Things continue to 'click' in the pool. I watched some videos on the drills that we did last week right before I left for last night's swim session and I think it really helped me keep it present in my mind.
Here is a video again using a 'contraption' which is not my point. I like this video because it helps you to really see the hip rotation and 'snap'. When I first started working on rotation I focused on rotating my hips out of the way - all well and good, but after watching some videos and reading some stuff I started 'snapping' my hips more the use my core to power my arms a bit. I went to a swim clinic recently and the coach used the symbolism of a boat. If you want to get a boat moving with out a motor you rock it back and forth to create the motion. The same is true in swimming. I was really surprised at the ease of the stroke when I focused on SNAPPING my hips and using them to power my stroke. I could tell when I was getting tired and stopped focusing on this. I started to feel like I was DRAGGING myself with my arms again.
And, of course, it wouldn't be a 'youtube swim watching session' without a little Michael Phelps, right? So I found a video of him at multiple angles and the first thing I noticed was the position of his arm during his pull. The last two weeks I've had bad shoulder pain and my right shoulder felt like it was going to separate. I chalked it up to lifting too heavy and tweaking my stroke and figured my body would acclimate, but it wasn't. So I noticed that through is pull his arm actually comes UNDER his body. I think I was trying too hard to maintain the high elbow position and the wide arm and was pulling WAY TOO FAR OUT! You know I'm not expert so if I AM SUPPOSED to continue doing that please let me know in the comments below. I changed my pull to be more like (er, resemble kinda sorta) the one Phelps does here and I'll be damned if my shoulders didn't feel better by the end of the first 25 w/ this modification!
CRAP I can't embed this video.. been turned off on YouTube. So you'll have to click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax77_hHq9Dc
Please share your favorite swim tips or drills in the comments below. What makes things CLICK for you!?
And one quick thing. I ordered some samples of TriSwim the other day... partly in the interest of checking out the sponsor for Team Trakkers and partly because I had heard such good things about it. I gotta tell ya! THAT STUFF WORKS! I can always smell the chlorine on me and feel the itch even the day after the workout. (wears off just in time for the next workout!) The shampoo, conditioner, bodywash and lotion all had a pleasant (not overwhelming) smell and they WORKED! Left my skin smooth and with no itch. I didn't smell the chlorine right after my shower, but knew that my husband "the nose" would be the true test. I stand next to someone eating garlic and I get accused of eating a whole raw bulb of it for lunch. NOT KIDDING! I put my hair in his face when I got home from the pool and he told me he couldn't smell ANY chlorine. Now that's amazing. You can go to their website and order a sample to check it out yourself if you don't believe me! :D
That is really interesting. I've never heard of snapping your hip like that. I'll have to try it out next time (if my hips can even DO any snapping at this point). That's cool that you got a sample from triswim, I've been wanting to try the stuff too so maybe I'll go get myself a sample. :)
ReplyDeleteThe problem with learning how to swim by copying Michael Phelps is that he does not have an efficient stroke. He is fast because of his intense training that started at an early age--and he has abnormally flexible ankles.
ReplyDeleteYou can learn more about efficient swimming at www.somaxsports.com. Look under 'Camps','Sports'and 'Clients and Testimonials' in the left column.
I really like this post. Thanks for the boat rocking analogy. I realize now that my hip rotation basically is terrible and I am losing out on a lot of propulsion.
ReplyDeleteHey Jon... good to see you over here on 'my side'. :)
ReplyDelete))))))).. thanks for the resource!!! That's why i love me some comments!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I tried the hip thing today and it did actually make a big difference! Keep em coming!
ReplyDeleteLaura - thanks for the video and the training tip. Great visual images which are so important since I am swimming on my own and obviously can't see myself but now I can imagine it.
ReplyDeleteTriSwim BTW is the absolute best stuff. I bring the conditioner with me on race day and put it in my hair once the race is done and it helps so much with that drying out feeling. Great product.