Whip that stroke into shape!
I've been focusing more on technique on my less-oft-swum strokes, which is always a good thing since I'm supposed to be a jack of all trades. IMs will do that to you.
Butterfly:
My hands have been about the right width apart on entry, but as I start my catch and pull I'm too wide. I've been working on narrowing it into a more pronounced keyhole shape so that my hands touch before they exit and recover. This is awesome for my speed and my shoulders but it's kind of throwing off my kick. With the Old Bad Slow stroke, I had a great kick because my whole body was undulating in the water the right way. It's going to take some more work to fix my kick with the Improved Shiny Fast stroke. I think it will be ready by the time it's needed in two weeks though -- my 400 IM is going to count on it. The importance of butterfly must not be underestimated, especially when the Adversary is a butterflier. I know that if I am ahead of her or at least close to it at the end of the first 100, I will win the race.
Backstroke:
This needs some work. My stroke is too flat: I'm not getting enough roll. As a result, my elbows are too far from my body during my pull and at the time that I'm supposed to be throwing the water towards my feet, I have far too little power and the direction is all wrong. I've been bringing my elbows in and I've been able to tell a huge difference. I don't think this will be totally perfected by the time the meet comes around, but it is less critical than the butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle in the 400 IM. The Adversary has a terrible backstroke, so improving this will just be gravy. It will make my job a whole lot easier in the last 100 though if I am as ahead of her as possible.
Now, if only my adductor would heal....