You’re right! I DO see the difference. I did TI about 4 years ago, after I’d been swimming for about 3 years, and it did make a difference… a BIG one. That’s how I learned how to swim on the surface of the water and keep my hips up.
But a good rhythm was never there… at least not compared to the one I’ve discovered with the hybrid stroke. I was taught hybrid about 3 years ago when I took a swim clinic led by Kevin Everett, a local pro in Boise. He is more of a swim specialist and so he explained the three different strokes. But I didn’t have the fitness back then to maintain a hybrid stroke for more than a 100. Plus my breathing wasn’t comfortable enough yet…
One thing I realized that is crucial to the hybrid is being able to take a very short quick breath, without lifting your head AT ALL. You must only rotate it slightly to get the corner of your mouth out, and then get it back under so the “fast” arm can come around for the shoulder drive portion of the stroke.
Also interesting, I’m much faster at this stroke when breathing to the left. Which is interesting, because breathing to the right has always been the more comfortable side to breathe on… (although the last couple years, I hardly notice a difference). But I think it’s because my right arm is my strong arm, and if I’m understanding hybrid correctly, you get more power in your pull from your non-breathing side. So I guess it makes sense.
I just did a 500 during warmup using my new stroke, and I swam 6:30. Before that, I was coming in around 7.
Interestingly enough, Ledecky does look like she semi lifts her head when she breathes.