I'm training for my second triathlon - now that I know better and know what to expect I'm actually researching and trying to learn more and think this site is great! Thanks to everyone who provides their expertise.
I have a question about lap swimming though, I've never learned how to flip turn, so I get to the end turn around and come back. Two questions on that, does that affect my swim by not doing the flip turn? Guessing not much since there is no flip turning in open water...and second how could one learn to do a flip turn? Feel kinda foolish when even the grandma's are doing them and I can't :-[
Thanks!
Shirin
Parents
Former Member
Lot of good input here. I'll add my own 2c description here...
Have you ever seen a Lobster or a Shrimp take off in a hurry?
It bends over in a half, head under the knees and jets off.
As I approach the wall, I turn into a shrimp... ;)
Elbows and hands tuck inhead goes down under the knees, bent in a half at the waist, feet go overhead, and when it's time to jet off, feet get planted at the wall, arms stretrch forward, and pushoff.
As you are about to bend down, I do a very strong kick, that launches my feet overhead.
I watch the pool bottom markings, and my current speed to know when to start the turn, so I'm not too close or too far.
At the begining, start flipping your feet overhead gently, and bend your knees in as far as you can (as they pass overhead), then start stretching your legs out, in anticipation of your feet pushing off the wall. Feet never kick the wall, they plant amd push off, almost as if the wall is a trampoline.
After some practice, you'll know how close or far you are from the wall, so you won't have to waste your time bending your knees all the way in and anticipating the wall.
Also, what helped me is watching other people doing flipturns, in a lane next to them, under water. Looking to see where their arms go, where the legs go, how the body bends.
You may experience being dizzy after doing flipturns, and for maybe an hour after the workout. That goes away in 2-3 weeks or so, then you can get through the workout without getting dizzy.
Lot of good input here. I'll add my own 2c description here...
Have you ever seen a Lobster or a Shrimp take off in a hurry?
It bends over in a half, head under the knees and jets off.
As I approach the wall, I turn into a shrimp... ;)
Elbows and hands tuck inhead goes down under the knees, bent in a half at the waist, feet go overhead, and when it's time to jet off, feet get planted at the wall, arms stretrch forward, and pushoff.
As you are about to bend down, I do a very strong kick, that launches my feet overhead.
I watch the pool bottom markings, and my current speed to know when to start the turn, so I'm not too close or too far.
At the begining, start flipping your feet overhead gently, and bend your knees in as far as you can (as they pass overhead), then start stretching your legs out, in anticipation of your feet pushing off the wall. Feet never kick the wall, they plant amd push off, almost as if the wall is a trampoline.
After some practice, you'll know how close or far you are from the wall, so you won't have to waste your time bending your knees all the way in and anticipating the wall.
Also, what helped me is watching other people doing flipturns, in a lane next to them, under water. Looking to see where their arms go, where the legs go, how the body bends.
You may experience being dizzy after doing flipturns, and for maybe an hour after the workout. That goes away in 2-3 weeks or so, then you can get through the workout without getting dizzy.
