Yet Another Swimming Question

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2004-04-28 8:41 AM

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Subject: Yet Another Swimming Question
I am fairly new to the swimming portion of tri, and have had some recent success expeanding the distances over which I train. (I am now swimming 900 yards at a time as part of a longer workout. 20 yards over my goal tri distance of 880yards.) My focus has been on breathing and technique, but my speed has not improved at all. In fact, I often feel as if I am moving at a snail's pace.

Does speed automatically improve as one works on endurance, or are there particular things I should focus on to increase speed?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

Bill

2004-04-28 10:13 AM
in reply to: #21683

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Yet Another Swimming Question
Intervals, intervals, intervals! Push hard over shorter distances, then recover, then do it again!
2004-04-28 10:16 AM
in reply to: #21683

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Subject: RE: Yet Another Swimming Question
Bill,

Concentrate on reducing the number of strokes per length. Really stretch and turn your body. If you are currently covering a length in 30 strokes and you can reduce your stroke count to 27 you've just knocked 10% off of your time. Don't try to speed up the stroke rate - in the end you just end up taking more strokes and you are swimming less efficiently.

Tina
2004-04-28 10:21 AM
in reply to: #21683

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Subject: RE: Yet Another Swimming Question
Also check your body position in the water. Many swimmers are slowed down by legs that trail behind them well below waist level. To bring your legs up, make sure your head and chest stay down. Good luck!
2004-04-28 11:38 AM
in reply to: #21683

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Subject: RE: Yet Another Swimming Question
What Tina said is correct.
Swimming is completely different from the other two disciplines in that you can't just train longer and harder to get better. You must start with improving your technique! Rotating your hips and lowering your stroke count are definitely excellent ways to achieve this. There are some masters swim coaches out there that can help, and I also have a list on my website, www.triswimcoach.com.
Either way, your order of focus for swimming should be:
1) Technique
2) Endurance
3) Speed

Good luck,
Kevin
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