54 second 100y back and a NEW GOAL
Oct
654 second 100y back and a NEW GOAL
Posted by Kevin Doak on Monday at: 3:15am (October 6th, 2008)
I had a great swim practice today. I did my typical 3k practice and once again did half of it butterfly kick on my back. I think it will really help my walls (underwater kicking off the wall after a flipturn). I can tell that I'm really breaking down my muscles lately, I'm not used to so much kicking. My abs are destroyed but I know I'm getting better! Just yesterday I started counting my kicks off each wall again. I pledged to take 5 kicks off each wall or I would send myself home. Today I stepped it up a little and took 6 on most walls. Over the next few months I'd like to get that number up to 10. I find it accomplishes many (obvious) tasks. My body position could be improved and a stronger core will achieve that. I can tell that it affects the end of my races, I get tired and my midsection (read: Gluteus maximus) drops in the water and slows me down. Underwater kicking also helps build muscle in my legs, as well as expanding my lung capacity since I'm holding my breath.
I finished my 3500 yard practice with an all out 100 backstroke from a push. My legs were tired and fairly worn out. Still, I could tell that all that kicking really warmed up my legs. I have to admit I could have pushed it a little more, I had too much left at the end. I had some great walls and got a solid 10 meters off each wall underwater. I finished in time to see a 54 low on the clock! I was proud to see such a reasonable time! I'm not positive, but that very well could be the fastest I've ever gone in practice from a push. Considering I was a 50.48 in the Masters State meet earlier this year I'm confident I can break my own personal masters record.
One of my goals is to achieve a lifetime best in every SCY (Short course yards) event I've ever done. This includes my college times. I know I'm capable of it. I'm stronger and faster than I've ever been before. I lack the training and conditioning, but this is something I can work on with unlimited flexibility now. I have a long way to go.... I will prove to myself that I can do it. Here are a few events and the required time drops I will focus on to reach my goal:
100 Back (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 48.51 (2003)
Recent Best: 50.48 (2008)
Time Difference: 1.97 Seconds
50 Free (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 20.95 (2001)
Recent Best: 21.08 (2008)
Time Difference: 0.13 Seconds
50 Back (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 22.22 (2001)
Recent Best: 23.01 (2008)
Time Difference: 0.79 Seconds
200 Back (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 1:50.09 (2003)
Recent Best: 1:53.44 (2008)
Time Difference: 3.35 Seconds
I understand this is a difficult goal to achieve. I have a significant amount of time to drop in each event. My 50 Free should be fairly easy to achieve, I know I'm a mid 20 second freestyler, I just need a good race. The 100 Back will be challenging but achievable. I feel like I have a 47 second 100 back in me somewhere. My underwater kicking will help, my improved stroke and knowledge will carry me the rest of the way. My 50 Back will be VERY difficult. My 22.22 is pretty quick. I was blown away when I swam that time. It was faster than I ever expected to swim, and still is. However, if I work hard enough, with a good enough flip turn and underwater kicking, I have a 21 second miracle waiting to happen. The 200 Back is just plain annoying. I absolutely despise the race! It's the only race you'll ever hear me complain about. It's about 125 yards longer than I can possibly swim at a decent pace. The only saving grace is that my improved walls will help me bust out a 1:49. Again, I sincerely wish they would abolish the 200 backstroke... Nobody should ever be put through that much pain! :)
So overall I have a few daunting tasks I've assigned myself. I have set this goal and I will achieve it. There is no deadline, but I'd like it to happen during the next calendar year. I have a feeling I'll get at least one Lifetime Best in the next 6 months. We shall see!
I finished my 3500 yard practice with an all out 100 backstroke from a push. My legs were tired and fairly worn out. Still, I could tell that all that kicking really warmed up my legs. I have to admit I could have pushed it a little more, I had too much left at the end. I had some great walls and got a solid 10 meters off each wall underwater. I finished in time to see a 54 low on the clock! I was proud to see such a reasonable time! I'm not positive, but that very well could be the fastest I've ever gone in practice from a push. Considering I was a 50.48 in the Masters State meet earlier this year I'm confident I can break my own personal masters record.
One of my goals is to achieve a lifetime best in every SCY (Short course yards) event I've ever done. This includes my college times. I know I'm capable of it. I'm stronger and faster than I've ever been before. I lack the training and conditioning, but this is something I can work on with unlimited flexibility now. I have a long way to go.... I will prove to myself that I can do it. Here are a few events and the required time drops I will focus on to reach my goal:
100 Back (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 48.51 (2003)
Recent Best: 50.48 (2008)
Time Difference: 1.97 Seconds
50 Free (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 20.95 (2001)
Recent Best: 21.08 (2008)
Time Difference: 0.13 Seconds
50 Back (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 22.22 (2001)
Recent Best: 23.01 (2008)
Time Difference: 0.79 Seconds
200 Back (SCY)
Lifetime Best: 1:50.09 (2003)
Recent Best: 1:53.44 (2008)
Time Difference: 3.35 Seconds
I understand this is a difficult goal to achieve. I have a significant amount of time to drop in each event. My 50 Free should be fairly easy to achieve, I know I'm a mid 20 second freestyler, I just need a good race. The 100 Back will be challenging but achievable. I feel like I have a 47 second 100 back in me somewhere. My underwater kicking will help, my improved stroke and knowledge will carry me the rest of the way. My 50 Back will be VERY difficult. My 22.22 is pretty quick. I was blown away when I swam that time. It was faster than I ever expected to swim, and still is. However, if I work hard enough, with a good enough flip turn and underwater kicking, I have a 21 second miracle waiting to happen. The 200 Back is just plain annoying. I absolutely despise the race! It's the only race you'll ever hear me complain about. It's about 125 yards longer than I can possibly swim at a decent pace. The only saving grace is that my improved walls will help me bust out a 1:49. Again, I sincerely wish they would abolish the 200 backstroke... Nobody should ever be put through that much pain! :)
So overall I have a few daunting tasks I've assigned myself. I have set this goal and I will achieve it. There is no deadline, but I'd like it to happen during the next calendar year. I have a feeling I'll get at least one Lifetime Best in the next 6 months. We shall see!