Swimming nuances

Of all the triathlon sports, swimming has got to be the most nuanced of them all. That's part of what I enjoy about it. Today Coach Jim brought his camera and new laptop poolside (yikes!) and shot footage then analyzed it on-site. Video never fails to reveal a gap between what we think we are doing and what we are actually doing!

For one thing, I need to stop wasting energy to get my right hand so high. And Coach Jim reminded me again to minimize my kick. When I finally did, and he called it my "triathlon kick" it stuck! Now I'll always try to have the "triathlon kick"! Funny what little coaching tricks can motivate and help.

Other things:

• Flat hand entry, right one tends not to be flat
• Hands in first, high elbows (elbow first creates drag)
• Kick up, little kick, little bubbles, toes pointed, kick from hip, nice and long
• Picture swimming over a barrel along the chest, hands have to go out to the sides to go along the barrel top and bottom
• Keep a goggle in the water
• Small tube that the body slips through

And...don't show up at the pool at 6 am. Wait for the first wave to finish and plan to start at 6:30 or 6:40!!

But all in all, swimming continues to feel much more natural. Gone is the anxiety I used to have starting each session. And did I mention I cut about 5 seconds off my time for the 100 from October? Doesn't sound like much, but I'll take it!

left arm pretty good

right arm, what's up with THAT?