Thursday, November 11, 2010

Swim 4 Fitness Review Notes

Review Notes from last session:
  • Skate
  • Skate with Overswitch
  • Swim + Swim with Pullbuoy
  • Arm Extension / Front Quadrant Swimming
  • Hand Entry near head
  • 11:00 and 1:00 arm entries

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Help Preserve College Swimming!


Help Preserve College Swimming for When YOU  (or your child) Goes to College!

It’s no secret that college swimming has been “under the gun” due to college budget cuts in recent decades.

We want to let NCAA Division I Presidents/Chancellors and Athletic Directors know that there is a large, vibrant, energetic and committed swimming community in the USA that appreciates the fact that THEIR University has kept swimming alive and well at their institutions.

AND let them know that we want them to continue that support, and that our Children will consider attending Universities that allow them to continue their swimming excellence during their college years.

During the time period Nov. 15, 2010 through Dec. 30, 2010, won’t you take a few minutes and write a letter or send an email to the President and Athletic Director of the institution of your choice. (or more than one if you’d like!) and say THANK YOU for their support of swimming and let them know that the tuition dollars of you or your child will flow towards the institutions that keep swimming opportunities alive.

You can find the email and mailing addresses of EVERY NCAA Division I institution in the country on the American Swimming Coaches Association website at https://www.swimmingcoach.org/ad_addresses.htm

Letters from young swimmers are particularly appreciated!  How about your swimmer (s) sits down today and does something to preserve their own future opportunities?

All the Best, John Leonard, American Swimming Coaches Association

Swim 4 Fitness workout for Nov 4

WU: 4 x 100 swim done as 50 kick, 50 Freestyle.

Main Set: (Rest Intervals are in seconds within parentheses):
  • 50 (15”) - EZ with good technique (Zones 1-2)
  • 100 (30”) - Moderate pace (T-pace + 5 seconds)
  • 200 (40”) - EZ with good technique (Zones 1-2)
  • 300 (60”) - Moderate pace (T-pace + 5 seconds)
  • 200 (40”) - EZ with good technique (Zones 1-2)
  • 100 (30”) - Moderate pace (T-pace + 5 seconds)
  • 50 - EZ with good technique (Zones 1-2)
CD: Easy combination of Kick and Freestyle for 10 minutes.
Total: 1900

Thursday, October 21, 2010

BOO!! 3-Fitness October Newsletter #2

Triathlon & Fitness Classes start Oct 28: Okay, we've all rested up from the summer. Time to start training again!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Swim 4 Fitness points from Oct 14 Class

Swimming on Side/Side Kick
  • Down arm extended
  • Up arm on side, hand on thigh
  • Head align with spine; roll to get breath
  1. Swim 6 kicks
  2. Extended arm does pull, body rotates to other side
  3. Switch lead hands
  4. Repeat
  • Key point: do not lift head, just roll to other side
Side Kick, Sailboat Drill
  1. Start swimming on side
  2. Up arm moves forward, elbow up, hand about 1" above water
  3. Arm forms a "Sail Shape" above the water
  4. Swim 6 kicks
  5. Complete stroke: Up arm enters water, lead hand catches, rotate to the other side
  6. Repeat
  • Important: elbow in front of ear so weight shifts forward, otherwise you may sink straight downward
Other Drills
  • Fingertip Drag
  • Thumb scrape
  • Swim with Fists (emphasis on forearms in pull)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Swim 4 Fitness workout for Oct 14

W/U: 200 Freestyle

Main Set: 
200 @ T-Pace + :05 (RI 30")
3 X 100 @ T-Pace (RI 15")
1:00 Rest
6 x 50 Odd Easy, Even Fast (RI 20")

C/D: 100 Free

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Swim 4 Fitness - points for week of Oct 10

Focus points for swimming on your side:
  • Fixed head with waterline at goggles
  • Upper arm relaxed on thigh
  • Head down, nose pointed toward bottom, crown of head pointed toward end of lane until you roll to breathe
Focus points for Freestyle swimming:
  • Elbow high, pointed toward ceiling
  • Hand enters by head
  • Arm extends underwater, below the head
  • Extend arm toward end of pool through fingertips
  • Front Quad swimming - hands pass in front of head
  • Extended arm doesn't catch until you see the other hand in front of face
Drills:
  • 12-12: swim on side 12 kicks, one stroke to other side, swim for 12 kicks
  • Fingertip Drag - just skimming water
  • Thumb scrape - along side as arm recovers
  • Hand - Wrist - Elbow: walk forward with correct arm strokes, fall into water and begin swimming full freestyle strokes
  • Closed Fist

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Swim 4 Fitness workout for Oct 7

Swim Time Trial (Sprint):

Warm up for 10-20 minutes, then
  1. Swim 3 x 100, with 20 second Rest Interval. Goal is to swim the highest sustained speed over all three 100s, so you have to pace yourself.
  2. Get your time for each 100. The times for each 100 should be within 5-10 seconds of each other.
  3. Average the three times.
This is your T-pace, which is used for speed work (e.g., swim 2 x 200 @ T + 2 seconds).

Monday, October 04, 2010

Swim 4 Fitness - points for week of Oct 4

Review of Body Position
  • Hands & Arms above the head
  • Head down on chest
  • Press the Buoy (press chest down - swimming downhill)
Stroke Correction
  • Front Quadrant Swimming - hands cross in front of head
  • 12-12 Drill: Swim 12 kicks each side -- lower arm extended, shoulders and hips stacked (perpendicular to bottom of pool)
  • Elbow up: elbow high, hand down, as arm comes forward -- "marionette string" pulls the elbow up
  • Fingertip Drag Drill: drag fingertips in the water as the hand comes forward
  • Thumb Scrape Drill: scrape the thumb against your side as the hand comes forward

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Bike Ride in Kenosha County this Sunday

Enjoy the fall colors just across the Wisconsin border at the “Fall Wheel Ride” in Kenosha County. Sponsored by Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser and Kenosha County Parks, three distances are available for bike riders of all abilities.

All routes converge at Petrifying Springs Park, Pavilion 1, where snacks (including hot apple cider!), safety checks and tips, and bike-related activities and education will be provided from 10am until Noon.

Read More at Chicago Wellness Examiner...