Hi, all. I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I hope I'm not repeating any questions that may have previously been asked/discussed, but I'd like some advice and guidance on a couple issues:
1. What is the best way to work on increasing my endurance so that I can swim farther? Right now, I seem to tank at the 400 or 500 mark and can only do that distance for one set, so my workouts are mostly 100s. I'd like to get back to being able to do multiple 400 or 500 yd sets rather than only being able to do one set. Do I just suck it up and make my workout distances longer, or is there some combination of sprint, mid-distance, and distance that works better?
2. I suck on my breathing in and out of turns. I just can't seem to stick to the rule of not breathing on the last turn in or the first turn out. And when I do stick to that, I have to compensate by taking extra breaths on the lap. How can I fix this? Am I trying to swim too fast for my current lung capacity? Again, are their tricks or workouts to help me get over this?
Any guidance y'all can offer on these two issues would be greatly appreciated.
1) Well to do something better, you have to keep doing it until you improve. So if you're goal is to be able to swim multiple 400s in a set, then sorry, struggling thru then is one of the best ways. I feel you, I hate seeing anything longer than 3x200 pop up on the workout board. But this doesn't mean you have to immediately jump to 4x500. I would increase your sets, maybe starting at 4x200 on 2x, so if you do 100s on 1:45, then start with 3:30. Do that as part of your workout for a week, then 3x300 on 4:45 for a week, then 4x200 on 3:20 for a week, 3x400 on 4:40, etc. I would keep changing it up but always either increase the per rep distance or decrease the interval slightly.
- Are you exhaling while your head is still underwater? If not, then you are not letting yourself getting enough air when you breathe.
- Also what is your breathing pattern when you swim? Every 2 strokes? 4? 6?
- What is your stroke count for a length? How much air are you expelling on your turn? Pay attention to that next time you swim? I sometimes find myself really blowing out a lot of air on the turn making it much harder to resist breathing immediately.
- During your warmup, really concentrate on holding a good streamline off each turn and take 2 strokes before you take that first breath.
Former Member
Thanks for the input. Yes, a master's program is great- did one for close to a year out in CA and it most definitely helped on both fronts (endurance and breathing control). Unfortunately, right now, joining a master's program isn't an option due to cost and my current work schedule, but I would like to get back to one soon. Guess I'll just have to work to keep myself motivated, get back in the pool more often, and focus on the basics of my technique until then. Cheers!
Welcome!!!
What is the best way to work on increasing my endurance so that I can swim farther? Join a Masters club and workout regularly.
How can I fix this? Practice and pay attention to technique.
Again, are their tricks or workouts to help me get over this? There are no tricks, improving your swimming takes a level of commitment and most often good coaching.
I also agree with everyone. It just something you have to be conscience of and slowly increase one aspect of it consistently and you'll find once you don't have to think about it move to another area. And practice practice practice. Swimming well takes alot of it!!!
Former Member
I think sets of 200s are the key. You could swim every other repeat with a pull buoy if that makes it a little easer at first.
My breath control improved when I began bilateral breathing (every third). You might give that a try also.
