With the proliferation of video cameras and the ease of uploading stuff to YouTube and from there to the U.S.M.S. forums, it occurred to me that it might make for a nice section of these forums to have a one-stop place were swimmers could post videos of everthing from starts and turns to the various strokes, and that others (like Ande, Chris, Leslie, Patrick, etc.) could lend their considerable expertise and advice.
I know that people have been posting their stroke videos hither and yon throughout these forums, but it might be nice if there were a single dedicated spot where you could do this and get feedback.
As an example of this, I am going to post a video taken at Colony Zones Sprint Classic this past fall. The two swimmers in here are Dave Varner, who leads the entire race, and me, who comes in second. The video was shot by a friend of Dave's, and there are times when I am so far behind him that I no longer appear in the view finder. Somehow, I managed to close at the end. I think he beat me by only a half second.
Anyhow, I personally would love any suggestions on my stroke. I suspect Dave would appreciate this too, but I am not positive. I am the one in the lighter blue FS I with the very langorous (almost lazy) looking stroke. Despite appearances, this was my fastest 200 in several years at 1:57.44. It felt at the time like I was trying hard, but it does not look like it.
My turns look particularly inept. Any suggestions?
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Dave's excuse:
Seed time was my best from Zones last spring, where I swam the 1000-500-200-100-50 and two relays over 2 1/2 days. This summer at Portland I swam a 2:13 LCM, which should convert into the 1:56-57 range if one believes the tables. Being early in the season, with just a day or so preparation, I opted for a more conservative seed time. It was a good summer, was able to train consistently, and I was not sure that the switch to less mileage and short course had not slowed things up a bit. Not interested in sandbagging in this case, generally just take pot luck with a seed time around my recent best.
In coming years I hope to retain fast times like Mr. Thornton, on the other hand a fun meet and good race is often enough. It is inspiring to see the talent and experience of so many going so fast at what used to be the traditionally downward slide ages. Just keep moving towards the light!
Jim, me carry extra weight? C'mon, I've got enough blubber for several winters already. The turn thing is hard when you can see under the bulkhead. More ab work? I need SDK's like crazy, how can Ande go so fast? First thing I think about is pushing off and grabbing a breath. My friends Jay and Stan kill me on the turns, I feel like I use them for a quick nap in comparison.
DV
Dave's excuse:
Seed time was my best from Zones last spring, where I swam the 1000-500-200-100-50 and two relays over 2 1/2 days. This summer at Portland I swam a 2:13 LCM, which should convert into the 1:56-57 range if one believes the tables. Being early in the season, with just a day or so preparation, I opted for a more conservative seed time. It was a good summer, was able to train consistently, and I was not sure that the switch to less mileage and short course had not slowed things up a bit. Not interested in sandbagging in this case, generally just take pot luck with a seed time around my recent best.
In coming years I hope to retain fast times like Mr. Thornton, on the other hand a fun meet and good race is often enough. It is inspiring to see the talent and experience of so many going so fast at what used to be the traditionally downward slide ages. Just keep moving towards the light!
Jim, me carry extra weight? C'mon, I've got enough blubber for several winters already. The turn thing is hard when you can see under the bulkhead. More ab work? I need SDK's like crazy, how can Ande go so fast? First thing I think about is pushing off and grabbing a breath. My friends Jay and Stan kill me on the turns, I feel like I use them for a quick nap in comparison.
DV
