Subject: RE: How much swimming improvement is realistic? I think you would be surprised how much improvement you can make swimming. In your workouts, I recommend focusing every stroke on your technique, as that is where a beginning swimmer can make the most improvement. Above all, these three points should make swimming feel easier and greatly improve your efficiency, making you swim faster, easier! 1. High Elbow Catch - when your arm enters the water, try to get close to a 90 degree angle as you pull. You will capture a lot of water with your forearms, and move yourself forward faster. 2. Low Head Position - oftentimes newer swimmers waste seconds and energy lifting their heads out of the water more than is necessary for a breath. In the pool, try to focus on having one goggle in the water and one goggle out of the water. This will put your mouth right at the water line, creating the least drag. 3. Good rotation - As you swim, rotate your hips in coordination with your stroke. You want to be almost completely on the side you are pulling with as you pull. The rotation will improve the power of your pull, and make a lower head position easier. I know as a triathlete you're probably more focused on your bike and run training, but don't count efficient swimming out of the picture! With how much you are going to the pool I believe you can make awesome improvement in your swimming. Best of luck! |