Shiela Taromina's Swim Speed Workouts

Swimsmar, I looked over what I could in the link for Shiela's workouts. we call the Doggie paddle drill "Finish Forearms" Finish forearms: In a face down position with our elbows tight against your torso pull each wrist to your chest then push down to your leg in alternating fashion as quick as you are able. (builds strength in the triceps needed finish each stroke) No one at Denver Masters Swims fly as part of a warm-up not even our state and national record holders. Consider swimming fly later in the practice after you are adequately warmed up. You will certainly have less chance for injury! Speed work can be accomplished in many ways. Be ready to push yourself to break through that plateau.

alevasseur, Thanks for your drill suggestion. I emailed Shiela since it appears that I am one of the only people trying her workouts. She thought that perhaps I was creating drag in my underwater recovery. That was my problem as I was breaking my wrists and dragging them through. As for the fly in the warm-ups, the purpose is to gain strength. I actually feel more powerful in my fly since the pull is the same as for freestyle. Her workouts also include tubing exercises with free or fly pulls. I guess I was just whining, and hesitant to "break through that plateau".

alevasseur,Thanks for your drill suggestion. I emailed Shiela since it appears that I am one of the only people trying her workouts. She thought that perhaps I was creating drag in my underwater recovery. That was my problem as I was breaking my wrists and dragging them through. As for the fly in the warm-ups, the purpose is to gain strength. I actually feel more powerful in my fly since the pull is the same as for freestyle. Her workouts also include tubing exercises with free or fly pulls. I guess I was just whining, and hesitant to "break through that plateau".Brilliant, I am happy to hear you got your questions answered. Keep calm and keep swimming! Andrew

I feel weird responding to my own thread, but after 8 weeks of doing Shiela's workouts, I swam my fastest 1500m race in 16 years of swimming masters at a recent meet. I am still surprised that no one else is trying these workouts. Perhaps only non-USMS swimmers are.

I am still surprised that no one else is trying these workouts. Perhaps only non-USMS swimmers are. Perhaps we just don't post them? Also, some of our workouts were in concert with what she was recommending, anyway :)

Our self appointed coach just had his work schedule changed leaving me and our other swim friend floundering. We were used to him setting up the workouts and telling us what to do! So I bought this program and we are on week 4 (just finishing it tomorrow). It has been great, her progress has been outstanding you can tell she has gained a lot of strength. My personal progress has been great but not quite as noticeable has hers (she was swimming with fins before just to keep at a reasonable close pace to ours) My pace was faster before starting these so i am sure she is just reaping the rewards sooner , I hope to see them continue. I definitely feel stronger in the water. Great to hear someone else is having success! How long did it take you to really notice a difference? I feel weird responding to my own thread, but after 8 weeks of doing Shiela's workouts, I swam my fastest 1500m race in 16 years of swimming masters at a recent meet. I am still surprised that no one else is trying these workouts. Perhaps only non-USMS swimmers are.

Perhaps we just don't post them? Also, some of our workouts were in concert with what she was recommending, anyway :) I am not sure what "our workouts" is referring to, but if you would be so kind as to tell me which forum they are found, I would love to try them. I also understand that most people swim with a workout group so they are required to do the workout that the coach gives. Unfortunately, I don't get much from my local workout groups so I swim on my own.

I met Shiela at the Sarasota YMCA last week. I told her that I was doing her workouts and she gave me some additional drills based on some of the problems I told her I was having. She even watched me swim underwater to give me some technique tips. If you ever run into to her, she is friendly and approachable. She is interested in re-locating somewhere warm, so if your team needs a new coach I would try to snag her.