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

I am 50 years old. I swam competitive earlier in life up to age 18. I now swim and compete in Masters. For the first time, I want to train and compete in the 400 IM. I would love some training advice specifically for this event. Any thoughts?

read swim faster faster www.usms.org/.../showthread.php train + all the strokes + work on your weakest stroke + for the 500 free to improve your conditioning + 4, 5 or 6 times a week + build up to 3,000, 4,000 or even 5,000 a practice + weights to get stronger + to correctly split the race + to get your body right, lose weight if you're over weight + with a coach and a team + race the 400 IM once a week in practice get a tech suit www.usms.org/.../showpost.php www.usms.org/.../showpost.php Mens Jammers http://tinyurl.com/2wree6 Mens LegSkins http://tinyurl.com/25hzh4 Mens Full Body http://tinyurl.com/yu2hwd enter a local meet ande I am 50 years old. I swam competitive earlier in life up to age 18. I now swim and compete in Masters. For the first time, I want to train and compete in the 400 IM. I would love some training advice specifically for this event. Any thoughts?

I am 50 years old. I swam competitive earlier in life up to age 18. I now swim and compete in Masters. For the first time, I want to train and compete in the 400 IM. I would love some training advice specifically for this event. Any thoughts? Craig, The 400 IM is a beautiful event, IMHO the best one out there. Definitely follow Ande's advice. I train for this, as well as the 500, and the first two entries in my blog outline the broad strokes of my training plan: forums.usms.org/blog.php

The 4IM advice is greatly appreciated. I look forward to working hard and improving my technique and times. Thanks again and Happy New Year from Montana.

sure how's it going now ande The 4IM advice is greatly appreciated. I look forward to working hard and improving my technique and times. Thanks again and Happy New Year from Montana.

I use the parachute when I do my kicking. It's made a big difference for me, especially because I hurt my right shoulder doing too much pulling.

Ande I've been swimming more 400IM drills and swimming at least one 400IM in each practice. I also began some cross training with core strength and spinning workouts. I also have been working much more on my kicking. That has never been something I focused on. Practiced with a highly accomplished D1 swimmer over the Christmas break and he mentioned the value of strengthening my kick workouts especially for something like the 400IM. The Montana State SCY meet is a month away. My goal is to swim 4:45 or faster. Fly 1:07, back 1:15, *** 1:20, free 1:03. I'll keep you posted.

good luck how did it go ande Ande I've been swimming more 400IM drills and swimming at least one 400IM in each practice. I also began some cross training with core strength and spinning workouts. I also have been working much more on my kicking. That has never been something I focused on. Practiced with a highly accomplished D1 swimmer over the Christmas break and he mentioned the value of strengthening my kick workouts especially for something like the 400IM. The Montana State SCY meet is a month away. My goal is to swim 4:45 or faster. Fly 1:07, back 1:15, *** 1:20, free 1:03. I'll keep you posted.

anyone working on having a breakthrough? ande

I am. I have been training for approximately 2 months (weights and swimming). My goal for now is to get down to the 45-46 area in the 100 yard free. After training for only a month (not that seriously) I went a 51.5 in my 100. I am hoping to get it down to about a 49 low to a mid 48 before I taper. I feel much stronger than I ever did when I used to compete but don't have the endurance that I once did. I am sure that will come in time. Just rambling.