I can't seem to improve my speed. I basically taught myself to swim as an adult, with a few tips here and there from lifeguards who would see me swimming. My stroke got decent enough that I could swim 9 miles in open water. But my speed was and is bad...I swim a 33-35 minute mile, both in the pool and in open water. So this summer, I went to coach here in San Diego who has coached a lot of channel swimmers and he totally changed my stroke over the course of a few sessions. He said I should definitely be able to swim a sub-30 minute mile.
Now, I like the new stroke a lot but it hasn't really increased my speed! What is going on? My coach suggested that I breathe every two strokes because he said oxygen is a limitation, but I kind of rejected that--i feel a lot more balanced if i breathe on both sides. Should I listen to him if i want to get faster? If my stroke is good, does that mean i am just slow because i'm not working hard enough? Should I go for more sessions with the coach? I'm not trying to win races or anything, but it just seems odd that the old guys more than twice my age are swimming faster than me!
Parents
Former Member
In a 25 meter pool it takes me about 21 strokes...and i'm 5'7" not short!
... I get across a 25 yard pool in 13 strokes. Your stroke count seems rather high to me...
i'm guessing she means 21 pulls, or 10.5 complete stroke cycles... which is not bad... but that could probably be improved by at least 2 pulls less.
your lowest stroke count does not have to be your race pace, but it is a good method for improving your efficiency and general technique.
and i agree, if you can swim 9mi, you must have fairly decent conditioning. and yes, you probably do need to focus on improving technique.
Surfergirl... when you 'practice' do you just jump in and swim non-stop for the whole time? or do you do some shorter sets too and rest briefly in-between?
if you swim non-stop you may find it better to break things up from time-to-time. do some 500's, or 100's, or even 50's. i find that the shorter distances allow me to focus better on technique, since i'm not quite so focused on fighting off fatigue.
i saw a recent post here citing the necessity of a clock in training for competition... i can't argue against that. i don't use a clock, just rest till i catch my breath between sets, but i'm not much of a competitor (but i do like going to meets). you don't need a PhD in Exercise Physiology to see the advantage of 'timed intervals' however.
i've learned best by paying attention to how i move through the water, trying different things, looking for that 'sweet spot' where everything clicks and i feel like i'm just gliding through the whole stroke. i read up on stroke technique (see the links on my earlier post here for a good starting point), watch videos (if you can download them and view them on something QuickTime where you can step through them one frame at a time that is ideal), and i lurk on this forum (and occasionally post).
i'm 6'2 190# and can do one SCY length (short course yards, or 25 yards) in about 8 strokes (16 pulls). when i push off the wall i usually start my 'breakout' stroke around the backstroke flags. (#12 "The fastest you ever travel is when you dive off the block and push off the wall.")
i believe bilateral breathing (being able to breathe effortlessly on either side) is absolutely essential to having a well balanced, efficient stroke.
... enjoy!
In a 25 meter pool it takes me about 21 strokes...and i'm 5'7" not short!
... I get across a 25 yard pool in 13 strokes. Your stroke count seems rather high to me...
i'm guessing she means 21 pulls, or 10.5 complete stroke cycles... which is not bad... but that could probably be improved by at least 2 pulls less.
your lowest stroke count does not have to be your race pace, but it is a good method for improving your efficiency and general technique.
and i agree, if you can swim 9mi, you must have fairly decent conditioning. and yes, you probably do need to focus on improving technique.
Surfergirl... when you 'practice' do you just jump in and swim non-stop for the whole time? or do you do some shorter sets too and rest briefly in-between?
if you swim non-stop you may find it better to break things up from time-to-time. do some 500's, or 100's, or even 50's. i find that the shorter distances allow me to focus better on technique, since i'm not quite so focused on fighting off fatigue.
i saw a recent post here citing the necessity of a clock in training for competition... i can't argue against that. i don't use a clock, just rest till i catch my breath between sets, but i'm not much of a competitor (but i do like going to meets). you don't need a PhD in Exercise Physiology to see the advantage of 'timed intervals' however.
i've learned best by paying attention to how i move through the water, trying different things, looking for that 'sweet spot' where everything clicks and i feel like i'm just gliding through the whole stroke. i read up on stroke technique (see the links on my earlier post here for a good starting point), watch videos (if you can download them and view them on something QuickTime where you can step through them one frame at a time that is ideal), and i lurk on this forum (and occasionally post).
i'm 6'2 190# and can do one SCY length (short course yards, or 25 yards) in about 8 strokes (16 pulls). when i push off the wall i usually start my 'breakout' stroke around the backstroke flags. (#12 "The fastest you ever travel is when you dive off the block and push off the wall.")
i believe bilateral breathing (being able to breathe effortlessly on either side) is absolutely essential to having a well balanced, efficient stroke.
... enjoy!
