I've watched a lot of swimmers in elite competition in for instance 1500m who breathe every stroke. However when I swim distance I still have to use bilateral breathing. I've tried breathing every stroke like they do, but I find myself getting light headed. What's the best way to learn to control your breathing to do long distance well? Thanks,
David
Parents
Former Member
David,
I grew up a distance swimmer training to breathe every 3 strokes as a classic bilateral pattern. Nowadays I do some variant of a 2-2-3-2-3-2, etc. pattern (e.g., breathe R,R,L,L,R,R, etc.). This seems to allow me to get more air and keep the bilateral component that I feel I need for stroke balance.
Same here, but in my 2nd life as a swimmer (15 years off inbetween) I'm much more a right side only every other breather in distance. I try that same pattern as above since it usually puts me going into the way the same way every lap, breathe to the right into the wall.
The original poster should also keep in mind that he comparing himself to elite 1500 swimmers. They have just a "little" over us.
David,
I grew up a distance swimmer training to breathe every 3 strokes as a classic bilateral pattern. Nowadays I do some variant of a 2-2-3-2-3-2, etc. pattern (e.g., breathe R,R,L,L,R,R, etc.). This seems to allow me to get more air and keep the bilateral component that I feel I need for stroke balance.
Same here, but in my 2nd life as a swimmer (15 years off inbetween) I'm much more a right side only every other breather in distance. I try that same pattern as above since it usually puts me going into the way the same way every lap, breathe to the right into the wall.
The original poster should also keep in mind that he comparing himself to elite 1500 swimmers. They have just a "little" over us.
