Amid Uncertainties and Coffee Sips
Struggling Swimmer Prepares for Triathlon Despite Freestyle Challenges
John, a dedicated individual with a zest for challenges, has been diligently practicing freestyle swimming every Tuesday morning, donning a vibrant lemon-yellow swimsuit as a source of motivation from his friends. However, his progress has been slow, as evidenced by his inability to complete multiple strokes without taking a breath.
Freestyle swimming, renowned for its grace and efficiency, is a complex dance of body positioning, arm stroke technique, kick mechanics, and breathing synchronization. For adults, mastering this dance proves to be a significant challenge, as coordinating the arm and leg movements requires overcoming ingrained motor patterns and achieving precise timing.
The difficulty lies in managing body alignment, maintaining a long, straight, and taut body line, and minimizing upper body wobble while keeping the head, hips, and heels at water surface level. Arms must enter the water fingertips first, stay beneath but close to the surface, and pull with an elbow-high catch phase, all coordinated with continuous rotation of the torso. The kick is small amplitude and initiated by hip flexors, requiring subtle control and coordination with arm pulls. Proper breathing timing, usually every 2-3 strokes, must fit seamlessly into the stroke cycle without disrupting body rotation.
Despite his persistent efforts, John has not made any significant progress after over half a year. To improve, he has been practicing with a foam board to perfect the correct arm rotation for freestyle swimming: left, breathe, right, breathe, left, breathe. Yet, two weeks before the triathlon, he still cannot swim freestyle.
John's friend, also participating in the triathlon, is experiencing similar struggles with their preparations. The two have traditionally had a coffee after training, offering a comforting respite amidst the challenges.
Interestingly, children in many other countries learn freestyle swimming before breaststroke. Some argue that the technique is similar to the motion of walking, suggesting it should not be difficult to master. However, John compares his difficulty with freestyle swimming to a coordination exercise from music class, underscoring the complexities involved.
Despite his lack of proficiency in freestyle swimming, John plans to participate in the triathlon. His friend, relying on the Cologne Basic Law, Article 1, which states: "It is what it is," simply says, "It could've always been better." The triathlon was initially envisioned as a fun challenge among friends, planned to start training sometime between the holidays and during a quarter-life crisis.
John, however, remains confident, knowing one way to move through the water. He has been watching numerous freestyle swimming tips videos and his social media feed is now filled with muscle training for swimmers and underwater footage. Whether he will conquer the freestyle swim remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his determination is unwavering.
Sports, such as triathlons, often present unique challenges to participants. John, despite his struggles with freestyle swimming, continues to pursue the activity, underscoring his commitment to sports.
