After a couple of years in the sport, speed does not necessarily come with more practice or more time. At some point, it takes some big work to make small gains. Thanks to Eggers, I have gotten some feedback on my swim videos, along with a few drills for an improved stroke. It can be hard to incorporate good technique at master's swim when I am just trying to make the interval, so I am going to try make sure I spend some time swimming solo.
Laura has way to much to do at work and sent me an article this week on finger spacing in the swim. I don't think I am quite ready to address finger spacing, but I attached this picture for her analysis, and the article information for those of you who would actually read something like this: Journal of Biomechanics... (Minetti, 42 (2009) 2188-2190).
So, aside from swimming, I have also chosen to address strength this winter/early spring. I have lost muscle with injury and surgery, and I am another injury waiting to happen if I don't gain some strength. I finally bit the bullet and committed to 8 weeks (16 sessions) of personal training in a small group with a very, very affordable rate. Okay, it was dirt cheap. I figured, even if the strength sessions were not geared towards athletes, I could make the most of it and at the very least it would promote consistency with my strength training.
Like my swimming videos, working with a personal trainer (Cato) has given me the opportunity to get some objective feedback. We tested my body fat, which is at an all-time high. Cato was no-nonsense about the whole process- and my fitness is not consistent with my goals. So, it is time to dig a little deeper and start addressing some limiters, or weaknesses, or dials...whatever you call them. :)
We started off week one with baseline strength testing and a training session with plyometrics. At one point I looked at my sister and we both had pain on our faces and could not catch our breaths. I thought- why did I sign up for this torture? Oh yea, I want to improve, and this is what it takes for me. The sessions are killer- and I am hoping the consistency will pay off in a couple of months.
Happy weekend to everyone! I have some sort of stomach bug, so I plan to sleep in a dog pile of 3 big mutts on the couch tomorrow, read Outliers, and watch North by Northwest.
So, aside from swimming, I have also chosen to address strength this winter/early spring. I have lost muscle with injury and surgery, and I am another injury waiting to happen if I don't gain some strength. I finally bit the bullet and committed to 8 weeks (16 sessions) of personal training in a small group with a very, very affordable rate. Okay, it was dirt cheap. I figured, even if the strength sessions were not geared towards athletes, I could make the most of it and at the very least it would promote consistency with my strength training.
Like my swimming videos, working with a personal trainer (Cato) has given me the opportunity to get some objective feedback. We tested my body fat, which is at an all-time high. Cato was no-nonsense about the whole process- and my fitness is not consistent with my goals. So, it is time to dig a little deeper and start addressing some limiters, or weaknesses, or dials...whatever you call them. :)
We started off week one with baseline strength testing and a training session with plyometrics. At one point I looked at my sister and we both had pain on our faces and could not catch our breaths. I thought- why did I sign up for this torture? Oh yea, I want to improve, and this is what it takes for me. The sessions are killer- and I am hoping the consistency will pay off in a couple of months.
Happy weekend to everyone! I have some sort of stomach bug, so I plan to sleep in a dog pile of 3 big mutts on the couch tomorrow, read Outliers, and watch North by Northwest.
2 comments:
In my defense, I regularly ready Journal of Biomechanics for work. Wait, maybe that's not a good defense...
(They have had a few articles on effects of footwear on running, and a bunch of biomechanics of swimming in there recently. I haven't had a chance to read them all yet :)
Your finger spacing the the picture looks PERFECT! Right Laura?
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