I didn't know where to post this..sorry.
I'm 18yrs old and have been told my body type is dense in water. I have great genetics besides the fact that I'm 5'4, I use to play football up until i started to wrestle in 10th and 11th grades, body build, and now I just run and do calisthenics so I have great endurance.
I'm training for AirForce CCT and I need to be a proficient swimmer before this September. I can't even swim 150m. I do 50m and am out of breathe and my muscles fatigue quickly. I have good technique I think and its most likely the breathing that does me in.
I start off breathing every 5 strokes than tire out to every 3 strokes. I read online that I might take in to much oxygen and not expell all of it which causes a Carbon Dioxide build up over time. After my breath is taken I hold it until after the count of strokes is take then on my turn I exhale all at once like a burst. Am I suppose to exhale immediately, slowly after taking a breath and not inhale more than necesarry?
I need help and my goal is to be able to 1000-2000m nonstop freestyle. I need to be able to do at least 1000m before I can leave for CCT training as Combat Diver and SCUBA school is intense.
Also in the amount of time from now until September, will I be able top go from where I am at to swimming 1000-2000m nonstop?
Parents
Former Member
When I was learning to swim, I had a breakthrough day when all the pieces came together. I went from struggling to survive 25 yards to being able to swim as far as I wanted.
Keys:
* Breathe every 2 or 3 armpulls. You can breathe on the left on odd laps, on the right on even laps to learn bilateral breathing but get enough air while beginning. If you focus on exhaling your air underwater, the inhale will take care of itself.
* Relaxing means that you must not tense up body parts that are not assisting in propulsion or body alignment. (Sitting in a chair is tiring if you tense up all your muscles.) The muscles used in recovery aren't the same as those used in propulsion. Relax one set while you use the other.
* Slowing down. You aren't training to see how fast you can go 25 meters. Kicking hard is really tiring.
You have good cardiovascular endurance, but this is all new to your swim muscles. Give them some time.
And floating - yes, having body fat helps a lot. Having big lungs helps a lot. And having good technique to learn how to leverage your natural abilities helps a lot.
Eggbeater kick - I learned that in a synchro swim intramural club in high school. Maybe there are some synchro websites with tips.
When I was learning to swim, I had a breakthrough day when all the pieces came together. I went from struggling to survive 25 yards to being able to swim as far as I wanted.
Keys:
* Breathe every 2 or 3 armpulls. You can breathe on the left on odd laps, on the right on even laps to learn bilateral breathing but get enough air while beginning. If you focus on exhaling your air underwater, the inhale will take care of itself.
* Relaxing means that you must not tense up body parts that are not assisting in propulsion or body alignment. (Sitting in a chair is tiring if you tense up all your muscles.) The muscles used in recovery aren't the same as those used in propulsion. Relax one set while you use the other.
* Slowing down. You aren't training to see how fast you can go 25 meters. Kicking hard is really tiring.
You have good cardiovascular endurance, but this is all new to your swim muscles. Give them some time.
And floating - yes, having body fat helps a lot. Having big lungs helps a lot. And having good technique to learn how to leverage your natural abilities helps a lot.
Eggbeater kick - I learned that in a synchro swim intramural club in high school. Maybe there are some synchro websites with tips.
