Timing of a Private Swim Assessment
Based on the recomendation of a few team members that I trust I'm very serriously considering going to see the head coach from the Chicago Blue Dolphins for a swim assessment and trying to work with him this season.
Thanks to a foot injury from kick sets in fins, I have now been out of the pool for 3 weeks and it will likely be 2-3 more before I start swimming again.
My initial thought is that I should get back in the pool in Feb and do the drills in the EN swim ebook for a while first and then go do the assessment in early March. Giving me March through May to work with the Coach before the tri season gets going. Of course I may have less time available because of the new baby, but I see that as even more of a reason to work with a coach for quality instruction vs volume.
However, I starting thinking that may just bring back my old habits and I might be better to go from not swimming at all for a while and see the coach to get me started on the right foot.
What do you think about how much swimming to do before the assessment and just the overall timing of when to do this in the OS/Season?
Comments
Matt,
I am not a swim guy but your concern of enforcing bad habits it the main point that I would have. If it was me I'd get in the pool a couple times to ensure I could hit a decent workout and the injury was good to go then talk to the coach sooner than later.
While not related in a previous life time I was a figure skater and they would record us doing our jumps beyond the one on one coaching, which was effective when the coach knew what they were doing. The video allowed you to see exactly what you were doing wrong and right. Early on when learing jumps what you felt and what you were doing on camera was totally different on many occasions. I just point this out to reinforce the enforcing bad habits.
With the baby coming, I forget when, you should work this in sooner than later given the low volume right now. Of course this is all dependant on the SAU and effects on your family life before the baby. I don't have kids but the friends that do definiely lacked some sleep (some more and some less depending on the baby) in the first few months. Also I don't know where your family lives but there seems to be a more family visits and relatives dropping in after a baby is born.
Gordon
Get it done right away. No use doing drills for a while if they are not the drills that you need to be doing. Maybe I will actually go have a chat with a swim coach myself. Been meaning to for the last couple of years but you know, who really cares about swimming ...
What ChrisG said. Might as well get it done before you get back in the water.
I think you'll be happy with Fitz!
ditto!! on a much lower level.... I found a master's swimming 2 x week and really my swim endurance was down but the initial visit included a swim video and I had way enough fitness to swim laps for them to get a clip and get the feel of my swimming technique or lack thereof!
over the holidays I had a two week swim break and when I returned was able to do a 500 yard TT without too much problems aerobically. I think we underestimate the engine we have built in there!! anyways, I guess what I am saying is like the rest of the people have said, just as soon as you can, jump on the bandwagon before his schedule or yours changes!! can't emphasize enought how a baby changes things! with sleep and training being juggled. m