Body type

Question
Is there a specific swimming technique you can recommend for my body type?  I am 48, 5'11" with 35" inseam, busty, 155 pounds, and overall, very slim.  

I have been swimming with masters team for 1.5 years and can't get any faster than a 55second 50m free distance pace.  (I can do it in 52 sec when I sprint just a 50.)  

I have noticed that when I use the pull buoy in free, I race ahead of other like-swimmers in my lane.  I do not have strong arms.  I swim breast a bit faster than most like-swimmers in my lane.  When we do a breast drill of legs only, I get even a little bit faster than others.  Back stroke is my worst stroke where I fall behind others, but when we drill with bullbuoys I can keep up.  

In free, I have tried burying my head lower so my butt rises more, but the coach calls me on that and says my head is too low....  I can't seem to find any technique for back that helps the speed.  

So many shorter, fatter people or lean-but-long-torso people swim so much faster than me, I am beginning to wonder if it's my body type.  Thanks for reading this far! Linda

Answer
Hi Linda...

From what you are saying, I think we need to look at things you can improve on for your general technique rather than one related to your body type.  It is true that people who have more fat may have more bouyancy but I have never subscribed to the theory that thin people can't be fast swimmers.

Lets take at look at some of the things you have said.  First of all, head position is important.  Distance coaches will tell you to put your head down and sprint coaches will tell you to bring your head up.  You are talking about a sprint event and so I would concur with the coach's opinion on this one.  When you are trying to swim fast, you may need to compromise the hydrodynamics of putting your head down for the speed that you can generate by picking your head up and making a hydrofoil effect in the water.  Some people put their head too far down in any case.  This would be where you are putting your head below the plane of your body.  This can slow you down also.  I don't know of your circumstances but don't be afraid to pick your head up so it raises your body position to produce speed in arm and kick turnover.

The effects you are feeling with the pull bouy are strange.  Most people who swim fast with pull bouys and pure pulling have stronger arms than a kick.  You seem to have a discrepency here because you are saying you don't have strong arms yet you are passing people.  Are you kicking while you are pulling?  If you kick and do a full stroke with pull bouy and paddles you will generally be faster because your whole body weight and position is supported by the pull bouy.  If you are kicking while doing it, try not to kick so you can work your arms to get them stronger.

The general keys to becoming faster are these: 1) stroke  You need to keep continuing to hone and improve your stroke.  Every time when you swim, think about how you can get your motion more fluid.  You need to be able to feel a smooth motion in the water.  Read a book on it and look at the diagrams and then go out and practice in your Masters workout.  Go to the local high school/college or watch some of the best swimmers on your team or at your meet and see what they are doing.  Create a positive visual effect for yourself.  2) Strength  I know that you said that your arms are not as strong as you would like them to be.  If you are a good kicker, maybe you can keep pulling with only your arms and do some light weight workouts to improve your strength up top.  Even though fat floats, strength is what gives you power  3) Turns and Streamline  I am sure you have heard this before but you absolutely need to hone these two elements of your race.  On longer distance races you need to have good turns.  On the turns, think about the same thing as you are on your stroke.  You need to be trying to improve your fluidity coming off the wall. 4) Dives on a short race are crucial. Have the coach look at your dive and tell you what to improve.  5) Mental state  This plays a major part.  You need to keep thinking while you swim as well as start visulizing before races. I don't think for the times that you have given me that you are at your full potential.  Think before every race about you going a couple seconds faster and see yourself coming into the wall at that time.

I hope this helps you and good luck at your next Masters meet.

Thanks,
LM