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?
Parents
Former Member
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.
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.
