How fast can you get?
835
Member
1380 days
glbrum posted 3 years ago.
A good way to improve, in your current situation, would be to simply put in the time in the pool. That doesn't mean spending a few hours each time, instead go more frequently. I have been swimming for about 1 year and I had never swam in a "lap-swim" format before then and over the past year I have seen great improvements. I have never had a coach, I just spent more time in the pool. I'm sure a coach would help make you faster and an overall better swimmer. but I've seen improvements in myself without a coach, so aa a coach isa benefit to improvement, you can definitely do it without one. You can check out some of the articles on the home page regarding swimming. You might find some good stuff.
2334
Member
2427 days
Tribro posted 3 years ago.
here's the swimming articles section:
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/swim/index.php
I'd agree with glbrum, frequency is important to improving your swim. Mnay of the pros spend more days swimming than any of the other disciplines, but usually about 1 hour sessions.
Also, technique is key. Make sure you know how to swim properly. Spending several days a week swimming poorly won't help you as much as learning how to swim efficiently and smoothly. That will certainly help your times and effort expended. Several trifuelers have used the Total Immersion technique with success. Check out their books or DVDs for a low cost way to learn more about and improve your stroke.
477
Member
1344 days
geochuck posted 3 years ago.
Go to a masters swim club and get a little coaching. It sounds like you have to improve technique,. You must train fast to improve your times. In three months after a long layoff, I need to drop my 100 meters from 1:40 to about 1:05 for the 100m but I will do it,
In rough water you must roll your shoulders more and swim in the water not try to swim in the air. If it is in salt water don't over kick use the legs to balance your body I have seen swimmers almost roll onto their backs so they can breathe.
Their are some good tips on my website swimdownhill.com. It all depends on gaining swimming skills, you will be surprised how easy it is to improve your times. I worked with a young man who had never taken a lesson and after working out with me for 5 months. He used to swim the mile in 36plus minutes after tweaking of his stroke he was able to swim the mile in 22plus minutes.
George
414
Member
1377 days
trithis04 posted 3 years ago.
glbrum and tribro got it! Most likely you can afford to cut your training time on the run and bike in order to improve your swim. But I think your in a great situation having a good base on the bike and run. This is where you can make up or open up the most time. When I started in triathlon, the swim might have been my strongest element and at any tri distance you spend the least amount of time in the water. So, any improvement in the swim will aid your overall position.
I would first focus on an efficient stroke, ie conserving energy. Once you have learned an effective and efficient freestyle stroke you can use your workout to enhance your speed. Have you invested in a weightsuit? I'm currently back in college, so I understand the budget thing, but there known to make even rocks like myself stay afloat. In addition, they just plain make you faster!
Considering your fittness level as a runner, I would see no reason why you cannot reach your swim goals. Swimming is just like running you can't really do anything else to get better except swim. Strenght programs will help, but it takes time in the water. You have the cardio and VO2 fitness, I think the speed will come with time. Other member have provided good insight regard ways to improve, so I wish you the best!
[FONT=Impact]-Jason
"Fatigue will make cowards of us all!"
477
Member
1344 days
geochuck posted 3 years ago.
1...Did you know many shoulder injuries for swimmers come from stretching exercises before they are warmed up? Some experts say you should not stretch at all, and do longer warm up and cool down swims.
2...What I've noticed, is that any movement which causes stress or pain should be eliminated from your stroke.
3...Races are won or lost on dives and turns. The body should go through the water with the least amount of resistance. Hands are extended, head down not looking forward, shoulders touching the ears as the hand recovers.
4...If you slap the water, the water will slap you back with equal force. Remember Newton's third law... "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction"
5...If you drop your elbow, you will push yourself backwards.
6...If you press your thumb against your index finger, it causes tension in the forearm. Swim relaxed.
7...If you cup your hand you actually press less water when it's cupped. Don't cup your hand.
8...If you force your fingers together, this also creates tention in the forearm. Swim relaxed.
9...Always finish your stroke, touching your thigh as far down the thigh as possible but keeping the body streamlined.
How the hand enters the water. It really doesn't matter.
I found it easier to place my hand in the water with the thumb and all of the fingers entering the water at the same time. The elbow is at 90 degrees away from your little finger with a slight bend in your arm. As your hand enters the water press the hand down and out from the center line of the body (about 3 to 5 lbs pressure per sq inch) very gently for about 6 to 8 inches.
Then you press the hand back towards the center line of the body (at 9 to 12 lbs pressure per sq inch) not applying full pressure and take it to the catch point of your stroke.
When you get to the catch point max it (about 25 lbs per sq inch) keep the hand as close to the body as practical and press down to your thigh.
George swimdownhill.com
I am a very new triathlete on the circuit formerly a very competitive runner. Pretty solid at cycling. Very new (currently horrific!) at swimming. Basically, I just began swimming approximately a month ago after a decade-long absence and am trying to improve as much as possible.
I have the freestyle technique learned to some degree (still much to learn) and have been doing 10 x 100 and longer endurance swims (750 meters at a time). I thought I was going pretty fast (2:00 per 100 meters), but after reading many posts and competitively speaking, it is a large handicap for me in the beginning of the race.
I participated in my first sprint tri a week ago and had a really difficult time adjusting to the breathing of high waves (why did it have to be really windy that day) and ended up breaststroking the whole way. I still placed given my running and cycling, but was almost dead last coming out of the swim.
How much can one improve in their swimming time - is the learning curve extremely high when you are first learning the sport?
What do you suggest in terms of training and technique work - should I get lessons (I just got out of college, so a coach one-on-one is a bit out of the budget). I hope this is not too insane, but I would really like to be under 1:30 by the end of the season or at least by next year's season. Is this possible?
Thanks so much!
Stephanie
"Find a way to get it done."