200 IM + falling piano = challenge

Netho I was at Chikopi in 1964, I stayed accross the lake at the girls camp. The only thing I did not like about that lake was those little bloodsucking leeches that were in the lake. I was more afraid of those then sharks. I did a little distance training there with Marty Sinn. MattIII swam in the relay marathon race at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. The USA team came second to the Canadian Team of Cliff Lumsdon, Ben Gazzelle, George Bevan and my Brother Tom they won the race. Marilyn Bell was also a member of that team and received 1 fifth of the prize money even though she did not swim on the relay. She instead crossed Lake Ontario and became the first person to cross the lake. www.soloswims.com/bell.htm

Thanks for the links George. There are several great stories there. Right Kirk. I think Matt just got tired of coaching at a school where there wasn't much of a feeder program and the talent wasn't so great. Jim really liked Coach Geggie, and you guys did pretty well I think. Red, We've high-jacked your post long enough. Thanks for the chance to talk history with these guys. I'm more of a flyer/freestyler like you. Backstroke was my worst stroke until a couple of years ago. I got excited about sprint backstroke because a flyer like me can stay down and kick a long way off the start and turns and go faster underwater than backstroking on the surface. whoops that's a tangent that won't help you right now. The point is, I got quite a bit better simply by training more yardage on my back. Spend a bit more time with your weakest strokes - back and *** - and you'll improve quickly. If breaststroke is really bad for you, maximize the pullout. Don't be in a hurry to break streamline and swim. Ken

Thought I'd post an update to this thread, since I got such helpful insights from the group. I have traveled a fair amount in the last month, which has proved a challenge, since my overall yardage was already down this SCY season compared to last (my first.) But I am thinking about future seasons as well, so am not placing too much importance on times--a little more on improved technique and overall mindfulness in the water. Anyway, I've been working on IM sets and especially my *** and backstroke, with an eye toward figuring out the right energy expenditure for the 200. Just by thinking about my legs more I've made progress. In backstroke I've tried to kick less but roll more (with the overall caveat that my backstroke stinks). Next year I think I'll explore entering backstroke sprints so I can learn better what it means to swim the stroke fast, rather than seeking not to drown in an IM. In breaststroke I've concentrating much more on the kick. Also working some on fly and *** turns. Some progress there. I am learning what it means to not grip the lip and pull myself forward and up while I tuck my feet. Working on pushing my hands off the wall--the velocity of the tuck seems to be the crucial thing, which I am only beginning to get down. Here's a question: the back-to-*** turn. The side flippy thing is out of the question for now. How to approach this turn? I feel like the dorkiest thing ever doing it--like a piece of furniture bumping a wall, then clunking slowly off it. So anyway, I am approaching my zone meet this weekend with genuine curiosity. Will the increased attention and more IM sets with more variety show up in my times for the 100 and 200? I'm hoping so. It's a two day meet. 100 on Saturday and 200 on Sunday. (Among other events I've entered.) I'll report back with the news and whatever I learned...

Red60, I will be at the meet this weekend and will hook you up with a couple of our swimmers who are also coaches. They'll be able to give you a lot of help. Anna Lea

Permit me to add an amusing footnote to this thread: I reviewed the psych sheets for the Ozark meet on Saturday and Sunday and was amazed to discover that I was seeded first in the 200 IM with a seed time of 1:51.8. Alas, my proper seed time is exactly 60 seconds slower than that. Happily, a correction has been made...

Anna Lea, thanks for your introduction to Laurie Raeburn at the Ozark meet. She was very helpful, and I'm eager to implement some of her thoughts, especially in my freestyle and breaststroke. I remained plateaued in the 100 IM, but dropped a second in the 200 to 1:50, and was much more controlled and confident. I swam a pretty relaxed backstroke. We did not get splits in the meet data, so I do not know them. But in general, my conditioning improved, and I'm eager to keep working at the 200. All in all it was a good meet, even though my performance did not improve. I swam more fluidly and felt better. Something to build on.

I was just wondering how you did this weekend. Congrats on your 200 IM, Red! Good job dropping another second, especially if the swim felt smooth and controlled. That 100 IM is tricky, with the fast transitions. Keep at it (esp. working on the turns) and you'll have some time drops next season, I bet!

Thanks, Feisty.You've captured my attitude. A good way to finish my season and aim toward improved technique and conditioning next time around. I'm pleased to have converted the 200 from an event that intimidated me to one I'll look forward to entering from now on. If I can get my 100 fly nailed down, it's on to the 400!

I started this thread two years ago when I swam my first 200 IM. My SCY season in 2009 was compromised by intermittent training, so I didn't advance the cause too much. Since then, however, I have maintained consistent time in the pool and established a decent level of conditioning. I've worked on my fly and my breaststroke kick, and I've put more time in doing IM sets. A week ago, I swam the 200 IM for the first time since 2008, and I took six seconds off, from 2:50.99 to 2:45 flat. My splits were 33.7 46.6 49.7 35.0 I used many of the thoughts provided in this thread over the intervening months, and I wanted to note the drop and especially express my thanks. Now I need to invest some time in improving my backstroke, and maybe I can drop some more... Thanks, forumites, for the wisdom and the support.

Hey Red, Congrats on your improvement in the 200 IM. 6 seconds is a healthy time drop in a 200. Continue to work on improving your backstroke and *** and free legs for the end of the race. One set we do that is hard, but great is: 100 IM drill 2:00 200 IM/free 3:30 (25 fly, 25 free, 25 back, 25 free, ...) 150 3:00 swam as 50 fly, 50 back, 50 *** 4 x 50 1:00 fast free and cycle through it 3 or 4 times. The times listed above are for SCM, but you should be getting at least 20 seconds after each swim. The goal here is to simulate how tired you will be at the end of a 200 IM and work on sprinting your free. Hope this helps and congrats again on your improvement! --mj