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

Actually I got a lot done today. I just leave this on most of the time and click refresh from time to time .... I would try out both programs before committing to either, they SHOULD let you do that. Also, see how strict a USS team would be with you in terms of how many workouts/week you'd have to make. Some teams only allow you to miss one a week. Now you are obviously in a different situation so they might be more flexible.

Glad to hear you got work done...sorry that you had to and couldn't mess around all day. I just e-mailed the coach of the USS team so we'll see what happens.

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.

Originally posted by hooked-on-swimming Talking about break-throughs, I HAVE to share my today's experience with everyone, 'cause I have never been happier with my results since I started swimming.Anyways, today all of a sudden I was swimming like I did not for a long time.I cut my number of strokes from 15 to 14 per 25 m. free which I could not do comfortably for about at least 3 months, my butterfly FINALLY came together , felt awesome and I flew(well, for me) vs. two days ago. My body kinda woke up all of a sudden and it felt like I was a totally different person!!!I have no idea what that has to do with, maybe because I finally decided to stop killing myself and took a day off yesterday after about 9 straight days of work-outs(I know, that is crazy, but I love swimming, I should really give myself more rest, though :-))). So it could have been a mini-taper for me.Or there is another thing I thought about which is weird and I highly doubt it: today the water was extremely warm compared to the usual temperature.Could that have had any effect on my muscles, maybe some relaxing factor, but just like I said I do not think so ... Well, I just hope that I simply improved and that tomorrow I will still see 14 strokes per 25m and a graceful butterfly...It can't run away from me now, can it?lol I think I wrote about the above break-through I had like a month ago and I could not even think that I would have another so soon.I got down my stroke count per 25m to 12(warm-up)-14(200m free pace) now.I am so happy.I am sure the times improved but I am not rushing to check, I think I will wait till that becomes second nature so that I do not mess up that feeling by trying to go faster and hence not paying attention to the technique.What I think helped me this time was the following: 1)I started very intense stretching (I want to be able to do the splits, I used to do them at 15 last); 2)I worked on the coordination of my hip rotation and the kick, that I decided to do when I sawthe underwater video of Klete Keller, his hip rotation is amazing.So I engraved Keller's way of swimming in my head and was trying to simulate it...I think it is working. Just 3 months ago I could not cover 25 m. with less than 15 strokes

i'd like to go it will be my only chance to swim in a LCM meet this summer. If i'm there please say hello ande Originally posted by Seagurl51 Ande-- I was just looking at the info on that meet in June. Hopefully I'll get to go, it's being hosted by the team I'm joining. Are you going? I would love to meet you and pick your brain.;)

Ande-- I was just looking at the info on that meet in June. Hopefully I'll get to go, it's being hosted by the team I'm joining. Are you going? I would love to meet you and pick your brain.;)

it should make a big difference for you please let me know how your kicking project is going ande Originally posted by hooked-on-swimming I think I wrote about the above break-through I had like a month ago and I could not even think that I would have another so soon.I got down my stroke count per 25m to 12(warm-up)-14(200m free pace) now.I am so happy.I am sure the times improved but I am not rushing to check, I think I will wait till that becomes second nature so that I do not mess up that feeling by trying to go faster and hence not paying attention to the technique.What I think helped me this time was the following: 1)I started very intense stretching (I want to be able to do the splits, I used to do them at 15 last); 2)I worked on the coordination of my hip rotation and the kick, that I decided to do when I sawthe underwater video of Klete Keller, his hip rotation is amazing.So I engraved Keller's way of swimming in my head and was trying to simulate it...I think it is working. Just 3 months ago I could not cover 25 m. with less than 15 strokes

Originally posted by ande "What do you need to do to have a major swimming breakthrough?" "What do you need to do to significantly improve your swimming times over one season?" Do you have any specific, nitty gritty type suggestions. i don't know from much expirience but my dad went through boot camp and my mom is a personal trainer. they say that if you work yourself hard enough (almost to muscle failure) you'll be out of action for a bit but when you come back you will platou and go up to the next physical level. so far i'v found this to be true.:D good luck!

anyone else out there want to make a major swimming breakthrough? Ande