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?
Former Member
It sounds like you are expelling too much air and having to gulp your air in. You should also increase your body roll to ease your air in take. Anyone can swim a mile in 25 minutes at a relaxed pace if your technique is good. I call it easy swimming. Let the forces of the water push you to the surface, don't try to swim above the water. While easy swimming you can finish lower on your thigh than when you are sprinting. Just let it happen. When swimming distance you do not have to overkick this can also be very tiring.
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.
Thats exactly what I do, gulp in air. Wow you are on good and pretty on point lol.
My next swim workout is Thursday, I'm not going to even bother trying tomorrow (Today I did 3mile run-tried 1mile swim-and another 3mile run....all back to back and the runs were bother under 23mins each) lol.
So I will "easy swim" and calmly work my way across the pool and practice breathing the air not gulping it in.
I found a website strokedocswim.com and the 1-1 private single lesson is $90, is that worth the price? I can't find anything else online.
A short video, side view, front view, back view, and or underwater views. I can just imagine what you are doing it would be good to see what you are doing.
I really do not mind TI instruction but I would ask for a guarantee. When I operated my swimming school I had a quarantee on my results. I always gave a free consultation and then guarantee the results of what I could do. If no result free lessons until result was attained.
Alright but any help with the egg beater kick? It gets really tiring and no matter how hard I kick I sick. I'm obviously using the wrong technique so are there any tips? I'm going to see if I get help fro a swim coach in about 2weeks but until then can you give tips on the egg beater? I can't do it and need to be able to without my hands.
Also today my workout required me to swim 1mile with fins in less than 30min. I swam for 30 minutes stopping about every 200m and treaded water after words also with the fins for about 2 sets of 1:30min. I tried inhaling less oxygen and breathing out slowly while stroking but every time I rolled to breathe in the bow I took water in and started choking. Also breathing out slowly while swimming is difficult. The pressure is nothing compared to running or any other physical activity and throws me off. But doing it did help a great amount. Although I just need to better the technique and get use to the breathing....I think.
$90 seems rather expensive. Maybe you should ask the lifeguard where you swim if they ever give lessons or know anyone who does. Or contact some of the masters coaches in the area for private lessons or referrals.
Giodamus, I would recommend an in-water coach for a few sessions. People who can help you might be all around you. Park district lifeguards, Y's -- all sorts of places and people. Exhaling comfortably in water and a comfortable floating position will probably be top of the list. Or try www.totalimmersion.net for a Total Immersion coach or group lesson in your area.
I think your goal is highly achievable. All types of bodies learn to swim.
:)
I'm planning on getting help from a Total Immersion coach in my area for a one hour lesson at the price of $90. Expensive but it seems worth it since its TI and 1-1 coaching.
A free lesson?! WHAT?! I should mention this to this TI coach.
Your local recreation dept probably offers lessons 10 lessons for $100. I prefer group lessons because a 1 hr private lesson it is hard to learn everything during one visit. I used to teach individual lessons by the half hour so the client does not become overloaded.
