I can't seem to improve my speed. I basically taught myself to swim as an adult, with a few tips here and there from lifeguards who would see me swimming. My stroke got decent enough that I could swim 9 miles in open water. But my speed was and is bad...I swim a 33-35 minute mile, both in the pool and in open water. So this summer, I went to coach here in San Diego who has coached a lot of channel swimmers and he totally changed my stroke over the course of a few sessions. He said I should definitely be able to swim a sub-30 minute mile.
Now, I like the new stroke a lot but it hasn't really increased my speed! What is going on? My coach suggested that I breathe every two strokes because he said oxygen is a limitation, but I kind of rejected that--i feel a lot more balanced if i breathe on both sides. Should I listen to him if i want to get faster? If my stroke is good, does that mean i am just slow because i'm not working hard enough? Should I go for more sessions with the coach? I'm not trying to win races or anything, but it just seems odd that the old guys more than twice my age are swimming faster than me!
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Former Member
Whoa i'm confused...when i say it takes me 21 strokes i mean counting each arm as one stroke--is that correct?
Yes, while I have never been an athletic person, i am in very good shape so i know i should be able to swim faster. In addition to swimming and surfing, i run and do a little bit of weight lifting.
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 150
Age: 29
Generally i just jump in and swim--how far depends greatly on the water temperature--i'll swim anywhere from half a mile to 9 miles. When i was correcting my technique, i did do a little speed work in the pool...i'd do 50s or 100s or 400s and try to do them fast. I believe even if i sprint, it still takes me almost 45 seconds to do 50 meters. My stroke feels good, in that i feel like i could do it forever and not get tired...but it hasn't translated into faster speed.
Whoa i'm confused...when i say it takes me 21 strokes i mean counting each arm as one stroke--is that correct?
Yes, while I have never been an athletic person, i am in very good shape so i know i should be able to swim faster. In addition to swimming and surfing, i run and do a little bit of weight lifting.
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 150
Age: 29
Generally i just jump in and swim--how far depends greatly on the water temperature--i'll swim anywhere from half a mile to 9 miles. When i was correcting my technique, i did do a little speed work in the pool...i'd do 50s or 100s or 400s and try to do them fast. I believe even if i sprint, it still takes me almost 45 seconds to do 50 meters. My stroke feels good, in that i feel like i could do it forever and not get tired...but it hasn't translated into faster speed.
