I'm a masters swimmer who primarily swims distances. I have a strong six beat kick and a relatively weak pull. My kick certainly overpowers my pull as I try to increase my speed.
My coach says my pull looks technically correct -- no dropped elbow! I have a long stroke with decent distance per stroke (generally I average 14-15 strokes per 25 meters, up to 16 at faster speeds).
Any suggestions on what to try to increase the propulsion of my pull? I bought a pair of the techpaddles and have been using them for about a week, but while I feel stronger, it is too early to tell there will be any resulting increase in speed.
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Former Member
I have tried backing off on my kick and I can hold a more balanced stroke at slower speeds, but I find it very difficult to accelerate without letting my kick take over.
I hate pulling with a vengeance. I am the one who prefers kick sets! With a pull buoy, almost everyone else speeds up and I slow down. Often I'll do pull sets without the buoy but with a two beat kick. The pull buoy puts me too high in the water.
As for times . . .
Normally, I swim the 500 in about 7:11. My coach says I should easily be able to swim under 7 minutes.
Last time I swam the 1000, I was at 15:07. My goal for the mile is to come in under 25 but the last time I swam it my goggles broke in the first hundred yards. I did finish, but my time was pretty irrelevant.
I'm quite new to competition (only raced maybe 6 times) so part of my problem at meets is that I've not quite learned to pace myself. I either start out blazingly fast and burn out, or have too much left at the end.
I made the transition from a lap swimmer to a masters swimmer about 6 years ago. But recently, I took about six months off (broken rib, starting a new business, etc.). I've been back in the pool now for 6 weeks and feel that this is a good time to invest in fixing problems that have been plaguing me for the past few years.
I have tried backing off on my kick and I can hold a more balanced stroke at slower speeds, but I find it very difficult to accelerate without letting my kick take over.
I hate pulling with a vengeance. I am the one who prefers kick sets! With a pull buoy, almost everyone else speeds up and I slow down. Often I'll do pull sets without the buoy but with a two beat kick. The pull buoy puts me too high in the water.
As for times . . .
Normally, I swim the 500 in about 7:11. My coach says I should easily be able to swim under 7 minutes.
Last time I swam the 1000, I was at 15:07. My goal for the mile is to come in under 25 but the last time I swam it my goggles broke in the first hundred yards. I did finish, but my time was pretty irrelevant.
I'm quite new to competition (only raced maybe 6 times) so part of my problem at meets is that I've not quite learned to pace myself. I either start out blazingly fast and burn out, or have too much left at the end.
I made the transition from a lap swimmer to a masters swimmer about 6 years ago. But recently, I took about six months off (broken rib, starting a new business, etc.). I've been back in the pool now for 6 weeks and feel that this is a good time to invest in fixing problems that have been plaguing me for the past few years.
