What do YOU need to do to have a major swimming breakthrough?"

hello jeanette, wonderful to hear from you congratulations on swimming in your first meet. now you know the times to beat. you asked "Can one do both long distance, maybe freestyle long distance swims, and sprints in other strokes, or is that not a good way to train?" YES, at this point any training you do will cause you to swim faster. work on improving your technique and speed. ande Originally posted by jswim HI Ande! Well, I've got the meet results, have my (terrible times), and some events I'd like to start training for.. and some more questions... I'm aiming at getting in to swim at least 4-5 times per week now, and would like to work up to more when I'm ready. I swam my first meet last saturday, here's what I swam with my times.. 100 M Free.. 1:28.50 50 M Free.. 38.88 50 M *** 51.41 (i'm pretty sure I've already improved that time a little now with some work, and would like to do more) 50 M Fly 45.56 100 M IM DQd.. but they said my time was around 1:40.. yuck! Ok, I've also been doing weights regularly to build some strength, but now wonder (because of a comment to me at the meet) If I should focus on longer distances.. Though I really enjoy the sprints, and I know I can improve my times, as I have been working with a coach for a short time and have already seen improvements in some of my strokes. Can one do both long distance, maybe freestyle long distance swims, and sprints in other strokes, or is that not a good way to train? Here's what I'd like to focus on: Breaststroke and backstroke sprints, ( I know i didn't swim back in the meet, but I hadn't practiced the start before, now I have and know it's one of my better strokes) IM's.. 100 and 200M possibly some middle or longer distance freestyle, unless that's a contradictory combo to do... Thanks for your help Ande, love your posts! Jeanette.

hello jeanette, wonderful to hear from you congratulations on swimming in your first meet. now you know the times to beat. you asked "Can one do both long distance, maybe freestyle long distance swims, and sprints in other strokes, or is that not a good way to train?" YES, at this point any training you do will cause you to swim faster. work on improving your technique and speed. ande Originally posted by jswim HI Ande! Well, I've got the meet results, have my (terrible times), and some events I'd like to start training for.. and some more questions... I'm aiming at getting in to swim at least 4-5 times per week now, and would like to work up to more when I'm ready. I swam my first meet last saturday, here's what I swam with my times.. 100 M Free.. 1:28.50 50 M Free.. 38.88 50 M *** 51.41 (i'm pretty sure I've already improved that time a little now with some work, and would like to do more) 50 M Fly 45.56 100 M IM DQd.. but they said my time was around 1:40.. yuck! Ok, I've also been doing weights regularly to build some strength, but now wonder (because of a comment to me at the meet) If I should focus on longer distances.. Though I really enjoy the sprints, and I know I can improve my times, as I have been working with a coach for a short time and have already seen improvements in some of my strokes. Can one do both long distance, maybe freestyle long distance swims, and sprints in other strokes, or is that not a good way to train? Here's what I'd like to focus on: Breaststroke and backstroke sprints, ( I know i didn't swim back in the meet, but I hadn't practiced the start before, now I have and know it's one of my better strokes) IM's.. 100 and 200M possibly some middle or longer distance freestyle, unless that's a contradictory combo to do... Thanks for your help Ande, love your posts! Jeanette.