After recognizing that my stroke is much longer than most OWS, I decided to poke around and see if stroke was different for OW as opposed to swimming in a pool. I found this (There is a part 2 if you click on the channel and scroll down the right side):
YouTube - Swim Smooth: What Is An Efficient Freestyle Stroke? Part 1
I would love to get reactions. I know that when I quicken my stroke rate and shorten my stroke I seem to fatigue much more quickly. However, this could be due to not pursuing this long enough to re-establish breathing patterns. (When I concentrate on my stroke, I tend to hold my breath without realizing it).
I do know that while my per 100 pace is slowly improving with more speed work in my work outs, it has dropped now where near what it used to be 20 years ago.
Parents
Former Member
1. When I concentrate on stroke changes or drills that differ from my usual stroke, I forget to breathe and hold my breath. As the drill or stroke becomes more familiar within the set I'll eventually remember to breathe.
during long OW swims, i will often change pace frequently for stretches, an example:
16 long strokes breathing only one side or the other (consider each hand strike an eighth note in rhythmic terms, or each breath a quarter note), then go right into 16 beats of eighth note triplets.. breathing every three strokes. repeat this sequence switching the side you breathe on during the eighth notes.
my goal is to try and hold the same speed throughout. it is challenging on both ends. during the long strokes, i haver to maintain maximum purchase and a strong 2 beat kick, on the triplets, the turn over is fast and lighter... easy to get too light. this practice works well if i am swimming right alongside someone and can monitor my speed based on their steady pace.
have fun with it.
1. When I concentrate on stroke changes or drills that differ from my usual stroke, I forget to breathe and hold my breath. As the drill or stroke becomes more familiar within the set I'll eventually remember to breathe.
during long OW swims, i will often change pace frequently for stretches, an example:
16 long strokes breathing only one side or the other (consider each hand strike an eighth note in rhythmic terms, or each breath a quarter note), then go right into 16 beats of eighth note triplets.. breathing every three strokes. repeat this sequence switching the side you breathe on during the eighth notes.
my goal is to try and hold the same speed throughout. it is challenging on both ends. during the long strokes, i haver to maintain maximum purchase and a strong 2 beat kick, on the triplets, the turn over is fast and lighter... easy to get too light. this practice works well if i am swimming right alongside someone and can monitor my speed based on their steady pace.
have fun with it.
