04/17/03 - Hard 100's

Well, getting the DVDs set up, traveling to CA to film Dave, then to Indy for the Duel in the Pool, I've shirked my swimming for about a month.Getting back in to it, I swam a few times this week, but basically only can remember one well enough to post it here.1,000 warm-up, which was tough enough in itself. HOWEVER, it did give me time to play with some new techniques I've been watching. Not really that new to ALL of swimming, but new to me trying them. Basically, it's a popular way of recoverying the arms, rather than the really low, balanced recovery I've been teaching for a while, but a more straight-arm, swinging type recovery. The funny thing is, even though it looks bad, during warm-up, it seemed to keep the shoulders in a better position to GET warmed up. It just felt better, and LESS strenuous on the shoulders. I'd alternate from stroke to stroke, lap to lap, trying a bit of each, and... well... it's cool. I'm going to keep playing with it.First set was 10 x 100 free on 1:20.WELCOME BACK. Sheesh. I basically just planned on holding 1:15's the whole way through, and just cruising... and that's what I did. I played with the stroke some, but did realize that, it's not as easy when you're tired. Not sure if that's because it just plain is harder to do, or because I don't know what I'm doing.Next was 4 x 250 Pull on 3:30Pretty easy and smooth. when I'm getting back in to it, I love putting on the paddles and just thinking of the body roll. Really reaching out in front, and actually, with the paddles on, the higher overwater recovery seemed to work better. What I learned is that it really helps you think about the catch WAY out front, and your body almost falls right in to it. I think it actually could HELP rotation with certainly athletes, but may not be for everybody. A bunch of 50's kick, and that was it for me. I'm going to try to swim at least 3-4 times a week, and a minimum of 3,000 yards per practice. I've got about 2 months before I have to swim 4.5 miles across the Chesapeake Bay. I need to get in MORE.