Need advice to gain distance on Freestyle

Wannabeaswimmer;84105 My trouble is that I can't seem to get beyond swimming 50 yards without becoming a litttle winded. I need to take a few breaths before I can do more. This sounds so much like me 40+ years ago. The first thing you want to do (before drills, technique, style or whatever) is to learn how to breathe. When I started, I could do a 50 (LCM) Free in 30 but couldn't do 55 meters even if chased by a Great White. I discovered, quite by accident that I did not exhale while my face was underwater. Quite unconsciously, I held my breath while my face was under and then when I rolled, exhaled and then inhaled. That was never enough. One day, as I was told by the coach, to swim with, beside, at the speed of our slowest swimmer, I couldn't hold my breath any longer and exhaled with my face submerged. Then when I rolled, all I had to do was just open my mouth and the air rushed in. I didn't even have to inhale. My suggestion to you is: Get yourself to the deep end of the pool. Tread water or hold on to the edge. Inhale Let your self sink Exhale, exhale, exhale, slowly, let it all out. Surface Open your mouth Let the Air IN (you won't even have to INhale), and repeat. You will find a rhythm that will most closely approach a swimming rhythm, something like Out, Out, Out, Out, In, Out, Out, Out, Out, In....... (or 3 to 1) (or 2 to 1) or ........ Once you have that rhythm, apply it to a slow crawl and you'll find that you can go on forever. From there on, you'll be able to increase your swimming speed while still "breathing". Your mileage may vary but that's how I discovered that I didn't know how to breathe. Good luck.

I've been trying to learn swimming for about a year. I started to do TI with a TI coach and ended up doing drills, drills and more drills with no swimming for a year. I decided I needed to get to some real swimming so I hired a different coach to help me with stroke technique and it has helped a lot. I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. My trouble is that I can't seem to get beyond swimming 50 yards without becoming a litttle winded. I need to take a few breaths before I can do more. When I started with the second coach, I couldn't even make 25 yards so I have improved. Can anyone offer advice on how to progress further? Is this something that just comes with time and practice? Although drills are important in learning to swim, I believe they should come second, not first, in the learning process. The reason I say this is because any good, quality instructor needs to first evaluate a person's comfort in the water. And if that instructor sees that a swimmer is always out of breath, it is a red flag that the swimmer may not be exhaling (like was mentioned in the reply above), or that the swimmer may be intimidated and have fear issues. But regardless, a person should most certainly be swimming way before a year goes by with a good program and coach. I am glad you are now seeing progress with your new coach because progress is achievement and likely to keep you swimming!!! Because I cannot coach from far away, talk to your coach about your breathing issues and make certain you are exhaling and inhaling when you are supposed to. Also make sure you are not over-kicking because the exertion from over kicking will fatigue you. Please come back and let us know about your progress. One question: are you bilateral breathing (breathing on both sides), or do you breath more on one side than the other? And how often are you trying to breathe? Good Luck!! donna

I've been trying to learn swimming for about a year. I started to do TI with a TI coach and ended up doing drills, drills and more drills with no swimming for a year. The purpose of many of the more basic TI drills are to help one gain a self awareness of balance and relaxation in the water. With out making any assumptions as to how you have progressed toward achieving this goal, I will say this: A precise incremental approach can lead you to an increase in endurance. Try to swim something like this: 4 lengths (each separated by as many deep relaxing breaths as is necessary to prepare you for the next length) lets say 5. Next step; 4 x 25 with a 4 breath rest interval; etc 3 breath; etc 2 breath; until you can swim 100 yds straight. Next step; 8 x 25 with a 5 breath rest interval..............you get the picture. The same approach can be used for gains in technique.

3strokes so many exhale all of their air. We breathe as if we are out for a slow stroll in easy out easy until we are ready to race. I have to say get in and swim the full stroke, drills can come later. I am not a fan of drills. We have to use some of the natural things that the hands, arms and the body does. I have been watching the little ones especialy begginers who do the dog paddle and have found that they are holding there hands in a relaxed manner before they have ever had a swim lesson. The hand is not cupped and the fingers and thumb are slightly open in the classic way the great swimmers of today are doing. Then someone gets them to cup their hands hold fingers and thumbs tight together. When the natural thing is far better. Too many of us try to swim on top of the water when we should just relax and let the water do its thing. I have found if you have a coach or teacher that has the right stuff it comes very easy to swim.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'll let you know how it goes. This is a great forum. I've been reading posts here for a long time -- hoping to pick up a good tip here and there. Its been quite a struggle for me the last year. Many times I've thought about throwing in the towel. But with a new coach and help from the users on this board, maybe I can turn things around.

Thanks everyone for the advice on gaining endurance. Your tips finally paid off. I have been increasing my yardage over the last few months while decreasing the amount of breaths between each non stop swim. Today I swam 1900 yards straight. Now that I have a little endurance, I guess I'll start working on technique. Although I think my technique has improved with distance because I can relax a little more knowing that I'm able to breath. Anyway, thanks again.

Wow - Congratulations. That is a wonderful improvement. Keep up the good work!

Wow, this is just terrific news, look how far you have come with dedication. 1900 yards is a far cry from where you were. I am thrilled for you and your progress. It sure makes it more fun, doesn't it? And a relief to be able to enjoy swimming. donna

The purpose of many of the more basic TI drills are to help one gain a self awareness of balance and relaxation in the water. With out making any assumptions as to how you have progressed toward achieving this goal, I will say this: A precise incremental approach can lead you to an increase in endurance. Try to swim something like this: 4 lengths (each separated by as many deep relaxing breaths as is necessary to prepare you for the next length) lets say 5. Next step; 4 x 25 with a 4 breath rest interval; etc 3 breath; etc 2 breath; until you can swim 100 yds straight. Next step; 8 x 25 with a 5 breath rest interval..............you get the picture. The same approach can be used for gains in technique. Wannabe, I ditto the sentiment of your post from March 19. I read Dave's response, which is quoted above, and tried the incremental method in the pool today. It worked mighty well indeed, so now I have a plan to follow: patiently mixing drills and full stroke with a little more attention to detail. I got a lower stroke count per length with the little pause every 25 m, because I could glide longer on each stroke without asphyxia, and breathe every third. Why didn't I think of this before! Thanks for the glorious advice, Dave, and congratulations on your improvement, Wannabeaswimmer! Still high on endorphins,:violin:I'm Sven.

Appreciate all the kind words. I had a lot of swimming fears from childhood and wanted to finally learn how to swim. Doing this at the age of 47 was a little embarassing but I'm glad I did it. This forum is a tremendous help. Thanks to all the posters who are kind to the beginners. And to all those who think they are too old to learn how to swim or excel beyond a few lengths of the pool, rethink your goals.