Swimmers advice please

[Wiifitmama]

i started swimming for fitness two months ago. I swim twice a week (I also run and do aqua aerobics twice a week each as well as box once a week so can't fit in more swimming).

I started slowly and built up to doing 40 laps of a 25 m pool (1 km). I alternate 2 laps front crawl with 2 backstroke.

Last week I spoke to a friend of a friend who is a swimmer who told me I should incorporate other training laps such as using a kick board to strengthen my kicking, and a leg float using just my arms. I did this once last week and loved it. It made me realise that my kicking is not strong, but my arms are very strong.

So I want to continue training rather than just swimming but wasn't sure what to do next. With running, I do one straight 5k run each week and one run of speed intervals. Do I do the same with swimming? One swim straight laps and one with training laps? Or always mix it up with both? What else should I be doing? I should probably mention now that I can only swim two strokes - front crawl and backstroke.

I did the supreme in 33.55. I definitely would like to beat that but unlikely i fear. Since doing it i have done loads myself though and still quite good fun although lacks the 'competitive' element

The zoggs website has downloadable training plans of varying levels of ability. They are great. You would have to learn to do breaststroke though to use them properly.

Wow saz that is impressive! What was the breakdown of your times for each part?

Sleep, i was very chuffed, although transitions are not timed which helps enourmously

2.5k run: 0:11:36, 10k bike: 0:14:35 400m swim: 0:07:44

Sorry also Wiifit for the hijack.

Sleep
it seems to me each method is equally valid as these are such technical points really,so quits?!!!

Wiifit I don"t think you necessarily need lessons as it"s such an expense.There are good books on swimming from which you could learn a lot by yourself if you have a friend who is a good swimmer and can check your strokes.

If you do get lessons I would definately see if your pool offers one - to -one.IMO a few of these as an adult could be more valuable than a whole course of group lessons as you can tailor what you want.

Anyway,hope you enjoy your swimming. To be fair,correct technique is not absolutely crucial in getting an aerobic workout or using the water as resistance anyhow!

Cool...now I am trying to figure out when I can give it a go at my gym! Definitely wouldn't manage your time though!

wiifit If you don't want to cycle - then do an aquathon instead, swim then run. Use entry central for entering events. thugh there aren't many events on there yet for 2012 yeat there are a few coming on the site.

Go for it Sleep - i went into it thinking i would be happy with 45 mins so was v pleased. The comptetiton element certainly helped though as i have been nowhere near that run time since

That's the bit I would find hardest to match your time for too saz. unfortunately I am also not a va member so would be competing only against myself (and you, in my head ). I will let you know how I get on once I find a day to do it!

Enjoy your swimming wiifit. Quits babycham !

sleepwhenidie saluting is one of the drills i used to do when in a club. i was always told i didn't put my hands in far enough ahead of me and to almost try and push my hand forward in the water before i started pulling back to make sure i got maximum length out of each stroke. the aim is to swim a length in as few strokes as possible so each one has to be as effective as possible.

others excercises we did were catch up - leave one arm stretched in front till the next hand touches it, dragging a thumb up the side of your body. can't think of others right now.

I use Swimplan.com its gives you a schedule to follow and you can specify what strokes you do and what equipment you have available to you. Its free too. Swimsmooth is also a good site for technique pointers.
Can you get to a class, I find I can do far more when I'm being shouted at and its motivating with other people.