The Backstroke Lane

At nationals, I did PBs in both the 100 and 200, dropping 1.6 in the 100 and 2.4 in the 200. Splits for the 200 were still not ideal, but much improved! Event 25 Men 55-59 200 Yard Backstroke ================================================================== 7 Jones, Judd 55 GAJA 2:21.02 2:18.64 32.69 1:07.62 (34.93) 1:43.38 (35.76) 2:18.64 (35.26) First time under 2:20! :banana: Congratulations, Swimosaur! That is AWESOME progress! :applaud:

While I am here in The Backstroke Lane, as an update to my previous posts about improving my bucket turn, I had to give it up- at least for now- and return to a more conservative open turn. :bitching: The torque on my neck was increasing pain I had started getting while doing PT exercises with weights to strengthen my trapezius muscles. My physical therapist recommended getting neck x-rays which ended up showing severe joint and disc disease at C2-7, bridging bone growths at C2-3 and C5-6, a curve in my spine to the left, and too straight of a spine from front to back! :eek: My doctor immediately went to work on getting me a referral for a consultation; my appointment is on Friday. Sheeesh; if it's not one thing, it's another! :censor: I may have inherited a rotten set of genes, but I am still- and always will be- Elaine-iaK! :bliss:

... x-rays which ended up showing severe joint and disc disease at C2-7, bridging bone growths at C2-3 and C5-6, a curve in my spine to the left, and too straight of a spine from front to back! :eek: Yikes, Elaine, that sounds terrible! Best luck to you as you deal with it! I know you will, and terrifically well, too, because ... ... I am still- and always will be- Elaine-iaK! :bliss: Yes, you most certainly are!

Yikes, Elaine, that sounds terrible! Best luck to you as you deal with it! I know you will, and terrifically well, too, because ... Yes, you most certainly are! :chug: Thanks, Swimosaur! Swimming, thankfully, makes my neck feel better- as long as I don't get too radical on my open turns! Swimming is probably the reason in the first place that I did not have too many symptoms of joint disease or any other neck symptoms. As long as I am moving, I feel good. The only indication I had in the past of a neck problem was no longer being able to breathe left on fly without pain; I had to teach myself to front breathe. I was definitely a 'iaK in Sanibel during our vacation. On a few of the days, I started off with a 40 minute fast open water swim, before heading over to the recreation center for a 2,000 - 2,500 yard training session and PT in the gym. After breakfast (uhhhh, make that a late lunch...), Bruce and I went out for 2-3 hours of kayaking. I never felt better!

:applaud:to Steve for swimming a personal best time in his 50m FREESTYLE. :waiting:to Steve for his NS in the 50m BACKSTROKE for our gridge. I guess I won by default! :D By the way, at 47.11, I ended up slower than my (guessed) seed time of :46, however, it converts to a time close to my personal best; my only good race of the day. For that matter, it was my only "race" of the day. I was very tentative, due to my nagging leg muscle problems and having today's neck MRI hanging over me. :badday: Looking at the films, it's UGLY! It's back to the orthopedic surgeon, on Thursday, for his recommendation. (Dr. James is the former team physician and orthopedic surgeon for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Thrashers, 2004 - 2011, and now just consults for the Falcons. I would hope I'm in good hands!) YcfcNCXMLNI&feature=youtu.be

:applaud:to Steve for swimming a personal best time in his 50m FREESTYLE. Thank you :waiting:to Steve for his NS in the 50m BACKSTROKE for our gridge. I guess I won by default! :DSorry, I had to bail, but congratulations on your backstroke time. You can always fall back on sprinting when recovering. Good luck at the appointment

The best backstroke team :D: www.youtube.com/watch

Looks like these "stick-people" need a lesson in turns! (or else head-gear!)

They were sucked into the wall. :D

I need some backstroke start advice. I had a great start 35 years ago with my toes over the gutter and a flexible back. Now, I just can't seem to get the timing down to nail a clean entry like the good starters do. I tend to push off the wall immediately as I'm launching out, only to smack my upper shoulders without a clean entry. It looks to me like the good starters release from the block, have their arms and torso beyond vertical (moving toward the direction of entry) before they actually push with their legs to get that beautiful arc and clean entry. Can anyone who's mastered the start give me some pointers? Is there a slight delay in pushing against the wall while emphasizing the arch and setup for entry? The good ones make it look so effortless. Me, it looks like brute force. Thanks.