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Click to view Reeb29's profile Amateur
Reeb29
29 posts since
Nov 13, 2007

Jul 31, 2008 5:52 PM

Long time swimmer but just realized I must have a weak stroke for tri-athalon

I've been swimming since I was small so over 30 yrs, I thought I was pretty quick for the average guy, but I need to be faster than normal. I'm wanting to do a tri-athalon and evidently my swimming sucks compared to everyone elses. I'm not planning on winning or anything I just don't want to completely embarrass myself. Is there any training tips anyone can give me? I think I'm not picking my arms up high enough and attacking the next stroke but not sure. Any websites or videos anyone can give on the appropriate stroke for long distance swim, I was trying the side stroke and I got that totally messed up I think. Yes, I am a noobie at this, well kinda sounds dumb I know how to swim but a noobie for the fastest approach. Swallowing my pride. Please help. Thanks
Click to view CCybele's profile Rookie
CCybele
4 posts since
Jul 10, 2008
1. Aug 5, 2008 7:06 PM in response to: Reeb29
Re: Long time swimmer but just realized I must have a weak stroke for tri-athalon

Hey-- I TOTALLY relate. Have been swimming since I was teeny and only just learned how useless my stroke is. Try http://www.totalimmersion.net/

I watched their video, read an article about them in recent triathlete mag, and conincidentally read about them in a women's tri book and came to the huge conclusion that a) I've been wasting a lot of my energy in the water and b) its very easy to correct, via trying while doing laps/distance and feeling a HUGE difference in speed, efficiency, and rate of fatigue. Good luck!

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Click to view Active Sara's profile Active.com Staff
Active Sara
1,015 posts since
Oct 2, 2007
2. Aug 6, 2008 8:24 AM in response to: CCybele
Re: Long time swimmer but just realized I must have a weak stroke for tri-athalon
Hey Reeb29,

How are you? I work here in the community for Active and I actually realized a similar thing when swimming with some of my friends who compete in triathlons. My stroke isn't up to par! I always thought my legs were my weakness and my arms were my strength, but it turned out my arms needed a lot of work too. I haven't done a triathlon yet due to some back injuries I endured during college but I've learned a lot about swimming technique by working at active. Hopefully I'll be able to do a tri soon once I get everything rehabbed and ready to endure such activity. Anyway, I went through some of our information we have on and off the site that might be of some interest to you.

Good luck! Let me know how things go. 

Sara

P.S. I just realized this is about to be a looooong post!


Here is an article on how to improve strength in the shoulders: http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/3_Exercises_to_Strengthen_the_Shoulders.htm

Dave Scott, Six-Time Ironman World Champion has a lot of great videos for triathlon and swimming in general. Here are some that might be helpful for you.

Efficient Swimming:

Top Three Swim Drills:

Triathlon Kicking Drills:

Tips for Open Water Swim


Good luck!

Sara

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Click to view Reeb29's profile Amateur
Reeb29
29 posts since
Nov 13, 2007
3. Aug 6, 2008 4:41 PM in response to: Active Sara
Re: Long time swimmer but just realized I must have a weak stroke for tri-athalon
Hey CCybele and Active Sara thank you both for your replies and I looked at both of your sites and the videos and I'm definately going to try that later this week. I'm glad I've been doing it wrong (less efficiently) for years and years. Good luck Sara on your recovery and when you do you tri-ath. Good luck to you both.
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Click to view nelsterpa's profile Rookie
nelsterpa
1 posts since
Feb 28, 2008
4. Aug 8, 2008 10:30 AM in response to: Reeb29
Re: Long time swimmer but just realized I must have a weak stroke for tri-athalon

I was a competitive swimmer in High School and after a 25 year lay-off decided to start competing in triathlons last year. I was a very fast sprinter and competed in the 50/100 free as well as 100 breast. When I started training for triathlons it became evident that my stroke was ineffective when it cvame to sustaining a high rate of speed over distance. The following is a list of corrections that I made that helped me become an effective triathlon swimmer. (usually in the top 10% of swimmers in an event)


1. Front quadrant swimming- By swimming in the front quadrant your legs are pulled towards the surface lowering your overall resitance. (See Iam Thorpe videos)

2. Body Position- Swim slowly 35-45 stroke per minute and focus on cutting through the water. ( See Poppov training technique)

3. Maximize distance per stroke-

4. Find your optimum cadence- see drills for cadence training.

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Click to view Active Sara's profile Active.com Staff
Active Sara
1,015 posts since
Oct 2, 2007
5. Aug 11, 2008 11:42 AM in response to: nelsterpa
Re: Long time swimmer but just realized I must have a weak stroke for tri-athalon
Great info, nelsterpa!
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