Just for context, I started swimming five years ago and I'm 42 years old. After a lot of floundering I got down to 1:50 per 100, and I do about 3000 meters a workout. I used to just swim it out, now I'm working on intervals and actually trying to push myself in a semi intelligent way.
I am haunted by my kicking problems, inasmuch as they're weaker than my arms and I tend to always move from side to side. I came to the conclusion this morning in my workout that breathing on only one side on every second stroke was forcing me to angle out every stroke and compounded my problems with keeping straight and letting my kicking propel me forward as opposed to side to side.
I started working this morning on breathing on alternate sides on every third stroke and while I have to re-train my lungs to accept the breathing differently and get comfortable one goggling the non dominant side, I immediately saw a big change in how I was gliding through the water and felt like I was swimming a bit with a pull buoy.
I had back surgery two years ago and for 18 months only swam with a buoy which probably made my problems a lot worse because I wasn't working on my core but was getting stronger with my pull, and wasn't addressing my weak kicking problem and facing up to the challenge of breathing on one side was pulling me a bit askance every stroke.
Anyways here's the question for you pros. Am I thinking about this problem right?
I tried to post the workout I need today. When I was working half through on breathing side to side I felt I had to go a lot slower to accommodate the new breathing technique and get comfortable with turning to the left, as well.
Any feedback would be really helpful. I know it's going to take a long time to put the breathing, catch and kicking pieces back together but I really want to get down into the 1:30's per 100 just for me, and I know without some great kicking I will never ever get there.
A lot to read through here but be sure you are NOT sculling with the arm out front during bow and arrow drill. Not sure if someone already mentioned that previously. You drive your legs, tighten your core, and keep good body alignment and head position to keep from sinking. As you pointed out, if you are sinking, the first culprit is probably your legs.
I think at the very least if you try that drill you should use a center mount snorkel to ensure proper head position. Fins would be a huge help on that drill as well to help you stabilize things and learn the drill properly. When I coached people who had never done it before, that’s why started with all the equipment (fins and snorkel, sometimes paddles as well) and then gradually dropped pieces as the swimmer became more proficient.
I think that you have so many things you can do to get better that you can go in any direction. I only recommended B&A drill as one way you can see how strong your legs are in relation to your body position, and how good your body position is in relation to your stroke.
A lot to read through here but be sure you are NOT sculling with the arm out front during bow and arrow drill. Not sure if someone already mentioned that previously. You drive your legs, tighten your core, and keep good body alignment and head position to keep from sinking. As you pointed out, if you are sinking, the first culprit is probably your legs.
I think at the very least if you try that drill you should use a center mount snorkel to ensure proper head position. Fins would be a huge help on that drill as well to help you stabilize things and learn the drill properly. When I coached people who had never done it before, that’s why started with all the equipment (fins and snorkel, sometimes paddles as well) and then gradually dropped pieces as the swimmer became more proficient.
I think that you have so many things you can do to get better that you can go in any direction. I only recommended B&A drill as one way you can see how strong your legs are in relation to your body position, and how good your body position is in relation to your stroke.
