Exposing the flaws

I've learned a lot about asymmetry over the past couple of weeks.  I always tell my patients that, much as we like to believe we're symmetrical, we're not (as a species).  So, for instance, while we have two kidneys, they are not placed in exactly the same spot in our anatomy.  And while we have two lungs, the right has 3 lobes, while the left has 2.  And most of us are naturally right- or left-handed.  Using a couple of new devices, I've learned how asymmetric I am.

I bought a pair of Five Fingers several months ago.  I have been curious about them, and found them on sale, so I figured that I'd give them a try.  I hadn't used them until two weeks ago when I brought them to Arizona.  After one of my runs, I changed into them and took them out for a quick spin.  I immediately noticed that my left footstrike was funky, something I had never noticed before.  I'm not sure how it has evolved over time, whether I've always done this or this is something new over the past few years, but the VFF's exposed this.  Since then, I have been more conscious of this, especially when using the VFF's.  While I am only up to about 0.75 miles in them, they do feel good in an interesting way. 

This week, Ashley has designed a couple of sets with paddles.  I noticed that I'm not finishing my stroke with my right arm.  While I do finish my stroke on the left, my pull stops short on the right.  This didn't become apparent to me until I used the paddles.  When I finish my pull on the right (to the same point as my left), I generate a lot more distance, and I can definitely feel it in my muscles on the right.  Again, whether this is recent or has been present for awhile (my best guess is that is related to my clavicle) is uncertain.  But, certainly making my stroke more symmetric will help me swim better.

There are some people who have a lot of body awareness and don't need these kinds of tools to perceive how they move through space.  For those of us that do need the proprioceptive assistance, there are definitely things out there that can help us mere mortals.