Need to start with a little background info before my question...
I started swimming laps for the first time last July. I have had a lot of lessons, stroke clinics, I took an advanced TI based class, I've been video taped with coaching afterwards. I think my technique is pretty good (not great, but decent for a relatively new swimmer). I was swimming 1 hour 3 times per week, recently I cut that back to 2 times per week due to shoulder problems.
I also kickbox, step aerobics, mountain bike, lift weights, yoga. I can do high intensity land-based aerobic activity for 1 hour with no problem. I workout 1-2 hours a day 4-5 days per week. I have lost 62 lbs., still have 35 to go. Weight is coming off nicely, about 1 lb. per week.
I recently had a fitness test and I came back good on flexibility and cardio, and excellent on 2 different strength tests.
Now that you have my background and fitness info here is my problem. First, I run out of breath swimming. I can keep going but the first 10 laps or so I feel like I'm suffocating. I noticed it a lot in a recent stroke clinic. Everyone there said my technique was the best in the class, yet after just 25 yds. I was breathing heavy and they were not. Second problem is I'm really slow which I'm starting to think is related to the first problem. It's hard to go faster when you feel like you have run out of air. My lap time is about 53 seconds best time, more like 1:10 on average. Terrible I know.
I talked to a friend recently who does a lot of different exercises and she said you know maybe you are just a slow swimmer. Some people aren't "built" to swim fast just like some people aren't "built" to run fast.
Do you think this is right? Is my problem bad breathing technique? I've had the coach look at it and she seems to think I'm doing fine. Am I rushing it? It's been almost a year since I started swimming. Is it the 35 remaining lbs. holding me back in the water? If so why doesn't it hold me back on land aerobics? Any tips, ideas, suggestions are welcome. I don't compete so it's not about having a "winning" speed, but I'd like to be able to swim further in the same amount of time. Call it a personal goal. I'd also like to be able to swim without feeling out of air all the time.
Thanks!
Former Member
Originally posted by MegSmath
One other thing to consider about breathing. You breathe differently when you swim than you do for any other aerobic activity. When you swim, you primarily inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose. This is the opposite of what every aerobics instructor has every told me! So I have the opposite problem from you. I can swim all day without getting out of breath (assuming I'm not swimming hard), but I am sucking air within 30 seconds in my step aerobics class! And running? Forget about it! I can't even run to the mailbox!
Meg
Hmmm....I think I exhale through the mouth. Maybe I am doing something wrong?:confused:
I guess I kind of exhale with an open mouth and the air goes out the mouth and nose both. I don't have any problems with water up the nose. I difinately breathe in through my mouth. Thank goodnes it is big!
Venus,
At my pool 53 secs for a 50m Free would be considered a good time.Try lengthening your strokes and waiting for the whole stroke to finish.That way you maximise your effort.
Mark
the breathing bit can be helped by doing stroke per length drills..ie trying to swim the length of the pool with as few strokes as possible..this will or should teach correct breath timing..i also noted that you said you were short..although there are many great swimmers who are short,dynamically it is faster to have a longer shape..
I think the original poster is talking about a 50 yard short course pool. I also don't think you should compare your time against others, 1 minute would be terrible for my 15 year old son, but not terrible for a 40 year old beginner.
When I started at 38, I could not swim 50 yards under a minute(heck I couldn't swim 50 yards!)
Now I am down around 30, wishing I could go under 30.
Originally posted by aschueler
Is a 1 minute lap (assuming 50 M) terrible?
Hell, I'm not even close to that.
As dorothyrd said, it's all perspective. It's only terrible if you think it is. Don't worry about what others think. If you think it's bad, then get yer butt in the pool more and work on it! :cool:
