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Turby's Swim Micro

Turby WrightTurby Wright
in Coaching Forum 🧢

Patrick, After competing in Kona I had a huge wake up call about my swim! I knew it was bad but after my first non-wetsuit 2.4 mile race it became painfully evident. Giving up 20-30 minutes (my time was 1:36!) to these guys is not sitting so well. I wanted to run my plan by you and ask for any input. My plan is to really focus this winter  on my obvious form flaws the worst of which I believe is sinking legs. I am literally a good 15 sec. faster per 100 yd with a pull buoy or Lava pants. The problem is finding someone, triathlon oriented with video etc. who is really interested in taking on a project like me on an ongoing basis. Was wondering if you had any suggestions and/or know of anyone down here in New Jersey (I'll drive if I have to). As always thanks!!

Comments

  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    Turby checkout Oceancityswim club.org. Bruckner Chase does 1 on 1 lessons and is really good
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Turby, I agree that form is your #1 issue. I think there's good news and bad news. Good news is plenty of low-hanging fruit means you have lots of room to improve and easy gains to make. Bad news is it's a long project.

    Also, let's balance your bike and run studliness that those other guys would kill for. SO...I say phase 1 is a learning project. Please do not lock yourself in a box swimming 20k a week until you get some basic feedback.

    My thoughts:

    1. I would start with total immersion. Simple, but they do weekend clinics and they teach the fundamentals of body position well (we can change your stroke rate later)...plus they have lots of options.

    2. With a clinic under your belt, you can begin the process of building the ability to maintain that form over a few months...we can set 100 / 200 / 500 time goals, etc, to make sure you are on track.

    3. Aim for a 1:1 experience within the last 3 months to your race, ideally weeks 12-8 so you get feedback, get better, then can work on that into race day.

    Ps of course you can go totally 1:1 if you want...but I would rather you have some baseline improvement first!
  • Turby WrightTurby Wright

    @ Rob- Thanks Rob, will check it out.

    @ Patrick- You called it. I was all set to swim every day, 20K a week till it killed me or I got better! Thanks for calming me down. All great suggestions, I'll get started and keep you posted.

  • Patricia RosenPatricia Rosen
    Turby the swim was slow this year due to current... I don't think it was you.
    also, I use Kim Bracken who utilizes the endless pool with mirrors above and below and on side with video. she also trains some of the olympic swimmers... she is not in your area but you can touch base with her regarding folks in your area
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Turby nothing wrong with swimming over the next few months, I don't see the benefit in swimming HARD until you can swim WELL...and swimming well requires an improved learning curve. You have shown that you can do anything when you know what to do, so we have to move swimming into that known column for you!
  • Turby WrightTurby Wright
    I agree, no hard swimming. I think it's pointless. Nothing but totally concentrating on improving form. I've been in touch with a swim coach in South Jersey thanks to Rob Sabo. He sounds like exactly what I need. He has worked with many IM athletes with swim times like mine and was able to help them improve quite a bit. I'm really looking forward to the challenge of improving! My new obsession to drive Carol crazy!
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Woohoo!!!!
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