I've been teaching myself to swim and I'm trying to develop good technique right from the get go.
I've been reading about body rotation in free stroke and bilateral breathing.
I'd be considered an adult learner and I've never been in the water before. I started teaching myself 5 days ago and I spent 1 hour a day in the water.
When i get in the water, I kick off, begin exhaling through my nose strongly, kick with my legs but be careful to not bend my knees, look straight down at the pool, keep my fingers together and point my elbow angled towards the sky when my arm breaks the water's surface and then I angle it in and bring it down in front of my face and pull it towards my waist.
I'm finally at the point where I can swim half a lap on one breath but I can't get breathing down unilaterally or bilaterally.
When I turn my head to get a breath, I don't ever experience the "bow wave" and water just rushes into my mouth from all sides and from the top of my head and goggles.
Also, as of yesterday I've been experiencing dull aching shoulder pain when trying to swim *** stroke.
I get the pain if i'm standing up and raising my right shoulder to neck height.
What can i do about this, I don't want to give up swimming as well because I can't run due to flat feet and previous meniscus complications.
It may be that you are doing something that puts your right shoulder in a weird position or under too much strain. You may not be aware you are even doing it. For instance, you talk about putting your hand in front of your face--your hand might be crossing in front of your body, which could lead to strain.
You could also be doing too much too fast. Going from nothing to an hour in the water--and maybe an hour in the water for 5 days straight (it's not clear)--is probably too much too soon.
On the other hand, it's hard to visualize what you are doing from your description. Why not get a lesson? Someone looking at you can offer instant corrections to your stroke and might be able to see immediately why you might be having shoulder pain.
It may be that you are doing something that puts your right shoulder in a weird position or under too much strain. You may not be aware you are even doing it. For instance, you talk about putting your hand in front of your face--your hand might be crossing in front of your body, which could lead to strain.
You could also be doing too much too fast. Going from nothing to an hour in the water--and maybe an hour in the water for 5 days straight (it's not clear)--is probably too much too soon.
On the other hand, it's hard to visualize what you are doing from your description. Why not get a lesson? Someone looking at you can offer instant corrections to your stroke and might be able to see immediately why you might be having shoulder pain.
