Friedmann Wraps It Up in Florida

Friedmann's Training Blog - Thursday, May 17, 2012
Today was the final day of training with the Gators, and although I only had one workout today it was definitely not a resting day. The workout this morning was a long freestyle set, and after the hour of dry land yesterday my arms pretty much felt like jello. The set was done three times through with a slight change in one piece each time through. I was completely dragging by the end of the practice, but it was a great way to end the training trip.

Leaving the pool this morning I had such a great feeling of accomplishment to have made it through the trip. I could not have been more proud to sport a Blue Devil t-shirt everyday while being here. Overall this experience has been absolutely amazing. Being able to train with Greg Troy has helped me realize that sometimes you just have to put your head down and swim. I have learned some new drills to assist with my freestyle stroke and I have learned to train at a whole new level.

I am definitely going to take everything I have experienced in the past three days with me throughout the upcoming season. The new level of training will help me perfect my strokes and get close to achieving the goals I have for myself and the team. I am so thankful that I received this opportunity to come to Florida to see how they run things in the Swamp. I will remember this trip forever and train as hard as I can for the rest of my swimming career.


Friedmann's Training Blog - Wednesday, May 16, 2012
After the third day of doubles this week and the second day of doubles with the Gators, it is safe to say I am pretty beat up. This morning began with some stroke strength work using buckets and cords. The buckets are large barrels that you can put weights in, and the cords are long bungie cords that you attach around your waist for resistance. It was a hard set but a great way to build up the speed of your stroke while maintaining your form.

The second practice of the day started off with an hour of dry land. The dry land set was a killer. It consisted of about a half hour of ab work and then a half hour of work with more cords. After that we broke up into our groups and started the swimming set. It was a long aerobic set using paddles and fins on different hands and feet to help with the balance of your stroke.

We ended the practice with a goal kick set that emphasizes the speed of your kick with a long recovery in between. It was a long and difficult day, but very rewarding to have survived. Tomorrow is my last day training with Greg Troy and although I am excited to come home, I am looking forward to brining back all of the new drills and techniques I have learned from the Gators.


Friedmann's Training Blog - Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Today was the first day of the training trip to swim with the Florida Gators and the head Olympic coach Greg Troy. The morning practice was a little shorter and consisted mostly of some drill work. One of the new drills I learned is a form of the doggy paddle. Its called short or long dog and it works the catch of your stroke with the short and the finish of your stroke with the long. It was a very effective drill because it really made me focus on my stroke and where my hands need to be. I swam with the middle-distance group throughout the practice and we did a lot of 50's working on changing speeds.

After that we did some longer swimming mixed with stroke. The afternoon practice was much longer swimming than the morning. It was a short warm up and then one set four times through. The set was a 400 pull and then 3- 250's that were a mix of freestyle, stroke and kicking. The set was difficult with only a short amount of rest between the reps but definitely doable. Overall the first day was a great experience. It was the first time I have been in a long course pool since February so it was great to get back in and get the feel for it again. I am looking forward for what is in store for me at dry land and my second double tomorrow (Wednesday).

FRIEDMANN AND BALL HEAD TO FLORIDA TO TRAIN

Central Connecticut senior Taylor Friedmann and head swimming coach Bill Ball will travel to Florida this week to begin a three-day training session with United States Olympic Coach Gregg Troy.  Over her first three seasons, Friedmann has helped Ball's squad to three straight second place finishes at the Northeast Conference Championships.  Personally, she has been honored as the NEC's Outstanding Rookie and Outstanding Performer, while setting an NEC record for the 500 freestyle in 2011.

"This is a great opportunity for Taylor, myself and the future of our program. It will give me the chance to observe and work with one of the best coaches in this country as he prepares some of the world's best for Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games," Ball said. "It will also give Taylor the same opportunity as she prepares to try and qualify for the USA Olympic Team Trials. I am sure the knowledge we both bring back will only help the future of the Central program."

During the 2011-12 season, Friedmann earned a gold medal in the 200 and 500 free events at the NEC Championships.  She also took silver in the 1650 free and helped the Blue Devils in several relays.

"I am really looking forward to the experience both in and out of the pool," Friedmann said. "It's not often you get a chance to train with the world's best coaches and athletes, I am nervous with anticipation and can wait to get there."

Friedmann and Ball will begin workouts at the University of Florida on Tuesday, May 15th.

Updates of Friedmann's training will be available each day on CCSUBlueDevils.com.