After only a few days of Total Immersion swimming in the Arizona sun my swimming efficiency has improved dramatically! I was basically a splashing rock before this week, and the only reason that I didn’t drown was because of my high level of fitness that I’ve built through CrossFit and other sports that I’ve been playing. I’ve started to learn how to keep my weight forward and stay higher in the water so I can glide more efficiently. The other interesting thing that I learned is that if you’re a triathlete you shouldn’t be using much of your legs. The first reason is that you can kick all you want but your legs really aren’t going to take you very far, and the second reason is that the swim is the shortest portion of any triathlon and the biking and running both require the use of your legs. So doesn’t it make sense to save your legs (which aren’t going to be helping much anyway) for the bike and run portion of your triathlon? I certainly think so!
There are a number of things that you can practice to make yourself a better swimmer. Here are a few things that I think I can describe in text. The statue of liberty drill involves pausing each stroke in the form of the statue of liberty with one arm out in front of you and the other arm at your side. You just take a short pause in this position between each stroke to overemphasize the glide. This a because you’re going to move through the water much farther during your glide than during your pull through. During this drill you can also kick your brains out in an effort to tire your legs and use them less when you get to the workout portion of your swim. Another great drill is to either get the swimming straps that will keep your legs from being able to kick (they hold your ankles together) or just holding your legs completely still and trying to swim without your legs sinking. Here’s a link to the Speedo Pulling Ankle Locks. This is very hard and I haven’t come close to mastering it :-). There are a bunch of other great drills that you can find by search for Total Immersion on YouTube. I would also recommend checking out the Total Immersion swimming site and consider hiring an instructor. It’s really amazing what a great instructor can teach you in a short amount of time! If you’re in NYC I would recommend you contact Greg Close at www.TriBy3.com, and if you’re not in NYC you should still contact Greg and ask him who he recommends in your neck of the woods. If I find any coaches in other areas of the country I will be sure to let you know about them.
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