My big problem was being able to swim the distance without gasping. Now, I can swim the distance with an good breathing pace (this by the way seems miraculous to me). However, I am slow. I do about 28-30 second per 25yrd lengths. What is the most effective way to increase speed?
One word: Form
do you have a local masters group/ coach you can swim with ?
You have to get it down so you can swim 25y down to 16 to 18 seconds. When I raced sprints it was down under 10 sec. with a dive. Lots of work ahead. You have to get some help a coach.
Work on repititions at higher speeds with lots of rest time, rest as long as it takes to swim the 25y eg. 25y, in 25 sec, rest 25 sec then repeat, repeat, repeat. when it becomes easy, drop the rest time by 5 sec, then work on dropping your swim times, then rest times.
It is nice when you can do 25 x 25 on 25.
When you can count all the tiles at the bottom of the pool you will be faster. Patience and consistency is one of the most important elements in Tri training. Stick with it and be patient, concentrate, work also on form and not just speed, smooth is fast, fast is smooth. I read that in here. I'm plagiarizing. I also give myself this advice because I'm so slow.
Good luck, and keep on triing
Blitz
I agree with Blitz in sticking with it. I have been swimming for about a year now and have gone through some very frustrating times. I probally read these swimming posts more than any other posts in here and in addition i am always watching the free videos on the net. Just last week through all my perseverance I was able to knock off about 15 sec from my 100m time just from a change in my technique. It felt great to check my watch and see the drop in time as well as the way I felt moving through the water. Definetley keep up the work and use every resource you can find. Stay motivated!!! Good Luck!!
[QUOTE=bluebirdbiker]One word: Form[/QUOTE]
That really sums it up. Before you can be fast you have to be smooth and efficient. Work on drills to better your position/balance - then work on drills for the stroke etc. I am still kinda slow - but I was dreadfully slow - I worked and continue to work on "perfecting" my form and technique. It is great to see the seconds shed away - It will happen - just takes a lot of time in the pool. Just work on one thing at a time. Do a time trial every few weeks to check on your progress.
[QUOTE=edubb]I agree with Blitz in sticking with it. I have been swimming for about a year now and have gone through some very frustrating times. I probally read these swimming posts more than any other posts in here and in addition i am always watching the free videos on the net. Just last week through all my perseverance I was able to knock off about 15 sec from my 100m time just from a change in my technique. It felt great to check my watch and see the drop in time as well as the way I felt moving through the water. Definetley keep up the work and use every resource you can find. Stay motivated!!! Good Luck!![/QUOTE]
Do you know where there are free swim videos on the net? I've seen the TI ones a number of times, and while short, they are great at showing you good form.
These are a few of the sites I had saved on my PC. If you go through the old swim posts you can find some more. Enjoy!
[url]http://buehlerbluemarlins.net/videos.html[/url]
[url]http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/jeff8.htm[/url]
[url]http://eliteswimming.com/free.shtml[/url]
Good videos there. Thanks!
I love watching Thorpe swim. That guy looks ridiculously smooth in the water.
Thorpe and Hackett are the best to watch.
Check out total immersion.
When swimming don't do the same thing everyday.
On one day do intervals. For example - do a few hundred of warm ups and form drills. Then do 10X100. I like to do them on 2:00, meaning I leave every 2:00. So if I swim a 100 in 1:25, I get :35 rest. If I swim it in 1:30, I get :30 rest. Then do 10x50s. Then warm down.
On another day do a 3000 yard swim (or whatever) without stopping. Nice and slow endurance.
On another day do a few hundred of warm up or drills and then do a countdown swim: 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100. Do each set on a descending 100 pace. For example, start out at 1:35 per hundred (or whatever) and end with a 1:25 hundred (or whatever).
On another day work only on drills.