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

congratulations you've made impressive progress ande Originally posted by Blue Horn Hey Ande, Recently, I had 2 sets of 10x50 SCY on 2:00 where I was coming in at 34 seconds in free and on the second set (which was breaststroke) I was coming in at 35 to 36. When I first started with the age group team a few months back, I was at 40 to 45 seconds for free. I would start off around 40 to 42 seconds and by the end of the set I was at 45 seconds. I still have a long way to go but the improvement is exciting so I figured I would tell you. I am really looking forward to getting to beinf in good enough shape to compete. One more thing, at the end of practice in the 50 LCM pool we did an all out 50 from a push and I went 25 seconds with fins. Going that fast felt really cool. Having water flowing along you at that speesd really lets you see how important streamlining is. Now, I WANT to go that fast without fins, that is my new goal. It is freaky how much fun I am having at a practice. I love it, even the under water work. Hook'em Blue

I need to join a team and get into a regular schedule! I swam on a Master's team last year for a total of two months and saw amazing improvements. I went from not being able to swim more than 1,000 Yards/ hour to swimming 3,000. My 100 meter free went from over 1:30 to 1:07. And my most prized claim, a 10.8 second 25 yard freestyle from a dive off of the deck (no platform). Back then I had no idea what a split was and my turns were disgusting. Anything over 50 y/m was always very disappointing for me. This was the first organized swimming I had ever participated in; no high school or college teams. At 25 years old I think I could still be a great swimmer. But I think I need to find myself a team first and foremost.

there are plenty of great teams in phoenix. good luck improving ande Originally posted by 69gscal I need to join a team and get into a regular schedule! I swam on a Master's team last year for a total of two months and saw amazing improvements. I went from not being able to swim more than 1,000 Yards/ hour to swimming 3,000. My 100 meter free went from over 1:30 to 1:07. And my most prized claim, a 10.8 second 25 yard freestyle from a dive off of the deck (no platform). Back then I had no idea what a split was and my turns were disgusting. Anything over 50 y/m was always very disappointing for me. This was the first organized swimming I had ever participated in; no high school or college teams. At 25 years old I think I could still be a great swimmer. But I think I need to find myself a team first and foremost.

What I need to have a major break through, I am 6' 3" tall I need to be another 3 to 4 inches taller. Here is the proof http://www.gsv1.de/koerper.htm

What do I think I need to do? Be able to repeat 100s on 1:10 and 200s on 2:30. That's my goal for the year. Today we did 16 100s, the last 4 on 1:15 holding 1:10.

keep training your aerobic system do some long smooth sets where you're going strong but not all out, do some sets where you push and test your limits, and some where you attempt to make 100's on and find out where you fail when you fail, attempt to make 1:15 also do some sets where you attemp to hold faster times on 1:15 and 1:20 if you have a digital pace clock, try repeating 100's on 1:11 to 1:14 if you consistently train, you'll get better over time there's much more in swim faster faster you want to get to where you can comfortable make it. congrats on doing 4 on 1:15 holding 1:10 Ande Originally posted by gull80 What do I think I need to do? Be able to repeat 100s on 1:10 and 200s on 2:30. That's my goal for the year. Today we did 16 100s, the last 4 on 1:15 holding 1:10.

you're welcome, congratulations!!! isn't fun when you split a race correctly and swim a best time? It's awesome when the correct splitting concept it finally sinks in, you use it and it works. keep experimenting and training hard. ande Originally posted by dvarner Thanks, Ande - The repeated discussions about careful splitting and the need to take risks to make breakthroughs finally sunk in. It helped to see your examples and excerpts on top of what we all know is supposed to be a smart strategy; there's no substitute for repetition and proof. After two "stupid" swims at Nationals (200 + 400 free) I took a chance, defying my tendency to succumb to race anxiety and go out too fast, and negative splitted a best time. Dropped :47 since early July, and, best of all, did not wish for any number of spectacular, premature ends to the race while doing it. I don't think I ever negatively splitted any best times in any event during all the years I swam age group. Even though it's a long way before I reach the big heats there was success on a smaller scale thanks to the discussions you've begun. Sincerely, DV

Thanks, Ande - The repeated discussions about careful splitting and the need to take risks to make breakthroughs finally sunk in. It helped to see your examples and excerpts on top of what we all know is supposed to be a smart strategy; there's no substitute for repetition and proof. After two "stupid" swims at Nationals (200 + 400 free) I took a chance, defying my tendency to succumb to race anxiety and go out too fast, and negative splitted a best time. Dropped :47 since early July, and, best of all, did not wish for any number of spectacular, premature ends to the race while doing it. I don't think I ever negatively splitted any best times in any event during all the years I swam age group. Even though it's a long way before I reach the big heats there was success on a smaller scale thanks to the discussions you've begun. Sincerely, DV

in response to the original question: "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 think it's really easy to fall into ruts, to just show up and go through the motions rather than seizing the moment while we train. Any one have any thoughts on what we need to do to significantly improve? My little commentary: I think in order to have a breakthrough, and improve swimming you'll mainly need to focus on the following two things: your awareness while swimming, and your intention/focus while swimming. Awareness means you know why you are swimming, and more importantly HOW you are swimming. (i.e. Where is your hand when you begin your catch, what position is it in? how long is the extension thru the arm during the catch? etc) If you are not aware of any of this, and even the best of swimmers may not be, its time to SLOW down, and take account of what is happening and how you can little by little, iron out all the little problems areas. You'll see more result swimming with QUALITY vs. quantity. Awareness also means you know yourself in the pool. For example, what is your stroke count (per 25)at a medium pace? at a fast pace? do you have control over it? If you don't know any of this, it is something to examine. You should know your stroke count, be able to maintain that count every time, and adjust it accordingly and at will. For example. lets say your stroke count is 16 per 25 yds/meters (stroke count will be different for everyone depending upon height, etc) you should be able to swim a medium paced 100 and hit that count of 16 every time. If you are sprinting, raise it to 18 (or whatever number) but be very specific about it, and plan it before you start swimming. Lately I've been neg splitting my 100's by adjusting stroke count. I'll swim the 100 with stroke counts of 16-16-18-18. Again, its awareness, control and intention about what you are doing. Drills are a great way to slow down, take account of what you are doing, notice where you are in the pool, and really examine whats going on. Try alternating 25 drill with 25 stroke and see what happens. Count strokes on a daily basis and see if you can track what is going on. Totalimmersion.net has some really great drills that help raise your awareness. I was able to drop my stroke count significantly (thus increasing my efficiency and being more hydrodynamic) thru awareness and focus. If you are simply going thru the motions, all the yardage in the world will not help you. Its also great to cross train with something like Yoga, where again, not only are you benefitting from the physical aspect it has to offer, but you are becoming more aware of your body, where your body is in space, and your focus of what you are doing. Some other little items to help oneself improve: Write down a swim log of your own swims, how you swam, your experience thru the swim, etc and compare over a few weeks. Pick a focus of the day while swimming, maybe mondays and thursdays is getting a great push off for EVERY flip turn. Maybe Tuesdays and fridays you count strokes. Maybe wednesdays and saturdays its about keeping the head in a streamlined position. there's tons of variables, and i think you get the general idea. work two strokes together - back and free can be worked on together and you'll find some missing ingredients for each within the other. same for *** and fly. eat good food, fuel your body well. ask a friend to watch you swim, or videotape yourself to get that external perspective. swim with a GOOD coach, but most importantly, learn how to be your own coach. remember its a long term process, no instantaneous results! good luck!!

looks like some great advice ande