Distance Runner trying to get into the Swimming Groove
Former Member
Hey there,
I'm a distance runner and want to start swimming - the way it's meant to be done.
Right now, I am ridiculously slow at the freestyle and backstroke. When I feel like I'm moving at a reasonable speed I look to the lane next to me and see a guy moving effortlessly, just gliding through the water, 3x as fast as me.
I don't know why I move so slowly. I've watched videos and it just seems like I get none of that fluid propulsion forward.
I also get out of breath extremely quickly, it seems. I run a 5K in 16:18 and it's a struggle completing 100 yards in the pool.
Lastly - I can not make sense of this - it seems that my breathing is just fine until I make that first turn - and then, counterintuitively, after I take that breath and flip around I feel like I'm out of breath, and the rest of the way is a struggle.
I don't know how to breaststroke or butterfly at all. I suppose I'll leave that for later...
Suggestions?? Thoughts??
I agree with “gobears”. But if you’re not in a position to join a team, there is a lot you can do to improve your stroke on your own. Be aware though that sometime sooner or later, maybe even now, you'll get stuck and need feedback from an experienced swimmer or coach to continue improving. It's common for people to post videos of themselves swimming here, to get pointers too.
You might find the "Total Immersion" system of efficient swimming by Terry Laughlin helpful. He’s geared towards novice swimmers and has books, videos, camps... I don’t agree with all his ideas, but think he’s got a great system to improve stroke efficiency quickly. There are so many "parts" to get right: body position, body rotation, kicking, catch, arm pull, breathing, timing it all... that you can't just learn it all at once. You need to work on different parts then put it together. That's what Terry does.
As you turn and push off the wall be sure to exhale under water. Build up of CO2, not lack of oxygen triggers the urge to breath. And you can't get a good breath if you haven't exhaled enough.
I wouldn't worry about breaststroke or butterfly yet either.
Good Luck!
I agree with “gobears”. But if you’re not in a position to join a team, there is a lot you can do to improve your stroke on your own. Be aware though that sometime sooner or later, maybe even now, you'll get stuck and need feedback from an experienced swimmer or coach to continue improving. It's common for people to post videos of themselves swimming here, to get pointers too.
You might find the "Total Immersion" system of efficient swimming by Terry Laughlin helpful. He’s geared towards novice swimmers and has books, videos, camps... I don’t agree with all his ideas, but think he’s got a great system to improve stroke efficiency quickly. There are so many "parts" to get right: body position, body rotation, kicking, catch, arm pull, breathing, timing it all... that you can't just learn it all at once. You need to work on different parts then put it together. That's what Terry does.
As you turn and push off the wall be sure to exhale under water. Build up of CO2, not lack of oxygen triggers the urge to breath. And you can't get a good breath if you haven't exhaled enough.
I wouldn't worry about breaststroke or butterfly yet either.
Good Luck!
