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

hi kristina, It sounds like you are already doing a lot of things right it's great you have a goal focus on it it's good you're an IMer since you like variety It might help you to lose a little weight did you read Swim Faster Faster you might find some tips to apply ande Me! I'd love advice on a swimming breakthrough! First, after a 12 year swimming "break," I'm finally at (just a bit better or on them) my best times as a kid. Yippee! I did not start back at this level - I was sucking wind! What helped me have a "mini" breakthrough was: Coaching kids and adults (it's CHALLENGING to practice what you preach)! Swimming with the men @ Masters practices - I used to say, "Well, they are men and so fast. They are supposed to beat me." And I'd focus on swimming against the women. No more! I race any one and any age. So this was a bit of a mental adjustment. I've improved a lot just from this one aspect. Started doing triathlons - this got me in better physical condition. But now, I'm focusing on swimming. Attitude change in general - really working my weak strokes like backstroke and my once weak events - distance free and 400 IM; thinking positively about things that I am not as naturally gifted in. I was a high maintenance sprinter as a kid. Now, first time up on the blocks swimming a 400 IM (SCM), I placed 10th in the World for masters swimming! I want to keep going. Goal - how to place top 3 in the world in one or more events (100 Fly/ 400 IM/ 200 IM - LCM) I'm guessing I need to focus in on an event or two? The problem is that I love variety in my workouts - Fly day, distance free another day, IM day, etc. Currently in the 30-34 age group to move up to the 35-39 group in 2007. Have multiple Top 10 in the nation swims in lots of events. Currently, swim 1.5 hours six times a week. No weights. I'm guessing I'll need to add that in? I feel great as of now. I could do a lot more. I jog 3 to 5 miles two to three times a week - I'm thinking maybe doubles in the pool could be better. . . Or is this overkill? Continue to work on my mental toughness. . . Should I watch my food intake more? Am 5'8" and 138. As a kid (15) I was 5'8" and 130. Thanks for any tips Ande!

hi kristina, It sounds like you are already doing a lot of things right it's great you have a goal focus on it it's good you're an IMer since you like variety It might help you to lose a little weight did you read Swim Faster Faster you might find some tips to apply ande Me! I'd love advice on a swimming breakthrough! First, after a 12 year swimming "break," I'm finally at (just a bit better or on them) my best times as a kid. Yippee! I did not start back at this level - I was sucking wind! What helped me have a "mini" breakthrough was: Coaching kids and adults (it's CHALLENGING to practice what you preach)! Swimming with the men @ Masters practices - I used to say, "Well, they are men and so fast. They are supposed to beat me." And I'd focus on swimming against the women. No more! I race any one and any age. So this was a bit of a mental adjustment. I've improved a lot just from this one aspect. Started doing triathlons - this got me in better physical condition. But now, I'm focusing on swimming. Attitude change in general - really working my weak strokes like backstroke and my once weak events - distance free and 400 IM; thinking positively about things that I am not as naturally gifted in. I was a high maintenance sprinter as a kid. Now, first time up on the blocks swimming a 400 IM (SCM), I placed 10th in the World for masters swimming! I want to keep going. Goal - how to place top 3 in the world in one or more events (100 Fly/ 400 IM/ 200 IM - LCM) I'm guessing I need to focus in on an event or two? The problem is that I love variety in my workouts - Fly day, distance free another day, IM day, etc. Currently in the 30-34 age group to move up to the 35-39 group in 2007. Have multiple Top 10 in the nation swims in lots of events. Currently, swim 1.5 hours six times a week. No weights. I'm guessing I'll need to add that in? I feel great as of now. I could do a lot more. I jog 3 to 5 miles two to three times a week - I'm thinking maybe doubles in the pool could be better. . . Or is this overkill? Continue to work on my mental toughness. . . Should I watch my food intake more? Am 5'8" and 138. As a kid (15) I was 5'8" and 130. Thanks for any tips Ande!