrated. Sprinting is boring. Who wants it to be over so fast?
Muppet is right. :banana: :dedhorse:
At the risk of pissing off la bella Fortresse, SCY is a bunch of turns and streamlining whether you're sprinting or swimming the 1650.
Gee, I wish I had a "leisurely" catch, but I don't think I really do. At least not in a sprint, although I'm sure my catch could be improved. The catch is the trickiest part of freestyle for me.
Is it that we are striving for the appearance of "leisurely and/or "effortless" when we swim rather than swimming in that manner?
I've been told that I look effortless, but this is coming from lap swimmers who thrash their way up and down the pool.
Effortless, it is not! Or is there another reason I am breathing so hard?
A question, Terry. I just learned how to use the kick the "TI way". I do fine on freestyle but on backstroke I seem to have a problem with the timing and actually end up kicking against my rotation instead of with it. Any suggestions?
Former Member
Endurance is underrated. Sprinting is boring. Who wants it to be over so fast?
Muppet is right. :banana: :dedhorse:
At the risk of pissing off la bella Fortresse, SCY is a bunch of turns and streamlining whether you're sprinting or swimming the 1650.
I can endure and I can sprint... but then again...I am the SwimStud...
*insert bicep flexing smiley here*
