Howdy.
I'm returning to the pool after many years away.
Since I don't have a coach, I'm attempting to get back into it on my own.
Anyone care to recommend must-have books?
Of course, I'm not going to try to collect a library or anything. So the question is, if you had to do it on your own, which books would you consider essential?
Right now I'm looking at 3 quite seriously:
Mastering Swimming
Complete Conditioning for Swimming
Breakthrough Swimming
Parents
Former Member
I love this resource and love the stories. Here's mine - so far!
I swam a bit as a youngster but was sent to a British boarding school aged 13 where going to church and wearing a suit were the two foremost technical skills taught outside of maths, English and Latin! Consequently I didn't swim much thereafter.
My four kids are all in a swim squad and through a stroke of luck (a drop out) i was given a pair of briefs and asked to join the parent's race at a gala. I felt the competitive spirit rise and swam a 25 meter leg for the first time in 30 years. I felt awesome and came in pretty fast. I have been blessed with a swimmers physique which had gone south a bit.
The head coach asked me to consider swimming with the masters and whilst I have the confidence I knew my fitness was woeful. I started lap swimming 20 minutes at first up to 90 minutes and four weeks ago started training with the masters.
Here is my learning;
1. I was technically so poor no amount of books or youtube videos could or did help. I needed a coach to pick up and prioritise the amends to my stroke.
2. Lap swimming gave me too many excuses to ease off, coached swimming seems to work better for me.
3. The team spirit with the masters is great, we all have different goals and go different speeds but enjoy it.
4. Maglischo Swimming Fastest has been by the bed for a month and is invaluable at helping me understand why I am being asked to do what the coach asks.
5. My kick is horrible - like a dad, in a holiday swimming pool, showing off!!!!
6. I find this website invaluable - damn it - why are American things always better than British things!!!
And back to the thread--------Swimming Fastest!!
Richard
I love this resource and love the stories. Here's mine - so far!
I swam a bit as a youngster but was sent to a British boarding school aged 13 where going to church and wearing a suit were the two foremost technical skills taught outside of maths, English and Latin! Consequently I didn't swim much thereafter.
My four kids are all in a swim squad and through a stroke of luck (a drop out) i was given a pair of briefs and asked to join the parent's race at a gala. I felt the competitive spirit rise and swam a 25 meter leg for the first time in 30 years. I felt awesome and came in pretty fast. I have been blessed with a swimmers physique which had gone south a bit.
The head coach asked me to consider swimming with the masters and whilst I have the confidence I knew my fitness was woeful. I started lap swimming 20 minutes at first up to 90 minutes and four weeks ago started training with the masters.
Here is my learning;
1. I was technically so poor no amount of books or youtube videos could or did help. I needed a coach to pick up and prioritise the amends to my stroke.
2. Lap swimming gave me too many excuses to ease off, coached swimming seems to work better for me.
3. The team spirit with the masters is great, we all have different goals and go different speeds but enjoy it.
4. Maglischo Swimming Fastest has been by the bed for a month and is invaluable at helping me understand why I am being asked to do what the coach asks.
5. My kick is horrible - like a dad, in a holiday swimming pool, showing off!!!!
6. I find this website invaluable - damn it - why are American things always better than British things!!!
And back to the thread--------Swimming Fastest!!
Richard
