I basically learned to swim three years ago when I started triathlons. I eventually took a Total Immersion course that helped a lot. In a number of recent races, the swim event was my strongest compared to my age group.
Like many swimmers who take Total Immersion, I developed a leisurely stroke with a bit of a glide. I could paddle along fast enough to do a sub 72 minute Ironman split without working hard at all.
The problem is that I have finally realized that during the "glide" I am pushing down with my extended straight arm in order to give me some "lift" to make it "easier" to breathe. This motion puts a major strain on the shoulder. In my case it weakened an already abused shoulder and resulted in surgery last year. My recovery has been excellent and I am back in the pool with no pain.
Unfortunately I still have no real swim stroke. I am falling back into the same style. My breathing is poor even with the cheating. I think I don't get a full breath, as a result I quickly run out of air if I try alternate side breathing.
I have gone back to the initial TI drills, and my balance seems pretty poor. These drills are a step in the right direction.
Are their any swimmers out there that can tell me what drills I should be doing to fix this stroke problem?
Like many swimmers who take Total Immersion, I developed a leisurely stroke with a bit of a glide. I could paddle along fast enough to do a sub 72 minute Ironman split without working hard at all.
The problem is that I have finally realized that during the "glide" I am pushing down with my extended straight arm in order to give me some "lift" to make it "easier" to breathe. This motion puts a major strain on the shoulder. In my case it weakened an already abused shoulder and resulted in surgery last year. My recovery has been excellent and I am back in the pool with no pain.
Unfortunately I still have no real swim stroke. I am falling back into the same style. My breathing is poor even with the cheating. I think I don't get a full breath, as a result I quickly run out of air if I try alternate side breathing.
I have gone back to the initial TI drills, and my balance seems pretty poor. These drills are a step in the right direction.
Are their any swimmers out there that can tell me what drills I should be doing to fix this stroke problem?