In workouts I'm breathing every stroke and into and out of every flipturn. Even worse, once I am really gasping for air (in the middle of a hard set or on the 3rd turn of a 100) I am almost coming to a stop off the turn to catch my breath. I've been swimming 2000-3000 yards 3x/week for the last 18 months dropping intervals and increasing speed but I guess I am still just not in good enough cardiovascular shape?
Of course, it can't help that I have been constantly reinforcing bad habits. But can I just keep plugging away and eventually the fatigue from swimming the length will at least equal the fatigue from the turns?
The alternative I imagine is some kind of hypoxic training that is going to make me miserable. But I'm willing to do what I've gotta do at this point.
Parents
Former Member
There are two possibilities that have been covered here: (1) health - are you overweight, smoke or have heart issues? A doctor can help if any of these are a factor.
(2) Breathing - the need to exhale cannot be stressed too much. And the term that is well used for exhaling while swimming is to "explode" your breath while your face is still in the water. It is a good drill, creating a habit of exhaling BEFORE turning your head to breathe. Many swimmers are so intent on tuning their stroke or making adjustments while swimming that they forget to breathe. Sounds odd, but once you are focused on the phenomenon, you will understand. Bearing down to do one last hard swim, or finish a fast interval will sometimes delay or even suspend the timing of your breathing.
There are two possibilities that have been covered here: (1) health - are you overweight, smoke or have heart issues? A doctor can help if any of these are a factor.
(2) Breathing - the need to exhale cannot be stressed too much. And the term that is well used for exhaling while swimming is to "explode" your breath while your face is still in the water. It is a good drill, creating a habit of exhaling BEFORE turning your head to breathe. Many swimmers are so intent on tuning their stroke or making adjustments while swimming that they forget to breathe. Sounds odd, but once you are focused on the phenomenon, you will understand. Bearing down to do one last hard swim, or finish a fast interval will sometimes delay or even suspend the timing of your breathing.
