Neil wrote:
Negatives were:
1) I got more out of breath. It felt like the extra extension either took more air out of me or made it more difficult to take in breath because my lungs were being stretched;
2) I didn't seem able to increase my stroke rate while maintaining the extension. I was meant to be doing a 'build' set but couldn't really push the pace much higher.
Just wanted to check if other people have felt the same negatives? And did they pass with time and practice? Just want to check if I'm on the right track or need to be making adjustments.
Anything new is invoking muscles in new ways which they aren't exactly up to the task, so they fatigue. Eventually, you adapt and all is good - providing the change you made is for the better.
If you are extending more, you're going through a longer pull, which will take more time and slow your stroke rate. More important than stroke rate is if you went faster and can you maintain going faster. But you won't exactly know that until you acclimate - the previous point.
I think one can reach too far. It's hard to get propulsion from such an extension. I have actually shortened my stroke to get my hand/arm into the sweet spot of propulsion sooner and more often with quicker turnover. I was recently in an Endless pool with video and the NOVA swim team coach was there and complimented my stroke while suggesting a slight change to my right arm entry - make it a bit shallower. I would have never caught that on my own. Without video, nobody here can tell you if it's too much reach or not enough (or just right). A good coach could tell you, though.
This AM w/o
4x[200s/50k]
5x100@2:00IM 1:22/:19/:18/:19/:20
100k
10x50@:45fr :31~:34
5x50@1:00 br ~:40~:38
150 s/k cool
2500 sc yardages
Proud member of FISHTWITCH: doing a bit more than fish exercise now.