Hi,
I am just getting back into the sport after 4 years away because of school. I come from a biking/running background, so that is coming back to me quite nicely…but I was never the best swimmer to begin with and now after 4 years out of a pool, I need some help, especially with technique. I can still swim ok, it just isn’t even in the same area code as my biking and running, and would like to balance it out. The problem is, I am extremely busy and don’t have the time to get in with the one local masters swim squad…(They swim very early, when I am doing school stuff, I swim very late.)
So, I’m wondering if there is any good, free online tutorials and webpages that deal with proper swim form/technique. I’m looking to absorb as much as possible on the subject at this point.
I tried for 10 years the reading, asking questions, doing it on my own, no improvement.
Got into masters, and it made all the difference in the world!!! If you really really
want to improve, you will figure out a way.
Probably the entire message board is going to disagree with me here, but I’m going to say it anyway.
I’m in the same boat as far as swimming abilities vs. biking/running. Even though swimming is more technique-intensive than the land-based sports, I still believe that if you just put in the time and distance, that is how you are going to see most of your improvement. So if you want to get good (maybe not great, but good) at swimming, just go to the pool and swim your ass off. Swim as much as you possibly can. For a while this will mean you’ll have to reduce your bike and run training, since you are busy, but if you’re like me, it will probably be worth it.
You’ll figure out a lot of it by yourself - the one thing I hear over and over is that swimming is about your “feel” for the water - I don’t think there’s any way to do that except to just get in the water and swim.
I also agree with time in the pool. I found good info/links in the training section of slowtwitch.
I read a post by Mike Ricci (multisport coach) who made a great point…I’ll summarize.
Doing drills can be beneficial, but without feedback (a coach watching), how do you know if you are doing the drill properly. This goes along with the saying that practice doesn’t make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect. Repeating drills incorrectly only reinforces incorrect technique.
Those who are around 30min for 1500m can benefit more from just swimming more. I have been trying this lately and feel better in the water. I took months off from swimming over the winter and increasing my time in pool made a big difference. Start easy, build weekly and keep it up, you’ll get back in the groove shortly.