Will try to keep short....
53 year old geezer in good physical shape. currently completed one of two (stroke lessons) as I've not had a swim lesson in 40plus years.
I've been in the pool working out for about 6 weeks now....here's where I am:
- have recently treaded water for 30 mins,
- can do 2 mins hands above water tread,
- swam a mile continuous (little wall push) earlier this week via ***/side/free/back stroke sets (each 50 yards) for 1750 yards. super casual pace and felt good at end - not completely fatigued.
- today's swim: 250yds *** 7 mins, rest 2 mins, 250yds side 6 mins, rest 2 mins, 205 yards free 5 mins.
I'm not getting muscle fatigue in the 250 free...but finish winded - other strokes I could have gone farther. I continually exhale when face down, but am only good breathing (inhale) on right side...I tried to bilateral breath today - crazy difficult for me. and I'm trying to continuously exhale whenever face down.
My goal is to be able to swim continuously for a mile or so (freestyle stroke) without stopping....I think my biggest problem is breathing rhythm(??) Any thoughts/exercises to try? When I practice breathing to left I can't barely do a 50!
Thanks
All: Thanks for the input thus far...very encouraging. I had my second and final (for now) lesson yesterday and we worked a number of drills yesterday to include swimming with a kick board/face down/breathe left. Towards the very end of the hour I donned my swim fins and did a lap of free breathing to the left....the fins help with body position and as a result a bit more effective breathing left.
My plan is to continue swimming 3x's/per week and practice back/side/***, and free while continuing to work bilateral breathing....I'm thinking my next swim will be only breathing to my left.....My goal is to become equally proficient left and right as I REALLY want to work towards a 1 mile open water swim within the next year or so!
I've intrigued with the comment about joining a Maters swim team......aren't these guys/gals who have a loooong history of swimming and very accomplished? I envision they jump in the pool and swim 500 and 1000's like nobodies business. I'm concerned my current endurance as laid out in my orig post isn't quite enough(???)
All: Thanks for the input thus far...very encouraging. I had my second and final (for now) lesson yesterday and we worked a number of drills yesterday to include swimming with a kick board/face down/breathe left. Towards the very end of the hour I donned my swim fins and did a lap of free breathing to the left....the fins help with body position and as a result a bit more effective breathing left.
My plan is to continue swimming 3x's/per week and practice back/side/***, and free while continuing to work bilateral breathing....I'm thinking my next swim will be only breathing to my left.....My goal is to become equally proficient left and right as I REALLY want to work towards a 1 mile open water swim within the next year or so!
I've intrigued with the comment about joining a Maters swim team......aren't these guys/gals who have a loooong history of swimming and very accomplished? I envision they jump in the pool and swim 500 and 1000's like nobodies business. I'm concerned my current endurance as laid out in my orig post isn't quite enough(???)
