Hello, I'm new here.
I'm 59 and getting back into swimming. I've always had a poor kick. Right now some times are as follows - 25 yd pool, start in water.
100 free 1:20,
100 free, pull only with pull buoy 1:25
50 yd kick with kick board 2:30
I've read on improving my kick and I know several things to work on like ankle flexibility. I'm not really looking for advice (although I'll happily accept it), just an idea if this is really as bad as I think or if it is more common that I think. Do those times look like a REALLY BAD kick? Is it common to get almost no help from your kick?
Thanks,
bw
Parents
Former Member
Andre,
OK - turns out I'm not REALLY pathetic, just mostly so. I did an all out 25 yd kick as if my life depended on it. Starting in the water, kick off the wall as hard as I could (I didn't do this before), no kickboard, tried to keep a streamline position. My 25 yard time was 43 seconds. I did a 50yd the next day at 1:35.
I think the main difference is that when I was timing myself before, it was more of a training exercise/pace and I didn't go all out.
I know 43 is still pathetic, but it was nice to actually see the lane tiles go by, instead of thinking I could count them one by one.
I've read a lot in the "horrible flutter kick" thread and will certainly be doing several 25's all out in my workouts. I can also tell I've got some leg strength issues and some conditioning issues as I cannot hold the pace, such that it is, for very long.
Thanks!
bw
beachwolverine,
That is much faster and makes much more sense.
Follow Ande's advice, and focus on your kicking during practice. It took me about 4 weeks of serious focus on my kick to build up decent kick endurance (I did 4x200 kick no fins yesterday). Before that, I would kick a 50 for every 100 everyone else could do. I am not fast yet, but I no longer get lapped during kick sets.
Andre,
OK - turns out I'm not REALLY pathetic, just mostly so. I did an all out 25 yd kick as if my life depended on it. Starting in the water, kick off the wall as hard as I could (I didn't do this before), no kickboard, tried to keep a streamline position. My 25 yard time was 43 seconds. I did a 50yd the next day at 1:35.
I think the main difference is that when I was timing myself before, it was more of a training exercise/pace and I didn't go all out.
I know 43 is still pathetic, but it was nice to actually see the lane tiles go by, instead of thinking I could count them one by one.
I've read a lot in the "horrible flutter kick" thread and will certainly be doing several 25's all out in my workouts. I can also tell I've got some leg strength issues and some conditioning issues as I cannot hold the pace, such that it is, for very long.
Thanks!
bw
beachwolverine,
That is much faster and makes much more sense.
Follow Ande's advice, and focus on your kicking during practice. It took me about 4 weeks of serious focus on my kick to build up decent kick endurance (I did 4x200 kick no fins yesterday). Before that, I would kick a 50 for every 100 everyone else could do. I am not fast yet, but I no longer get lapped during kick sets.
