Just a little frustrating
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Get a coach or join a team? There could be something fundamentally wrong with your technique. Swimming is more about proper technique than fitness, really. Maybe one day of swimming till you improve, then increase the load again.
I cant recommend some proper instruction enough.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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1376 days
trithis04 posted 3 years ago.
Sometimes, it just takes a while to build the muscle endurance for swimming. For me, I just continued to push the distance little by little. My body responded and progressed rather quickly. But if you've been at it for a while with no improvements then may triguy is right, you might want to find a coach. There may be a particular aspect holding you back.
[FONT=Impact]-Jason
"Fatigue will make cowards of us all!"
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1324 days
Tamara posted 3 years ago.
On a less scientific/technique angle, I know for myself it's more about learning to pace in the water. Within a few minutes/seconds of sprinting while running or biking you know it -- you're hot, sweaty, panting. Most of us have learned what all out effort is in those sports and how to dial it back (the difference in feeling btw/ a 9min mile, an 8min or a 6:30). On the other hand, you jump in the cool, refreshing pool and without meaning to you are pushing it to your utmost. Maybe just learning how to pace yourself and learning to differentiate between an easy swim vs. aerobic vs all-out sprint? Not discounting TriGuy's technique/coaching advice - just thinking this might be part of it, too!
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xcdave posted 3 years ago.
Don't be afraid to set a goal that seems small at first. Start with making 2 laps nonstop, and once you can do that comfortably, you can continue to build.
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trigger posted 3 years ago.
Thanks for the advice! I actually started working with a coach yesterday, and she did say my technique was - what was her word - oh - atrocious! So I guess the technique is the key and endurance will improve as my stroke improves? Thanks again - I'll get there if I don't drown first!
...and miles to go before I sleep.
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geochuck posted 3 years ago.
I taught a 80 year old to swim, she could not swim one length of the pool. After a lesson or two she finally made the length of the pool. She said "Thank you Mr Park you taught me to swim the length of the pool. Now please teach me to swim two". I said "turn around and go back".
Some people actually believe we swim on top of the water, get the body in there and let the water push you to the top. Breathing is important, don't just breathe in exhale. If you just breathe in it feels like you are going to burst, eg keep blowing into a ballon and it explodes.
Simple add a length a day and in 5 weeks you will swim 30 l. Don't rush get the distance in first then start thinking about time.
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Amy Lee posted 3 years ago.
hi trigger,
boy oh boy, can i relate to your frustrations. it took me a good 4 weeks of swim classes to get beyond getting winded and totally fatigued after swimming one measly 50 meter lap. i was so upset cause everyone was passing me by. turns out that my problem ( excuse me-one of my problems) was that i was lifting my head out of the water every time i took a breath. by the time i finished the lap i was completely exhausted. after i corrected this problem- the endurance seem to fall in to place.
get some instruction and focus on your technique. it's also important to just get out there and "swim for the sake of swimming," some days. forget about the drills and try to relax and enjoy yourself. i found the biggest improvement in my swimming endurance after these types of training days. i must also add the geochuck told me to do it and he RULES in my book! :D
hang in there!
Amy
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1292 days
trigger posted 3 years ago.
Amy, thanks for the encouragement! Reading through the posts on this site, it does seem like geochuck is the swimming guru! Too bad he's not in Albany! I appreciate these posts, makes me realize I'm not the only one to ever go through this. Of course, if I had thought about that for a minute I would have realized that anyway! Great advice about the swimming to swim. Sometimes I get so focused I forget to just relax and enjoy! Thanks!
...and miles to go before I sleep.
Hi everyone. I have a little problem. I am having some frustration over my swimming endurance. I have been swimming four to five days a week for about a month now, mostly working on technique, but I am still only able to swim one lap of the pool before needing a break. I thought I was in pretty good cardiovascular shape as I am training for a marathon in a couple of weeks, but it certainly isn't translating to swimming. I know there are so many variables at play here, but at what point should I begin to see at least a modicum of endurance improvment? What has been your experience?
...and miles to go before I sleep.