I’m in the process of transitioning computers, so I haven’t been able to edit the video clips I got from Coach Al into bite sized pieces. But I will do that over the coming weeks.
Today I tried some new techniques based on that video and Coach Al’s suggestions. It involves making some pretty wholesale changes to how I move my arms. I have to say, it feels quite awkward to change the way my arms move, even with only a few months of swim training under my belt. I showed my wife the new technique, and she took to it quite well. I, on the other hand, felt like a newly born giraffe. All arms and joints. The issue, I believe, is that my arms are moving too rapidly. I specifically tried to slow them down. Focus on the catch, focus on a slow and controlled pull. We were circle swimming in the same lane with someone else. She was swimming at a decent clip. I gave her about a quarter length and started my slow controlled, drill-like stroke. I focused only on moving my arms properly but slowly. It was effortless and relaxed. Pretty soon I felt my fingers hit the wall, well, I thought it was the wall. It turns out that my “slow and controlled” was propelling me through the water more quickly than my old fast and messy. I had caught up to her and hit her feet.
I was shocked, and the beauty is that it was totally effortless. I wasn’t out of breath in the least. This is the winning stroke for sure. I just have to get out of this awkward learning stage so that I can focus on breathing which is my real nemesis.