"What do YOU need to do to have a major swimming breakthrough?"

OK. I could use a breakthrough/advice on how NOT to breathe 3 times on a 50. I can maybe get it down to 2 in a 50 yard free. (But I think I actually snuck in 4 breaths on my LC 50 free in August ....) What should I do to fix this?

What the heck is Ganja? Is this what I think? If so, I don't think I'm doing that, though I may have other vices.

Ha, ha, you j/k-er. "It's not denial. I'm just selective about the reality I accept."

I think I need to start consistently strength training. It's always the thing that gets bumped because I don't really enjoy it the way I do aerobic exercise like swimming and running. I also often get sick when I first start back to weights. I don't know if it's because it's hard on my body or if it's because even though I wash my hands as quickly as I can afterwards, lifting at the gyms means touching other people's sweat germs on the equipment. :-) I'm sure lifting would help my starts, push-offs and overall power. P.S. The dead horse icon makes me sad every time I see it while I'm composing. I know it's silly to feel sorry for a cartoon animal, but I can't help it!

More time to swim. Just don't have the time to get to the pool and train. I supplement with weight training, which I do at home(only my germs on my weights), and do other cardio, but I simply need to have more water time. right now ain't happening, so just have to be satisfied with what time I have.

Ha, ha, you j/k-er. "It's not denial. I'm just selective about the reality I accept." Leslie I think the best way is to practice it in practice. I personally had to figure out exactly when I wanted to breathe. I needed to actually plan my breathes ... I also think 1 down 2 back is easier. You have your start and all so breathe a couple of strokes before the turn then a few after and about 1/2 back or 3/4 of the way back. I found I do much better with breathing if I actually go okay, I'll breathe just past 1/2 way okay, I'll breathe 2 strokes after my turn ....

OK. I could use a breakthrough/advice on how NOT to breathe 3 times on a 50. I can maybe get it down to 2 in a 50 yard free. (But I think I actually snuck in 4 breaths on my LC 50 free in August ....) What should I do to fix this? posted by the fortress Try cutting back on the Ganja a bit and that should help clean out your lungs.....(just j/k of course!)

What the heck is Ganja? Is this what I think? If so, I don't think I'm doing that, though I may have other vices. posted by the fortress Ah this reminds me of the old saying "Denial aint just a river in Egypt" (Once again only j/k around with you of course). Newmastersswimmer

i agree with some girl!! shouldn't all strokes just be kept pure and in original form? :thhbbb: Maybe for USS meets. Masters swimming is all inclusive for all ages. I think it is unrealistic to expect our older members to do a 200 fly with a dolphin kick the whole way through the race! One of the most inspirational moments I've ever had at a Masters meet was watching Arthur Koblish- 80 and Jay Charles - 82 compete in the 200 meter fly at Nationals. Everyone gave them a standing ovation! :applaud:

Does anyone know how much time is gained (a tenth of a second?) over that distance to offset the tremendous oxygen debt your muscles will be in? What comes to my mind are exploding lungs and brain; at least this would happen to me. Donna Ha, ha! This sounds good. Because I doubt I could do a no breather 50 free at 45 unless maybe my child's life was at stake. But I can see some value in reducing breaths. Remember, not everyone gets to swim in the gorgeous blue water. Some of us are sprinters through either choice, nature, nurture or training limitations. Lots of sprint races are decided by tenths or hundredths of a second. Just check meet results or the list of current top times. Life is tough out there as a sprinter. Make a mistake, breathe too much, and your race is caput.