I just recently started swimming. I am 57, a *** cancer survivor, but was always one to exercise until January when I tore a cartidge in my knee. In search of exercise I could do and not affect my knee, I tried swimming laps and absolutely love, love, love it! I am a pretty good swimmer, but have trouble breathing. I have been swimming for about an hour, three times a week for three months. I feel much stronger as a swimmer now, but can't seem to get past the "can't catch my breath" feeling. Any suggestions would help! Thanks
Parents
Former Member
I have far less experience than these other guys but I'll try to contribute. I think Matt's answer was really good but beyond that you may have some limitations. I improved my freestyle breathing by finally deciding to breathe mainly on the side that I prefer (instead of breathing equally on both sides). You can add backstroke to your rotation and use backstroke as a recovery stroke so you can swim more continuously. Also, if you are not certain your technique is solid (freestyle especially), you could be limiting yourself there. As someone with asthma (severe allergies really) and very likely allergic to chlorine, I have unfortunate limitations myself. Cycling and running bring out my best, but not swimming. I can only swim continuously if I swim slow (or backstroke only). I've been working on swimming faster faster but my breathing is not getting better better. Perhaps I should go back to the steroid nose spray instead of trying to go drug free like an idiot. The cold water of the outdoor pool is also not conducive to the swimming I've been doing.
EDIT:
"Seriously, while your face is in the water, exhale steadily and continuously."
Well actually I don't know about that. If this is 100% proper then I rarely breathe right. If I exhaled steadily and continuously I would have to take three times as many breaths as I take and I already breathe every stroke about half the time I'm swimming freestyle. I like to breathe out the most just before I get my face out of the water to breathe in.
I have far less experience than these other guys but I'll try to contribute. I think Matt's answer was really good but beyond that you may have some limitations. I improved my freestyle breathing by finally deciding to breathe mainly on the side that I prefer (instead of breathing equally on both sides). You can add backstroke to your rotation and use backstroke as a recovery stroke so you can swim more continuously. Also, if you are not certain your technique is solid (freestyle especially), you could be limiting yourself there. As someone with asthma (severe allergies really) and very likely allergic to chlorine, I have unfortunate limitations myself. Cycling and running bring out my best, but not swimming. I can only swim continuously if I swim slow (or backstroke only). I've been working on swimming faster faster but my breathing is not getting better better. Perhaps I should go back to the steroid nose spray instead of trying to go drug free like an idiot. The cold water of the outdoor pool is also not conducive to the swimming I've been doing.
EDIT:
"Seriously, while your face is in the water, exhale steadily and continuously."
Well actually I don't know about that. If this is 100% proper then I rarely breathe right. If I exhaled steadily and continuously I would have to take three times as many breaths as I take and I already breathe every stroke about half the time I'm swimming freestyle. I like to breathe out the most just before I get my face out of the water to breathe in.
