My Intermediate Swimming Self Would Like to Tell Beginning Swim Self These Things
I'm living the half pro life this week and am spending lots of time in the water. I've had a good week of learning and refining, but here's a list of things I'd love to whisper in the ear of my freaking out beginner swim self.
1. There's a magic river on the top of the water as you swim. You can balance your whole body on it. Even your arm. For reals. Spend time finding it. And when you do, stay in it. That's your tube!
2. Swim on your side. No. More. Do lots of Superman drills. If you stay on your side you won't get water up your nose.
3. You can also make water feel pretty darned solid under the water. That wall people talk about exists.
4. Almost every swim coach you will encounter seems be a kinestetic learner. Instructions like "stretch your arm more" are never going to work for you, Miss Visual Leaner. Get them to clarify -- repeating back in visual language works really well. You also won't believe them until you know and feel what that change is supposed to do.
5. Catch is important. So are you lats. And medially rotating your shoulders to make your arm into a lever to get over that wall that is powered by your stronger muscles (hips, lats)
6. Do your core work. Build hip/body awareness.
7. Spend time learning to breathe. Keep exhaling in the water ALL THE TIME. Breathing in should take no longer than blowing bubbles and feel like a continuous part of the bubble-blowing -- not something separate.
8. Relax.
9. Pay attention to feet and arms that are crossing center lines. They mean something is off.
10. Buy a tempo timer.
Comments
The comments about using your lats, big muscles rings true. Just see the lats on all those Olympic swimmers.
X2 what Pete said. I also find observing a better swimmer helps with the visual. I finally got next to the guy whose hand entry I've been admiring and literally watched his pull under the water ( unbeknownst to him lol) and then copied it today. Totally worked and I felt what Beth is saying so profoundly and was faster with seemingly less effort!
Great Beth! I think you hit every little piece I've put togther and many more more.
I'm with Deb: I've really taken to watching other swimmers as I swim and watching good videos. The best I've seen is this one from swim smooth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3HhNlysFDs
They say watch it everytime before you go swimming, and its really worked for me.
@Rian oh my gosh thank you so much for that clip! I saved it and will def watch it before every swim workout and before my race in 4 weeks! Seriously the guy I watched looks very similar, less kick and not quite the same perfect technique obv but so cool to have this video! YTB!
I like the youtube Rian!
Had to add in my favorite swim video of Karlyn Pipes Neilson swimming freestyle, she makes it look so easy!
I have to add that I also recently picked up a Wetronome/Tempo Trainer and agree it is a great addition/tool.