Getting tired question [new swimmer]

Former Member
Former Member
Hi, I posted this on another swimming web site but then I found this one and it seems to have a bit more activity so I thought I'd post it on here as well. I'm a fairly new swimmer (been doing it for about 2 months) and although I have progressed quite a bit there is still one thing that I have a problem with which is getting tired. Here's what happens to me: When I first kick off the wall everything is fine, technique is good and breathing is good. In fact, I am going at a pretty decent pace and am having absolutely no problems. But at around 75m to 100m I seem to just hit a wall and all of a sudden I feel like I am swimming in a vat of molasses and going really slow. Eventually my form starts to break down and I find it difficult to get a breath. I don't know why this happens and was wondering if anyone else had experienced this or would have any suggestions on getting past this ? I don't think it's my technique because, as I said, everything is totally fine up to a certain point (i.e. stroke is good, I'm maintaining a pretty good horizontal position to minimize drag and breathing is good in that I am exhaling completely, or as completely as I can, underwater and getting a pretty good gulp of air when I do breath) and then it's like WHAM! I just start getting really slow. I'm also in good shape since I ski, mountain bike and hike so I know my lungs should be fine, but when I'm swimming I just reach a point where I get so tired I need to rest. Anyone have any suggestions.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Thanks for the replies. I kind of had the feeling all along that the answer would involve practice and patience. When I jump into something I usually want results right away but I guess there are no shortcuts to developing good swimming fitness. This is a really great board by the way, lot's of good info. A little personal info about me and my swimming goals: I'm 34 years old living in San Diego. I have no desire to have blazing fast lap times but do wish to get fit enough to swim distances of 1/2 mile to a mile. My 2 ultimate goals and the reason I took up swimming in the first place is to be able to do Ocean swimming (specifically in La Jolla Cove) and to be able to complete the requirements for Scuba certification.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Thanks for the replies. I kind of had the feeling all along that the answer would involve practice and patience. When I jump into something I usually want results right away but I guess there are no shortcuts to developing good swimming fitness. This is a really great board by the way, lot's of good info. A little personal info about me and my swimming goals: I'm 34 years old living in San Diego. I have no desire to have blazing fast lap times but do wish to get fit enough to swim distances of 1/2 mile to a mile. My 2 ultimate goals and the reason I took up swimming in the first place is to be able to do Ocean swimming (specifically in La Jolla Cove) and to be able to complete the requirements for Scuba certification.
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