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 get a number of runners in my workouts. The number one problem to address is breathing. Someone else mentioned the importance of exhaling completely. If you keep gulping in air and don't exhale correctly, you have no room to take in more air. It sounds so simple, but it is extremely important.
The second problem is to slow down and feel the water. You may go fast for 25-50, but you can't go far if you are using too much energy. Long and strong is the key - efficiency. Good distance swimmers have a sense of pace. Use the pace clock to develop this.
I get a number of runners in my workouts. The number one problem to address is breathing. Someone else mentioned the importance of exhaling completely. If you keep gulping in air and don't exhale correctly, you have no room to take in more air. It sounds so simple, but it is extremely important.
The second problem is to slow down and feel the water. You may go fast for 25-50, but you can't go far if you are using too much energy. Long and strong is the key - efficiency. Good distance swimmers have a sense of pace. Use the pace clock to develop this.
