Getting in the Groove...

I couldn't swim with the team tonight because the boys had a bball game I didn't want to miss, so I swam on my own after the game.  I worked really hard on my stroke using the tips coach Julie has been giving me.  My arms have been stiff out of the water, and that isn't ideal because that is supposed to be the resting phase of the stroke...your arm should be really relaxed.  So, I tried relaxing and I started to get the feeling she was describing.  I also worked on putting my hand into the water next to my head and then extending it out with a good reach under the water.  The idea is to reach out far, and think about gliding through the water before you pull with your arm. It helps me to think about cross country skiing actually....the motion of kick and glide on the snow is similar to glide and pull in the water.  When you are gliding in the water you are moving through the water without expending a lot of energy.  I felt really good after this swim of 1900 yards...like many complicated mechanical tips are slowly coming together.