I thought I'd try an experiment here. I propose that anyone of any swimming level can use this thread (or not) when, whether in a small way or earthshaking manner you've done something in the pool that you're proud and/or pleased by. Anyone is welcome to add encouraging comments (or not) or ask for more info., but please no grandstanding or feuding.
Okay- I'll go first (and I'm just as hesitant as anyone else). Context: last few months hellish: collapse of my dream business, death in family, huge money troubles etc. result months out of water & exercise & 30lb gain. Further, I just went back over the last 10 yrs, averaged 1 meet a year, no more than 4 months training in any one year. So- been back in water 4 weeks, 2-3 times a week and mostly feeling like chopped liver. Monday night coach say we're going to do dive 25's (meters) from blocks, starter's instructions. Now I haven't done this in years 'cause I have a very bad neck- but I've been frustrated so...did all 3 breastroke 16.3, 15.5, 16.2 which tells me I've still got prospects to go fast again! I am pleased.
Former Member
Here's a video of my 100 IM at the Utah Masters State Meet last weekend.
www.youtube.com/watch
Hi Floyd, I finally got to watch your 100 IM video and forgive me if I don't have a lot of comments, it was pretty dark and hard to see until you got close to "this" end of the pool.
I thought your fly looked pretty smooth and good. I think the turn between fly and back can be done a little faster, unless you are like me and I sometimes had to use turns for gulps of air (LOL). But I will make two observations on your backstroke, one of them is your armstroke turnover needs to be quicker because this is a 100 race, you should try to race that 25 back swim if you can especially since you are a breaststroker and that next leg of the race is your specialty.
My other comment may not be true because I was having a hard time with the darkness of the video. But just in case, here goes: are you cupping your hands on the stroke entry above your head? It sorta looked like it, but I'm not sure. If so, that will not help you. Hands need to be loose-goosey but controlled with pinkie finger entering first; this provides for a greater catch.
I couldn't see the back to *** transition very well, but I noticed when you started the breaststroke, you took off swimming it like the 25 it is.
When I used to have no brains whatsoever, I swam the 400 IM. My fly was pretty darn good and I could usually keep up with most people, usually hitting the wall about 3rd, and then I would swim the next 100 back like my life depended on it cause it was "my stroke" and I had to pull ahead as far as possible for the upcoming breaststroke portion which I would lose ground on. My point to you is to maybe work on your back to *** using them as 50s and swimming them on the clock and on some interval. Get used to getting the back into gear and getting ready for the *** since you seem to really move that stroke into a whole new gear.
I enjoyed your video, as a matter of fact I felt like I was there and I wish I had been. I probably would have burst your eardrums cheering you on. Fine job, Floy, fine job....Attaboy Floyd!!!
Gosh, Floyd, I thought you were a breaststroker from the looks of that portion of the swim. I know many people who venture into the IMs have certain places that are tougher than others; many people rest on the backstroke because they just finished fly; many others rest on the breaststroke because it is easy to rest on that stroke. Have someone video a 50 back and post it here or over on FB and we'll take a look. I think people who swim IMs are pretty brave, I mean that's four strokes one has to work on!!!
donna
Carrie had a great meet! Every event she swam she looked awesome. I had an okay meet ... died on the 100 fly but other than that had PBs/lifetime PBs in the rest ... already psyched for next season and a chance to go faster ...
Carrie, I had heard about your fast times a day or so ago and I know you must be proud, we are of you. It sounds as if you swam with your "hair on fire" so to speak. Attagirl, Carrie!!! Isn't it the best feeling in the world when we do so well and surprise ourselves?
I swam 6 events and went lifetime (not masters, LIFETIME) bests in 4 of them: 50, 100, 200 free and 100 IM. And that 50 *** only 0.01 off my best... where the heck did that come from? My previous best times for the IM and 50 *** were from 1997 and the free times were all from 2002. Woohoo!!!
"Lifetime" bests?!? Carrie, that's incredible. You must be on top of the world. Way to go!
The last meet in Atlantic Canada was in Summerside, Prince Edward Island on the weekend. Our club hasn't been training very seriously lately so I went with the intention of just having fun and being social. I signed up for six events and got four PBs! Well, three were in events I had never swum before :D (200IM, 50Bk, 50Br) but I surprised myself by breaking 32 in the 50m free for the first time in a meet, which was a real surprise as I did 32.0X when I was training much harder and it was my fifth event in a meet that only ran a couple hours (31.88s scm is about 29s scy). To get an idea of how seriously I was taking this meet, I swim backstroke double armed due to shoulder issues, and my *** stroke is a joke! (47s in both! :rofl: )
