Good-bye to the windmill…
Went to a fantastic swim technique session with local coach Lawrence Oldershaw last night. (www.your-coach.co.nz)
Swimming has been a bit of a chore for me this year - when it should be my strength. After attending a RATs swim squad session earlier this year, it became apparent that the swim stroke I had been employing my whole life is now wrong! Apparently swim technique has changed a lot in the past 20 years - which is how long it’s been since I last swam competitively. I was “wind-milling” instead of “gliding” and so the re-learning process begun.
And it’s been a long hard road (or pool) I have to say. It’s really hard to re-learn something that I’ve been doing for so long that it feels as natural as walking. Once I finally got my stroke corrected, I’ve never felt as relaxed or as comfortable in the pool. Every length is usually a bit of a chore and I have to focus on every stroke to make sure I don’t go back to my windmilling ways.
So now that I have a few more laps under my belt (and am up to swimming 2km in each session) I decided it was time to get some more corrections on my stroke. Having obviously had it so wrong, I had very little confidence in my stroke - and I still felt appallingly slow.
I got the kids sorted for dinner, tried to reassure Mike that they would be fine and he wouldn’t have any problems (!!!) and headed out the door.
Great group of people at the swim session. Marcus - with a Taupo Ironman under his belt and one in Australia, he is dedicating this year to getting the technique right, rather than just doing it. Clarrie - doing his first Ironman at Taupo next year - so inspiring, I’ll be there to cheer him on. And a few others. A tight small group - all males apart from me!
We headed off for a few laps under Lawrence’s watchful eye - and the feedback to me was pretty good - in that apparently I wasn’t too bad. The first instruction and drill I received was to swim with my arms straight on the pull through underneath me - what?
“Just give it a try and all will become apparent,” says Lawrence.
Righto.
Completely different feeling - could actually feel my arm muscles doing some work - and was actually going a bit faster, as in keeping up with the boys.
A few laps and drills later and the video camera comes out. Oh happy days - because of course I am feeling my best in my togs! Anyway, a quick look at the video screen and it did all become apparent - I’m not windmilling anymore, but instead of the perfect stroke, my arms head out to the sides instead of straight through. I reminded myself of a frog sculling!
Back to the drills and already a good improvement. I have four drills to take away from the session and to implement in my swim sessions. All good. And so now Lawrence is going to deal with my running technique as well. I’ll be away and laughing in no time! Yeah right!
June 12th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I knew you were awesome but after reading this I am really impressed. I love the work you are putting into you fitness as well as your writing. I look toward to following along with your progress. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
June 12th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Interesting post. That must be hard to relearn your swim stroke after all this time. But it’s good to hear about the coaching and the improvement you feel. I am considering to possibly try and go a few sessions with a swim coach at some point this summer…
June 13th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I so need to learn (or re-learn as it seems) to swim. Jacks your an inspiration my dear! Maybe this Mum of one needs to get off the couch too
June 14th, 2009 at 1:24 am
We think you’re awesome.
Sitting in Sydney having just eaten lots of pizza and drunk quite a lot - well, not Donna, obviously - you’re making us feel laaaazy!
Go girl go!
xxx