Hi, all. Not sure if this topic has been covered in other threads (searched but didn't find it) so I'm hoping I can get some advice and guidance regarding my flip turns. The issue is that almost immediately after kicking off the wall from my flip turns I feel desperate for air, which forces me to end my streamlining sooner than I should just so that I can take a breath. Additionally, doing a flutter kick or dolphin kick while streamlining makes me feel even more fatigued, which makes me break for air even sooner. The result is that I feel like I spend most of the next lap recovering from the flip turn rather than building on the momentum I should be getting from it. Also, obviously, decreased streamlining means I'm exerting more energy, as I have to swim farther (i.e., higher stroke count per lap).
Are there any drills or workouts I should be focusing on to improve in this area? For reference, when swimming I breathe every third stroke but I'm really bad about not breathing into or out of the turns (i.e., I breathe right before the turn and then have to take two breaths immediately out of the turn since I feel so desperate to breathe). Is this just a mental thing I need to overcome? If so, any advice on how I can get over it?
Thanks in advance for any help. Let me know if I can provide any further info to explain the issue.
Have you tried switching to breathing every stroke for several strokes before the turn? Getting a more frequent exchange of air (assuming you breathe properly) may help. Make sure you are fully exhaling before you take a breath to prevent a build-up of CO2, especially before you turn. (I'm no expert, but this is just an idea to try.)
I know my lung power has weakened as I have gotten older. When I was in high school, I always breathed every fourth stroke. Now, if I did that, I would :whiteflag:! As a Master's swimmer, I have to breathe every stroke. To keep my body balanced, I breathe to the left going down the pool and to the right coming back.
Have you tried switching to breathing every stroke for several strokes before the turn? Getting a more frequent exchange of air (assuming you breathe properly) may help. Make sure you are fully exhaling before you take a breath to prevent a build-up of CO2, especially before you turn. (I'm no expert, but this is just an idea to try.)
I know my lung power has weakened as I have gotten older. When I was in high school, I always breathed every fourth stroke. Now, if I did that, I would :whiteflag:! As a Master's swimmer, I have to breathe every stroke. To keep my body balanced, I breathe to the left going down the pool and to the right coming back.
