Ande's virtual coaching

I am just catching up on the messages on the forum and Facebook after the long weekend away. I plan to write a little something about my experience at Nationals here. Just know that I was more surprised than anyone to see these times in Clovis. For now I want to respond to Isobel about Ande's Virtual Coaching and his list of tips to Swim Faster Faster. When I first found Ande's list, I wanted to print it all out and make a book. One that I could put on my night stand and read over a few tips each night. It was almost overwhelming to take the information in all at once. But every single bit of it seemed direly important to me to improve. I realized that the book idea was a bad one since Ande is constantly updating this "virtual book". Last year, the coach at my club flatly refused to coach me any longer which is a whole different story, but relevant. I was trying to learn as a coach and then was forced to try to coach myself in the pool. Thankfully it was about that time when I found out about the resource of the USMS Forum - and Ande's Tips. Ande's tips are presented in way that I could easily read them and then try out the technique and strategy on my own - or with friends and lanemates. I thought I knew my weaknesses, but here I found many new "opportunities" I had never considered. The tips are clear, inspiring, and real quick answers about how to make changes and get faster. I LAUGHED OUT LOUD over Bobinator's response to EHOCH's message listing ways to spend $$ to get faster. She said something like, I'll just buy the suit! But my question is what does your stroke look like before you put on the suit? So, I recommend that you do not make a short list of Ande's tips. Start reading them. But even better, start USING them. Little by little you will get faster. I feel I have only tapped into the tips - and my times have steadily dropped. I had not been able to properly rest for any meets leading up to Nationals but I was still improving. When I did get a few extra days rest by getting out of town, off my feet and not commuting on my bike to work - my body gratefully responded in Clovis. But I didn't know or feel it until the 1st lap of the 1st event... the 400 IM. And I was scared going into that race - I felt my training had been completely lacking. *I had not done a straight 100 fly since I swam it last on March 21st. *I believe in technique perfecting 25s - hundreds, thousands and millions of them. Always have - and over the years I have let coaches, swimmers, and Ahelee allow me to loose confidence in that philosophy. I hope one day soon, Ande Rasmussen will be recognized for his contribution and generosity. I know he loves to do it. But it still is a beautiful service he offers to the sport. And he serves equally both coaches and swimmers. Watching the forum friends swim in Clovis literally made my heart swell and I was so inspired by them all. Indy will be even better. We're all going to Swim Faster Faster! Couldn't agree more! Ande was kind enough to give me a copy of his SFF tips in Austin. He knew I was a constant reader and I was always asking questions on the SFF thread and on his blog. The tips are invaluable. I LOVE the "acting as if" tip. You have inspired me to re-read them, Ahelee. I just need to update my stash. I love the millions of 25s approach. And I am a big advocate of practicing easy speed fly!

I am just catching up on the messages on the forum and Facebook after the long weekend away. I plan to write a little something about my experience at Nationals here. Just know that I was more surprised than anyone to see these times in Clovis. For now I want to respond to Isobel about Ande's Virtual Coaching and his list of tips to Swim Faster Faster. When I first found Ande's list, I wanted to print it all out and make a book. One that I could put on my night stand and read over a few tips each night. It was almost overwhelming to take the information in all at once. But every single bit of it seemed direly important to me to improve. I realized that the book idea was a bad one since Ande is constantly updating this "virtual book". Last year, the coach at my club flatly refused to coach me any longer which is a whole different story, but relevant. I was trying to learn as a coach and then was forced to try to coach myself in the pool. Thankfully it was about that time when I found out about the resource of the USMS Forum - and Ande's Tips. Ande's tips are presented in way that I could easily read them and then try out the technique and strategy on my own - or with friends and lanemates. I thought I knew my weaknesses, but here I found many new "opportunities" I had never considered. The tips are clear, inspiring, and real quick answers about how to make changes and get faster. I LAUGHED OUT LOUD over Bobinator's response to EHOCH's message listing ways to spend $$ to get faster. She said something like, I'll just buy the suit! But my question is what does your stroke look like before you put on the suit? So, I recommend that you do not make a short list of Ande's tips. Start reading them. But even better, start USING them. Little by little you will get faster. I feel I have only tapped into the tips - and my times have steadily dropped. I had not been able to properly rest for any meets leading up to Nationals but I was still improving. When I did get a few extra days rest by getting out of town, off my feet and not commuting on my bike to work - my body gratefully responded in Clovis. But I didn't know or feel it until the 1st lap of the 1st event... the 400 IM. And I was scared going into that race - I felt my training had been completely lacking. *I had not done a straight 100 fly since I swam it last on March 21st. *I believe in technique perfecting 25s - hundreds, thousands and millions of them. Always have - and over the years I have let coaches, swimmers, and Ahelee allow me to loose confidence in that philosophy. I hope one day soon, Ande Rasmussen will be recognized for his contribution and generosity. I know he loves to do it. But it still is a beautiful service he offers to the sport. And he serves equally both coaches and swimmers. Watching the forum friends swim in Clovis literally made my heart swell and I was so inspired by them all. Indy will be even better. We're all going to Swim Faster Faster! Couldn't agree more! Ande was kind enough to give me a copy of his SFF tips in Austin. He knew I was a constant reader and I was always asking questions on the SFF thread and on his blog. The tips are invaluable. I LOVE the "acting as if" tip. You have inspired me to re-read them, Ahelee. I just need to update my stash. I love the millions of 25s approach. And I am a big advocate of practicing easy speed fly!