Hi has anyone came from a non swim background that struggled with there kick managed to get there legs to work in harmony with the rest of the body wile swimming and how did you make the connection. Kicking with a board i can do but cant keep them going when i have to swim. I can’t seem to engage the legs without the rest of stroke falling apart. Any advice would be much appreciated… Cheers
Sean, for some reason your post just really triggered me.
First, please speak respectfully when talking about your legs. Your legs started working a long time before you even thought about triathlon. Second, did you ask your legs nicely to kick in harmony with your upper body? Third, did you put them in a position succeed?
A few ideas: fix your body balance in the water, and your legs might like you more. Chest down. Legs up. Also, maybe you don’t even need your legs to kick while you swim. Kicking is overrated, in my opinion.
This is just my opinion. I haven’t been a good swimmer for going on 20 years, so there’s that.
Triggered you? Lol ill talk about my legs anyway i want I’m more than grateful for them if thats what your trying to imply. Your last comment is exactly why i asked the question i dont want to be 20 years down the road and still not able to kick for shit in the water.
To be serious now, I think body position might be something for you to work on. When you are balanced in the water (both head to toe and side to side), your kick will automatically make more sense. You will understand your place in the water and your legs be there with you, as helpers.
Peace.
To start with, how much are you swimming on a consistent basis?
3 swims a week this past year between 2.4 and 4 k depending on the type of session. I’ve been stuck in and around 1.30 1.35s per 100m pace for a few years. I haven’t managed to get any faster but i am fitter to do those times easier if that makes sense.
Thanks ill work on getting the balance right as i know i have a tendency to tense my neck and lift my head when I’m working hard.
3 swims a week this past year between 2.4 and 4 k depending on the type of session. I’ve been stuck in and around 1.30 1.35s per 100m pace for a few years. I haven’t managed to get any faster but i am fitter to do those times easier if that makes sense.
If you can hold 1:30-1:35 per 100 meters pace for anything over a 100, you are faster than probably 90% of triathlete AG swimmers, kick or no kick!
I found out years ago that my kick added zero propulsion to my swims (same splits whether I kicked or just used a pull buoy without paddles). My swim coach said my kick was only helping my balance, not my speed, so I should learn to minimize my kick to save energy. I converted form a six beat kick to a 2 beat kick (took about 4 weeks to feel natural using the 2 beat kick) and I’ve never looked back.
Calamity
I know who you are just based on that hilarious meta-life meta-swim comment. Too true in too many ways.
Laughing Farmer (a good handle) gave reasonable straight forward advice regarding tri-appropriate and fatigue-resistance type approach. Jason in Halifax seems to know swimming, if I recall correctly from prior posts. I like his name too. Yours is a give-away now.
But “speak respectfully” and ask for consent, followed by "Third, did you put them in a position succeed? "
That is awesome stuff. Body as a tool with a soul. Soul with a body for a tool. Sorry I didn’t find you here sooner. Will talk again soon.
Todd
Todd, I almost plagiarized your “all great swimmers are great kickers; not all great kickers are great swimmers” truism. Whew! That was a close call!!
(I think I said it correctly?)
No more anonymity.
Clu