Swimming - February 2011

2/5
30 - 26:53 (avg 53.7)
Noticed my form degrade around 22-24 laps, where corresponding times went from 52-53 seconds per 50 yds to 54-55. Form suddenly started feeling more jerky. Spent 6 laps toying with various mechanics (hand entry, head position, body rotation) to try and determine was what faltering, but couldn't isolate. Stopped at 30 laps - did not want to continue with bad form unless I knew how to fix it.

Took 2 min break, then did another 200 yds, thinking rest would help. Last 100 yds were again in the 54-55 second range, and felt jerky again. Another 2 min break, then a fast 100 yds (1:23), 2 min break, fast 100 yds (1:24.9).

2/6
Forgot stopwatch - not sure how many laps. However, I did find a way to tie a few form mechanics together. If I kept my head down (instead of letting my eyes try to look forward, which results in my head lifting up a bit), and I set my hand entry at such an angle where I could see my arm enter the water in my peripheral vision at the top - the end result is a catch position where there is very little vertical arm/hand motion during the pull. In other words, most of movement is used for propulsion, instead of a significant amount being diverted to lifting body. This also streamlines the body. Any increased drag of the arm itself being in the flow path is more than compensated by lower body drag.

2/8
Following previous sessions form improvements:
36 - 30:37 (avg 51)
39 - 33:10 (avg 51)

Average of about 2 seconds faster per lap. About 2/3 of the way through, form started to come apart a bit still and lap times once in a while got up to 53/54 - but was able to fix form and get times back down to 50/51.

2/12
24 - 20:02
then 12 x 50 intervals, 65 seconds lap + rest each. Laps were about 42 sec.

2/13
24 - 20:14
then 12 x 50 intervals, 60 seconds lap + rest each. Laps were about 42-45 sec.

2/15
24 - 20:40
then 12 x 50 intervals, 60 seconds lap + rest each. Laps were about 42-45 sec.

2/18
24 - 20:02
then 12 x 50 intervals, 60 seconds lap + rest each. Laps were about 42 sec.

2/20
36 - 30:48 (avg 51.3)
Very smooth. Made major effort to relax and flow with water, rather than let body tense up as workout progressed. Tried to have very regulated and steady breathing. Felt fairly effortless.

2/26
24 - 20:34
than 12 x 50 intervals, 60 seconds lap + rest each. Laps 1,2 about 37 seconds each, laps 3-12 averaged about 42.

2/27
36 - 30:49