I am new to masters swimming, and had not trained since 1988 until a couple of months ago. I am not exactly killing it yet, but I am finally getting a feel for the water, and I cranked out a 1200 workout today and it felt like I was just getting started. Anyway, to the point ...
I was a breaststroker in the old days, and I never learned to swim with my head going under in my glide. About a month ago, I decided to try it (with help from some old posts here).
I finally got the rhythm down last week, taking my strokes per 25 down from 12 to 8/9, but it feels like I am putting way too much strain on my inner thighs during my kick, resulting in some mild groin strains (both sides)from trying to go to fast (kicking too hard, if there is such a thing).
Is this just a matter of getting used to a new angle? I can breaststroke kick only for as long as I want without trouble, but as soon as I put in the big glide, ouch. I swam plenty of breaststroke today without pain, but I went easy on the kick.
I appreciate any advice.
-Jim L
I expect that it is primarily a matter of too much too soon.Probably when you are doing full stroke now you are kicking harder than you are ready for.I'd do more slow work.Especially when you are working on DPS you are probably kicking hard.
Another possibility though is that your kick is too wide,if so that would put more strain on your inner thigh/groin.Get someone to look for this or get a video and post it.If you have that problem do some full stroke with a pull buoy between your knees.
Congratulations on getting back into swimming and especially at breaststroking.I think you will find the new breaststroke a real pleasure once you get it down.
Thanks. There's a good chance I did just overdo it -- it clicked and felt so smooth I just had to dial it up.
I may be kicking wide. I'll check that out on Friday.
Another kick question -- when I am finishing the kick, with my head driving downward, the feet want to sweep up a little. Is it legal to finish in what feels like the start of a fly kick (not breaking the surface though)?
Yes,in fact it is not illegal for your feet to break the surface.A downward dolphin kick is illegal,but this is an upward motion.Just make sure you are not going too far down with your head,you want to be shooting forward not(very) downward.
STOP kicking breastroke from the first signs of any inner thigh strains
take it easy, gently work your way back into kicking breastroke harder and farther
Thanks Ande and orca -- makes sense. I have added a routine for hip and groin to my training that will hopefully help.
Legs feel good today, and I'll be taking it easy tomorrow.
After taking last Friday off from swimming, legs felt great today but I didn't really push. Managed a strong (though not fast) 100 with the same # of strokes per 25. I think is is really just conditioning.
I did try the kick with a pull buoy, and I can't do that at all. I think my kick is pretty tight and not wide, but my knees open just enough to lose the buoy. Am I doing something wrong?
I also did some kicking with a board, dunking my head to simulate the glide and get the rhythm, and it seemed right.
Thanks for the help.
Re: the pull buoy between the knees drill,you can't do a regular kick that way,but it is an over compensation so you learn to not kick too wide.You want to keep your knees 1-2 fists apart in the regular stroke at the beginning and finish the kick with your ankles or feet touching.
Keep it up.
Are you stating this is the maximum distance knees apart?
Georgio :confused:
Ordinarily yes,if you have very poor ankle flexibility you may want to have your knees wider to more closely get your feet perpedicular to the direction of thrust,or some people with knee problems find thet get less knee strain with the knees further apart(although some find just the opposite,also I guess if you have really small hands it might not be a good rule of thumb.)
