Fish Out of Water
81
Member
1551 days
pimm posted 3 years ago.
First off, congratulations on the great achievements in your life of late : it's not easy trying to make a change in lifestyle!
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As for your post :
I certainly know what you mean ...
I started off in the local pool, doing my laps as I still am ... I was hammered after 3-4 laps, running out of breath! (This was 2 yrs ago)
As I tried to teach myself rather than to rely on outside help, I observed the 'good (tri-)swimmers' in the pool [looking at those moves, kicks and breathing patterns]. After a while, I found my balance in breathing and a good rythm in swimming. This was all quite hard, 'cause you're not the only one there! So you have to know your place in the pool (which for me : NOT in the fast lane!) ...
So little by little you get stronger in the water, as your muscles and lungs will adapt to your new 'hobby'.
I've never relied on too much outside help as I've mentioned, but it can ofcourse speed things up a bit for you ... Ask your local swim coach what to do about your 'endurance'-issue or read the acticles on this Tri-website :
- Adapt your pace?
- Breathing every 1-3-4 strokes?
- ...
Anyhow, good luck and keep up the swimming.
255
Member
1307 days
Noel posted 3 years ago.
Hey man,
I only recently started with training specifically for tri's. Swimming is the most technical part of a triathlon, a lot of people will tell you. I found that one out VERY FAST. If you don't have a good "form"in the water... it is a struggle.. SH*T, I'm struggling there right with you. I went from swimming 100mtrs freestyle ( about 6 months ago), to doing 3000+ mtrs in training just yesterday. My trainer is a good swimmier and encouraged me to read "total immersion". It says, basically that you have to work on your technique and WHILE you do, you develop stamina and endurance "swimming-related". My legs where low in the water ( under a 30 degree angle if you will) this creates a great amount of drag. So he ( my trainer) told me to tilt my hips, so that you kind of keep you butt above the waterline. That alone made a big diffrence.
After a lot of other pointers I'm getting quite good at the swim training. And I think it's great you're putting so much effort in your new found goals and training. So just keep it going, read, train, listen and you'll get there. Even I found a way to swim more effciently.. and I am a crap technical-swimmer.
Noel.
www.noelbrand.blogspot.com
It ain't much, if it ain't Dutch!!
283
Member
1388 days
Amy Lee posted 3 years ago.
you have accomplished a lot in a year. 60 pound weight loss... that's downright incredible! congrats!
i too, have had a similar experience with the swimming or lack thereof... i should say. i started just two months ago at my local Y and i couldn't even swim 25 yards without huffing and puffing. i tried learning on my own for about two weeks and then made some great contacts at the Y and hooked up witha great tri training team. i only train with the team at the pool because the other two legs i feel comfortable with. i swim 4-5 days a week and now can swim 300- 400 meter clips slow but steady. the swimming is coming very slowly but i keep plugging away saying to myself... "someday this is gonna get easy."
i think that getting instruction early is key so you learn to develop your stroke, breathing and body position the proper way. otherwise you'll spend years trying to unlearn your mistakes. (at least that's what i have been told. ) plus you will meet the coolest people in this sport and it's fun to hang with the team post race.
so good luck... hang in there! the swim is an incredible challenge but you can do it! mind over matter and persevere!
5
Member
1305 days
sbaustin posted 3 years ago.
Thanks for all the great feedback and comments. I got the Total Immersion book today and will start working on technique. Might as well start off in the right pool so to speak. Have a good one.
I started my journey last year as a weight loss adventure and ended up doing a lot of walking, jogging, and now running. I consider myself in decent shape, I can run a 10 k close to a 8 minute pace. This from someone who couldn't slow jog 1 mile a year ago. After losing over 60 lbs my goal set type mind decided I needed a different challenge hence the reason I am here.
So, I've been swimming laps at the pool, but have realized I have never in my life swam for exercise. When I was probably 10, I competed in some local swim events but since then nada(29-male). After swimming 80-100 yds, I have to stop for 30s to a minute to rest and catch my breath. It takes me forever to swim 800 yds. I will keep pressing on swimming laps 3-4 times a week to build up, but am curious as to if there are any others out there who could share a similiar experience.