Q: How can I work on the timing of the kick? If I try and think about it, I cannot concentrate on my arms enough.

A: How does a drummer work on the timing of the band?  In truth, the drummer is the timing of the band.  Likewise, kicking is the drum-beat of swimming.  So many triathletes struggle with kicking, and this creates the illusion that kicking should be calibrated to pulling, which is comparatively easier to learn.  Your kicking frequency is up to three times your pulling frequency.  If you are counting the beat based on your pulling frequency, subdividing it for the kick involves a lot of counting and timing.

I recommend that you stop thinking about timing the kick to the pull and instead time the pull to the kick.  Your arms will get calibrated to the rhythm just like the band does to the drummer.  You will no longer need to think about where your kick is in relation to your arms.  You will only need to keep moving your feet up and down at the same rate.  Your arms fall into rhythm because any other pulling frequency won’t feel right.  Until next time, happy training!

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