Hi Everyone, I just registered today in hopes of getting some good information from experienced swimmers.
Me: I'm 39 years old, 6' 5", 225 pounds. I'm in good shape, I've played sports and been active my whole life. I'm a good runner (again) and a good cyclist. Because of my lack of swimming, I've only done team competitions or duathlons. I'm currently training for my first real triathlon (sprint distance .25 mi swim in San Pablo Bay, wetsuits allowed).
My Swimming: ...Is horrible. I took lessons when I was 8 and nothing since then. I've never been afraid of the water and I've always enjoyed playing in the water, surfing, snorkeling, etc. I took a few lessons last summer and finally learned to swim with my face in the water and rotate to breathe. Still, I cannot swim farther than 25 meters without stopping to catch my breath even if just for 15-20 seconds. I can easily do this for 20+ plus lengths. Unfortunately, there are no walls in triathlon and the water depth is usually greater than 3 feet! I've always envied good swimmers and though I've always been a good athlete, it is the one thing that has eluded me. I started taking lessons again with a different coach (this past Saturday).
Needless to say, I have a lot of questions and I'm hoping that you guys can help me out here. The more I try to study the skill of swimming, the more confused I get. Maybe I'm reading and thinking about it TOO much? I appreciate any feedback or advice.
Head Position: TI teaches head low in the water, eyes looking at the bottom of pool. My coach last summer taught the same thing. My new coach says head is way too low and making my breathing a lot harder than it should be. New coach says look at the opposite end of the pool. Which one is right? Some people say look at the floor 6 feet ahead. Is there a right and a wrong?
Kick: How do I develop a strong kick and do I need one? TI says no kickboard and to develop a non-overt kick. Both of my coaches said my kick stinks and put me on kickboards. When kicking, should the feet stay close together (i.e., pigeon toed)?
Breathing: Here's a good one.:wiggle: TI doesn't focus on breathing a lot in any of the materials that I've read or seen. My new coach says breathe out through nose and in through mouth. She also says breathe all air out before taking a breath. If I don't do this (except during extreme physical exertion on land) why would I do it while swimming the first event in a 3 event race? She also recommends NOT breathing every 2nd stroke but every 3rd (bilateral) or even 4th. As it stands now, I need to catch my breath after every 25 meters so I'm not doing something right. Am I breathing too much or not enough? Am I hyperventilating?
I'm starting to get frustrated and have doubts but I'm trying to keep a positive attitude but that little voice in my head keeps telling me "Other people are swimmers but YOU are NOT". I'm not ready to give up yet though. I dreamed of doing triathlons in the mid 80s and never did. I would like to accomplish this before my 40th birthday!
Sorry the length of the post, any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!
Former Member
More good advice guys, I really appreciate. I can't wait to get to the pool today and work on a few of these things. Good swimmers make it look so easy but it's not. It is a thing of beauty to watch though. There was a woman at the pool the other day that kept her head high in the water, looked like just above her goggles, hips high, feet barely breaking the surface and banging out laps like nothing. Good flip turns too.
I'll keep working...
:)
A good way to practice this is to do it while running and to use your feet as a pacer. So breath out for four steps, breath in for two. That'll help you get used to the rythm of it. I agree with breathing every three - it's ideal. But I'm weak, so what I usually end up doing is breathing two to one side then two to the other, so I guess my breathing pattern is 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3. 4 strokes is probably too much for a beginner.
That is an EXCELLENT idea! I will try it the next time I go for a run.
I tried breathing out through nose/mouth yesterday and was able to swim 50 meters without stopping (for the first time).
You guys are giving me such good advice. I really do appreciate it. All of your combined years of knowledge is priceless.
To all the good people that gave me such valuable advice, just thought I would let you know about my progress. I went swimming today and did about 10 laps, no problem. I can now do 3 laps in a 25m pool without taking a break. My breaks are 30 seconds or less and then I'm good to go for another 75 or 100 meters. No more 25s and hanging on the wall for 2 or 3 minutes!!
I really feel like I'm making progress! I'm having a lot fun doing it as well. Here are few things that I think have helped me get to where I am:
I'm much more relaxed. Incremental progress is giving me more confidence.
I don't swim with my head so deep now, this is making it much easier to breathe and I don't have to rotate quite so far.
I try to stretch out and lengthen my body as much as possible.
I don't rotate to breathe on the right side until I just see my left hand enter the water. I think I was breathing a split second too early.
I'm concentrating on NOT holding my breath. I'm focusing on either breathing in or breathing out the entire time.
I'm trying to work on my kick by not bending at the knees so much and not taking such large kicks. I think about my big toes "fighting" each other.I have a sprint triathlon openwater swim of .25 miles coming up in early June. I'm determined to make it!!!!
:party2:
Hello, I just joined today as well. Im 35 years old and in pretty good shape i run in the spring when the weather is warmer .I have been swimming now for the past two sesions with my daugher and she is on the polar bears swim team so we race each other all the time she is getting so fast its hard for me to keep up. But, Im looking to swim I guess is how do i know when there is swim meets around. I know that im able to swim a 25 meter 2 laps with 2 breaths but not sure is that the right way to go. or how many breaths your suppose to have. so if anyone has any suggestions on anything please let the new person now.
thank you
I think it varies quite a bit. Sprinters normally take fewer breaths while distance swimmers normally breathe every 2 or 3 strokes. I don't think there are any set rules about this though. People who know a lot more about this than I, will probably be along shortly.
Just a brief update to show you that I have not wasted all that valuable advice:
Sunday I did a 1 mile jog to the pool. I started swimming and everything felt OK, not great, but OK. Felt like my timing was off. Swam a few laps but had to take breaks every 50 or 100 meters. Then, my left shoulder started hurting on recovery. I swam a few more laps really easy and was pretty much ready to get out before becoming either injured or frustrated.
I took a nice long break and did a few bobs and figured I would swim another slow easy lap or so. We'll, I swam 4 laps (my previous max) and then I just kept going and going, and going. I actually lost track of my laps but I think I was at 8 or 10 or so. It was easily over .25 miles. I felt great and jogged a mile home, feeling on top of the world.
I'm not saying I made a major breakthrough but after I stopped trying so hard and just took it easy, I was able to keep going! I felt like I was getting a really good breath each time. I think I've at least reached a mental milestone. I'm not looking back!!
:drink:
After looking back at my swimming over the past couple of weeks, I think I did in fact have a breakthrough on April 14th. Everything just seems much easier now, especially with breathing. Now, I can easily swim 400m to 500m without stopping. I still have to "think" about swimming quite a bit and have to really concentrate but it seems much easier.
Also, early on I think the wall was a mental barrier for me (swim to the wall for safety kindof thing).
I take about 21 strokes per length. I know that's not great but my swimming buddy takes 43!
Thanks to all for your advice and words of encouragement!! I look forward to swimming for the rest of my life.
I went swimming from 6p.m. to about 7:15 p.m. and i was able to do a 50 meter swim and felt pretty good tonight for me was the first without getting out of breath. im able to hold me breath the whole length of the pool so for me to swim and breath is all new to me. but it was a good workout for tonight, we will see how friday is :cheerleader:
