I have been swimming off and on for about 6-7 years now (started at 19, now I am 26). First, I used it as exercise, but the past 4 or so years, I have been trying to improve since I wanted to get into triathlons. When I finally got the "hang of it", I could swim a half mile non-stop in 27 minutes. Last year, I really got serious since I signed up for Ironman Florida, and I managed to get this down to 17.5 minutes, while also being able to swim the requisite 2.4 miles non-stop (in about 1hr 40 minutes). This was all without any drill work, just plain old swimming. After a really weak Ironman swim, and my constant research, I have learned that many people emphasize drill work. So, since last December, all I have been doing is focusing on balance drills (side kick and such). It took me a while until I could even do these properly. In fact, I have made significant improvements in my abilities to perform the drills and have started trying to do actual workouts. This is where I am at currently, which I have based on the advice given on www.cruciblefitness.com :
5' warm-up (I get in about 250 yards)
4 x 25yd sprint w/ 30" rest (I can do these at about 20-22 secs a piece)
2 x 50yd Add-ups (I usually take about 34-35 strokes, and it takes me 54-55 seconds)
250yds Side Kick (alternating left and right every 25 yds)
250 yds Side Kick Change (alternate left and right every 6 kicks)
250 yds Side Kick w/3 switches (on side for six kicks, then three pulls and end up on opposite side)
50yd easy swim
4 x 25yd sprint w/ 30 rest (takes about 18-20 sec)
2 x 50yd Add-ups (I usually take about 32-33 strokes, and it takes me 52-54 seconds)
5' cool down (around 250 yds)
This whole routine takes me an hour, and I have been doing variations of this for a month or so now.
Is this going to help me down the road? The biggest thing I notice is that I have become very comfortable doing the drills. I feel very streamlined, and I never struggle to breathe, I have much better balance than before. However, I feel like I have trouble translating this balance to my swimming. I feel very comfortable and streamlined for 25 yards, then I start to fall apart after that. I feel like my breathing is very ackward.
Has anyone out there with a similar background to me used a similar method and achieved success with it? At what point did you start to swim more and drill less? I am starting to feel comfortable with the drills, but no more comfortable swimming, should I start trying to perform more swimming in between my drill sets? Thanks for the help,
Jack
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"What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind and body can achieve; and those who stay will be champions."
5' warm-up (I get in about 250 yards)
4 x 25yd sprint w/ 30" rest (I can do these at about 20-22 secs a piece)
2 x 50yd Add-ups (I usually take about 34-35 strokes, and it takes me 54-55 seconds)
250yds Side Kick (alternating left and right every 25 yds)
250 yds Side Kick Change (alternate left and right every 6 kicks)
250 yds Side Kick w/3 switches (on side for six kicks, then three pulls and end up on opposite side)
50yd easy swim
4 x 25yd sprint w/ 30 rest (takes about 18-20 sec)
2 x 50yd Add-ups (I usually take about 32-33 strokes, and it takes me 52-54 seconds)
5' cool down (around 250 yds)
This whole routine takes me an hour, and I have been doing variations of this for a month or so now.
Is this going to help me down the road? The biggest thing I notice is that I have become very comfortable doing the drills. I feel very streamlined, and I never struggle to breathe, I have much better balance than before. However, I feel like I have trouble translating this balance to my swimming. I feel very comfortable and streamlined for 25 yards, then I start to fall apart after that. I feel like my breathing is very ackward.
Has anyone out there with a similar background to me used a similar method and achieved success with it? At what point did you start to swim more and drill less? I am starting to feel comfortable with the drills, but no more comfortable swimming, should I start trying to perform more swimming in between my drill sets? Thanks for the help,
Jack
---------------------------------------------------------
"What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind and body can achieve; and those who stay will be champions."