Yesterday I went to my favourite (150yd outdoor) pool and did an easy 2k non-stop. During the last 200m or so, I noticed that my ankles were getting somewhat sore. I’m a nearly 100% “pull set” swimmer in that I hardly kick at all. My leg movement is more a result of body roll than any sort of a kick, with the exception of a little fly kick when I need to get in front of someone off the wall.
Anyone every experience this? Swimmers/coaches that might know wtf is going on?
Thanks,
First, I think if you have the time you should try to work on your kick. A strong kick can provide a great propulsion boost while you’re swimming. In two seasons of doing kick sets most every practice, I went from hardly being about to make 100y kicks on a 2:00 interval to being able to make 10x100y kick on 1:30. My freestyle during that time improved dramatically as I could get good speed out of my legs without working very hard (that’s where the training comes in…).
However, I also love pulling. TYR catalyst paddles are one of the greatest swimming toys ever
Anyways, are you doing anything differently when you push off the wall? Your ankles might get sore if, for example, you’re flipping too far out and not getting a good foot plant on the wall, just kind of running into it after you start pushing with your legs. Maybe you missed a few turns going into that last 200m?
Unrelated: where on earth did you find a 150y outdoor pool? I want one too… :o)
I know this without even looking at Khai’s info…Vancouver, BC is the spot. Kits Pool is open all summer and is about 130+ metres long. Going there tonight…
Wow, that’s awesome. The jealousy is killing me right now. I have to go jump in the lake to get away from 14 strokes, flip, 14 strokes, flip, etc. I wonder if a pool that long could get a little wavy when the wind picks up…
It’s especially awesome when it’s 27 C like today!! Unfortunately, I’m new to the “tri” thing and so am unable to fully appreciate the length. Only in my third week of swim training (I’m a cyclist) so 130 metres seems a little too long at times to me. But it’s definitely better than being inside!
You do use your ankles in a different way when you swim from how you use them when you run or ride your bike. So, it would not be surprising to have sore ankles if you have not done much swimming before. It’s kind of like having sore knees from running too much. The only problem with my hypothesis is that this ankle use is related to kicking, and you say that you don’t do much. Trying to think through this problem further, maybe it’s because you are trying to keep your feet relatively stable as you are not doing much with them. That might be putting an unusual new strain on your ankles as well.
Good luck, and it would be great to have a pool that long to swim in here.
errr…I think you mixed up Khai and myself. I’m the cyclist who can’t swim, Khai’s the swimmer with sore ankles.
But you’re right it’s a great pool!
I guess that does away with my new to swimming and having overuse problems theory. I don’t have a clue why his ankles are sore then.
Wow… Someone called me a swimmer! Obviously because we’ve never met. 
In reference to the other poster(s), I suppose I really should work on my kick. I just hate doing kick sets. It’s not right for something that moves me so slowly through the water to be so damn tiring. Really, it isn’t. Besides, that’s what wetsuits are for - right?
I guess it’s time for some swim coaching. It’s been time for a while, but now it’s “really” time.
PS - Kits pool is 137.5m