Hi,
I am a very new adult swimmer, having started learning freestyle in April. I can swim breaststroke well enough to not stop for about 250 yards. But Freestyle really kicks my butt, and after 3 months of practicing everyday, I still cannot do 50 yards non-stop. I can start out breathing every 4 strokes, but halfway through the first 25 yards, I am out of breath and breathing every other stroke. By the time I get through the first 25 yards, I'm practically hyperventilating, and need a good minute to catch my breath. I have asthma, but it's only the freestyle that kills me. Does my body weight have a lot to do with this? (I'm overweight and I'm trying to lose it, and have been swimming 7 days a week, and weight-training 3 days a week) The coaches/instructors I've worked with all say that I have good form in the water for someone who has only just learned the stroke (of course there are things I need to improve on), and that I will improve over time. But it is SO frustrating to not be able to see progress in this area.
Any advice besides being patient and keep swimming??? I would so appreciate it!
Thanks,
Tina
Having never seen you swim, here are 2 ideas:
1. Easy fix - Make sure you are blowing out completely while underwater - when you turn your head to breathe, you just want to breath IN not waste time breathing out first.
2. Harder fix - Check your balance in the water. Several beginners kick their brains out to try and get to a horizontal position in the water. Yes, kicking is good, but I'm talking kicking like you're doing a 50 sprint... Legs are a major user of oxygen. You should be able to keep your butt up using core strength and pushing down on the buoyant part of your body - your chest/lungs. Legs should be used for forward propulsion and to assist some with rotation... not to keep feet from sinking! :)
Having never seen you swim, here are 2 ideas:
1. Easy fix - Make sure you are blowing out completely while underwater - when you turn your head to breathe, you just want to breath IN not waste time breathing out first.
2. Harder fix - Check your balance in the water. Several beginners kick their brains out to try and get to a horizontal position in the water. Yes, kicking is good, but I'm talking kicking like you're doing a 50 sprint... Legs are a major user of oxygen. You should be able to keep your butt up using core strength and pushing down on the buoyant part of your body - your chest/lungs. Legs should be used for forward propulsion and to assist some with rotation... not to keep feet from sinking! :)
