Hi all,
I've been following the USMS forums for a while now and just registered. I swam USMS in grad school as a 24 year old and now swim masters (age group B!) in South America. I love swimming down here but most coaches are about 10 years behind in technique/innovation, so I basically rely on friends who are coaches in the US and swim sites to stay up to date.
It's pretty obvious that elite mid and long-distance swimmers breathe every cycle now, but have any of you forced yourselves to break a 3-5 habit and start to breathe every 2? I was taught to ALWAYS breathe every 3-5 and after 20-some years of that, I'm wondering if it's worth it in a race (specifically 200, 400/500). FWIW, I have major rotator cuff problems (who doesn't?!) with my right shoulder and seem to extend less with my right side than my left and am concerned breathing every cycle in practice would make that worse.
This simply reinforces my earlier point: breathing patterns vary widely among swimmers, and during a race itself. A swimmer may switch breathing patterns during mid or long-distance races. There is no right or wrong breathing pattern - it's all about how you train and what you achieve with the pattern you choose.
You have made excellent points on this thread, Julia, and I absolutely agree with you on them. Thank you for your excellent contributions to the Forums! :applaud:
This simply reinforces my earlier point: breathing patterns vary widely among swimmers, and during a race itself. A swimmer may switch breathing patterns during mid or long-distance races. There is no right or wrong breathing pattern - it's all about how you train and what you achieve with the pattern you choose.
You have made excellent points on this thread, Julia, and I absolutely agree with you on them. Thank you for your excellent contributions to the Forums! :applaud:
