I’m planning to do a podcast next week where I will be answering questions from newsletter subscribers and listeners to the Tri Swim Coach podcast. Please post your question in the comments section below, and I’ll be sure to answer you! Swimming-related questions are best but I’ll give other topics a shot too.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
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[...] to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!On this podcast, I answer listener questions from my latest blog post comments: stroke technique, speed, cold water, total immersion, and [...]
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When I bring my arms back on the pull I have been told the right hand crosses over behind my rear on the left and visa versa, how can I correct this to where my arm is coming straight back? Am I over rotating perhaps, or bringing the arm back to far etc….
Thank you,
Randy Rogers
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Do you have any suggestions for open water swim drills? I’d like to get more practice with sighting when you can’t rely on the black line on the bottom of the pool. Thank you :)
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I have been learning to swim during the last two years, mainly thro’ I/Net and going to swimming pool and spending 30-40 mts , 3-4 days a week. I can swim Freestyle for 15 metres comfortably and Breast stroke for 20 metres.But i am terribly slow. In half an hour I would swim 200 metres with breaks in between.
Thanks and Regards,
Suseela
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I have a history of competitive swimming and consider myself to be a strong swimmer. I recently completed my first triathlon (yay!) and going in to it, the swim was the least of my worries. The morning of the race, I got into the water and it was SO COLD that I was unable to put my head under without it taking my breath away. The swim quickly turned into my biggest concern because I could not breathe. I ended up doing the entire race backstroke (embarrassing, but I have a history of racing backstroke so it worked!)
My question is, if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have a wetsuit and the water is cold enough to take your breathe away, what are the best tips or tricks to getting used to the water/warmed up so that you are able to complete the swim – not doing backstroke?
Thank you!
Allison
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hey Kevin,
When you are coaching open water-sighting, do you find more success coaching the sighting eyes up before stroke cycle or after? Also, what’s your advice for drafting in big wave ocean swims?
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It seems like I only have one race pace, be it a .25 swim or a half iron distance race. Any tips on learning to differentiate paces for short and longer races?
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I often bike 12 miles to work, ride to the pool at work, swim and then head home. So not only do I have to change clothes at work for work, but I also have to change in to jammers, so the chlorine don’t ruin my tri shorts. After my swim, I put back on the tri shorts and head home for my bike/run.
Are there any triathlon clothing for the swimming pool?
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What’s your take on Total Immersion for triathlon specific swimming? Any advantages/disadvantages vs more “traditional” methods?
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As a relatively new triathlete that hadn’t swam since I was a teenager (now 46 years old) the endurance is not an issue but speed is a challenge. What is the best Drills for some one in this category to gain speed both short term and long term? As an irondistance triathlete time is a premium so I am looking for the highest ROI.
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Kevin,
I started swimming in February and feel I have gotten much better form and speed. The major challenge I have now is endurance any suggestions on building endurance in the pool. My bike and run seem to be fine.
Thank you,
Nolan
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COACH I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY BREATHING. I CAN SWIM TO ONE SIDE OF THE POOL BUT, I GET TIRED TO SWIM BACK. ARE THERE ANY ON LAND DRILLS THAT I CAN USE TO BE A STRONGER SWIMMER. DONT KNOW IF IT’S TECHNIQUE OR WHAT. I REALLY WANT TO MASTER SWIMMING BECAUSE I LOVE TO SWIM. PLEASE HELP ME COACH THANK YOU KENNETH
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Please cover the different kick techniques and when a certain kick would be appropriate under specific conditions (i.e., sprints, long-distance, breaking surf, current, and so forth). Thank you.
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If you have a plus figure for your ape factor (i.e. your body width is longer than your length) then your distance moved per stroke will be greater than if you have a minus ape factor. With a plus ape factor would you use a higher arm rate turnover AND shorten your stroke length a little to get better efficiency? This is what “appears” to be going on when watching the pros in open water swimming.
jk
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Hi Kevin,
After a clinic with you and some masters lessons, I found that my swimming has improved in recent months. That said, I have a lot of room for technical improvement. Like many triathletes with a non-swimming background, rotation and balance have been a challenge.
While I am slowly working on bilateral breathing, most of my training (and all racing) is done breathing to the right. I am starting to feel better about my stroke and rotation to my breathing side, but my left (non-breathing) side stroke feels rather rather weak…and the rotation doesn’t seem to be balanced (full). I have experimented with a two beat kick to help drive the off-side rotation and this seems to help. Am I on the right track here, or do you have any other suggestions? Thanks.
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A friend of mine ties herself up by her shoes in her backyard pool with a bungy cord. I’ve tried it, it seems detrimental to form. Your thoughts?
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How does someone who has been afraid of the water their whole life get comfortable in the water,I started swimming for the first time in my life a year and a half ago but just cant get it,I just cannot get my breathing to relax.
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I have a question please please clear up the ideal head position. I have been told if I put my chin on my chest my legs will rise and I can breath in the pocket at my shoulder looking back. I have also been told, I should have my face pointing in the direction I am going and that when I turn my head to the side there will be a pocket of air caused by the wave, from my head and I should breath here..( apparently this is what popov did?) I am actually comfortable with either but the one to the shoulder feels easier, while head to the front seems to be what the majority of people do…..
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I love doing sprint triathlons but I am relatively new to them (having done 4 total now) am not a “cardio-monster” and still struggle with the swim and lack of time/opportunity to train. So in reality I end up doing some breaststroke/Sidestroke during the swim phase no matter what as I get my breath back for a few minutes. I am following the drills and working hard to go full freestyle the whole way, but welcome all breaststroke or sidestroke advise that you can offer in the meantime to help me improve with my swim times. And to all hardcore swimmers I apologise for the newbie question! :-)
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Besides more open water swimming, which is not really available in my area, how would you suggest someone become more comfortable with the mass start in open water? I’ve had a panic attack every time I’ve swam in an open-water race because of the crowd and the muddy water. It has slowed me down significantly because I’m wasting so much energy swimming with my head above water for the first 50-100 yards.
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I’m new to swimming. How is the best way to exhaul under water?
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I’ve heard a few times recently that the reason for the high elbow during the pull phase of the swim stroke is not for power by activating the larger lats muscles but for drag reduction on the upper arm. Below is one of the websites that i read it on. Their example of how to test the amount of drag your get from your arm is pretty weak in my opinion.
The reason that this doesn’t make sense to me is that while you’re swimming you’re constantly moving forward while you arm is moving back, so the front of your arm is not receiving any friction but the back of your arm is. But you don’t want to reduce friction on the back of your arm since that it what’s helping to grab the water and propel you forward. Am I missing something?
http://www.theraceclub.net/aqua-notes/10-swimming-myths-debunked%E2%80%93myth-4/
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With regards to swimming catch up,I was always taught to wait until both hands are together in front before pulling through for a stroke but I noticed in your DVD that one of your drills is a 3/4 catch up, can you clear this up ,thanks
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When doing the freestyle stroke it seems to me that I am not covering that much distance per stroke, I am doing 23 strokes per 25 meters.How to correct this? How to be faster in free ?
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Hi Kevin
I am love swimming but one thing keeps getting to me after the swim. Wether I am training in open water or a pool I get very disoriented when I get out of the water almost like vertigo. I breathe ever third stroke, I can’t breath every stroke or I get really bad form from digging too deep. Its pretty bad when your entering the transition with almost no idea which way is up or down. Any tips?
I have a Second question about training young triathletes, we have a tri club at the high school I teach at. What is the best way to train kids (14-18) to simulate open water from lane swimming? I have been working with them to circle swim the pool as a group and we train without lane ropes to simulate the washing machine any other suggestions? Most of my kids are excellent competitive Swimmers what should I work on with their form to move to open water?
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Hi Kevin,
I’ve found your podcast and newsletters very helpful. I’ve heard you talk a lot about balance etc … I’m new to swimming and I’m training for a sprint in August. I’ve been running for years and I’m pretty lean so I sink! Any suggestions to help me propel across the water faster? I feel like I’m swimming in place!
Thanks!
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I self taught myself to swim all the stokes in the medley . My question is I have swam for 6 years now and can swim freestyle forever most have done nonstop
Has been 1600 m just because stopped swimming not because ad to. Takes me about 25 minutes to swim this distance . No matter what I do I cannot swim fast for 50 meter races I have been first Place bronze in summer league only . I have endurance but not speed . I seem to get faster as my swimdistance increases during the swim. Like I get in a rhythm. How can I swim faster for 2 to 4 length of the pool swims? I have also lost my rhythm on the butterfly , you know the one where you fee like you are skipping across the top of the water. I am a 43′year old female
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Hi Kevin,
I am a female triathlete with very low body fat. I struggle getting warmed up in pools (esp during the winter time) to the point where I am so focused on how cold I am that I am not able to think about the workout itself. Any recommendations on ways to warm up?
Thanks!
Libby
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Kevin,
When should my hand exit the water when racing ? I have heard that the longer / further back I can sustain my pull in turbulent water the more I will get out of my pull. True? This would be for olympic distance to 70.3 as I am sure it differs for the length of the swim.
Also is it best to draft directly behind the feet of a swimmer or off of the hip?
Thanks, Giles
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I have to swim 4000m in the ITU long course world championships in November. I’m used to doing like 3000m workouts for half ironman triathlons- how should I begin to change workouts to be good at being fast for a long distance?
Thanks Kevin!
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Kevin,
What are some drills that would help with getting a higher turnover rate – while keeping good form and breathing?
Thanks in advance!
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Hi Kevin,
I am in Module 3 of your triswimsecrets course and really enjoying it. My comfort in the water has definitely improved, though not necessarily my speeds. I have difficulty scheduling the time for your longer workouts, those over 2200m or so. I have been getting through by dividing them in two, doing the drills one day and the main set another. If the swim sessions need to be kept under 1 hour how would you recommend adjusting your workouts.
Garth
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Exactly where should the EYES be looking? Down, slightly ahead and in front, where?
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Hi Kevin… Just a quick scenario – In just my second triathlon earlier on April 25 2011, I swam in waters that were C18.4 degrees as it had just finished raining. I got acclimatised quickly, but when the horn was blown, I swam really well for about 50m and then my goggles got fogged out pretty quick even though they were ‘anti-fog google lenses’. I continued on nonetheless and actually finished 2 mins later than my previous PB in the ‘enticer (250m swim, 10km ride, 2.5km run). And, my swimming suddenly changed from freestyle to a life-saving swim sideways that actually got my body to I didn’t really have a wetsuit on, only a trisuit.
a) What should I do in the future if I have to swim in a very cold lake/ or cold water?
b) What should I do if I do not have the stamina to swim the full length of the course and I just switch to a “plan b swim stroke? I look forward to the next podcast!
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Kevin,
Your coaching tips are great.. Thanks..
A couple of questions for you:
Equipment:
1. Where can I buy perscription lenses foro my goggles?
2. What can I do to keep the lenses from fogging?
Swim Techniques:
1. Does training with a wet suit improve or reduce the core muscle workout?
2. Does using vasaline on hands and feet help retain body warmth in cold OWS?
3. How important is the “glide” stroke vs fast arm speed in Freestyle?
4. Is bilateral breathing critical to swimming in a straight line (OWS)
5. Which of the following are priority training drills: Catch up stroke, breathing every stroke on alternate sides.
6. What is an ideal distance for a one hour swim… 2,500…3,000 or 3,500 yards..
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Hello Kevin, Thanks for the great Podcast you do. I hope to find a “tri-bike” podcast as enjoyable and focused on biking as your podcast is on swimming while not forgetting they are 1/3rd of triathlon. I am very much a newbie with only 1 sprint distance race under my belt and already know that I’d really like to get faster in the water. I believe the answer is in what your podcast keeps referring to as the high elbow catch. The problem is, I am a monkey see monkey do kind of guy and I don’t think I’m translating what I hear on the podcast into what I am doing in the water very well. I’m looking for specifics on where my forearm and hand should be on the pull after the catch. The steps: Entry, reach, high elbow catch and then when I pull should my forearm be pulling close to my chest (how close?) or outward away from my body? – Thanks and keep rockin the Podcast! Dave from Ottawa Ontario Canada.
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What is the main aspect of speed?
Seems to me it should be number strokes * strength of each pull assuming that one is catching the water properly out in front and then pulling all the way through.
Then there is the aspect of glide, so how does this integrate?
Could you comment on this?
Thanks,
- JR.
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How is it that some people seem to float and others do not?
For example, I have been swimming all of my life and never been able to float on my back, while I know others that can do it effortlessly.
Thanks,
- JR.
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By using fins my speed in freestyle and backstroke swimming becomes at least two times in comarison when i swim without fins. This is the case while With fins i swim very relaxed without being so tired. Moreover i can do flipturn easily but when i take off the fins i swim much slower which also affect on my flipturn. This is so frustrating to me. My question is that if this is related to imperfection in my kick and is there any special drill that helps me to swim without fins like when i wear fins.
Thanks,
Jin
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I’m new to triathlons and am okay cranking out the laps since my cardio is in good shape, but I feel like I need to move up to the next level of training by doing structured workouts with and without training tools. What basic training tools do you suggest and what types of workouts are best with them? (Paddles, kickboards, pull-buoys, etc)
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Kevin, I really enjoy the podcast and I’m definitely trying to incorporate alot of what you talk about into my drills. Recently I listened to a podcast where you were talking about “balance” in the water. I have been swimming pretty consistently for a few years now and I feel like I have pretty good “balance” but after hearing you bash the swim bouy (which to that point had been a friend of mine) I began to wonder. In that podcast you talked about a drill where you essentially strap your feet together or cross your feet so that you cannot kick, swimming sets of 50s without a swim bouy. I tried this and my legs sank right away. I swam about 200 m like this and tried many different things including higher turnover, less rotation, more rotation, more effort (of course always keeping the elbows high) and could not seem to keep my legs from sinking. I might just mention that when I float on my back without attemption to move in any direction, my legs sink too. Also, I don’t know how much body fat has anything to do with keeping your legs afloat but if it matters I am a very tall and lean athlete with only 5-6% body fat. What am I doing wrong? Is there a trick to keeping your legs behind you without kicking? I desperately want to feel this “balance” in the water that you talk about but I feel like I need some serious help. Is it possible that some people just don’t have enough body fat in their legs to keep them afloat? Thanks!
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When I start my swim, I feel out of breath after the first 100yds. After that I feel like I spend most of my effort just getting air. Running and biking does not do this to me, though being newly in training I know my endurance is not what it should be yet. Why is the swimming so much more draining on my breathing?
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