Getting back in the pool
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369 days
cjhoffmn posted 47 weeks ago.
I just started swimming this summer as well, and had a great deal of trouble breathing. A coach helped me out quite a bit by having me to the catch-up drill to regulate timing and the six kick drill (where you stop your arms at the completion of a stroke so that one arm is extended and the other is down by your hip - you turn on your side and kick 6 times before you roll back over and take the next stroke) to encourage me to rotate my body, rather than turn my head
I've found that I can't really take deep breaths if I don't roll my body in the water, but if I do roll, I can take as long of a breath as I want. That's made a big difference in my breathing.
Hope that helps.
To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!
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trimas posted 47 weeks ago.
That happens to me too. Not to worry, though. It will come back. Find a master's swim class that will keep you swimming over the fall and winter months. I just learned how to swim 1.5 years ago and breathing was a HUGE problem for me. If you can't get into a class, try to get in the pool at least twice a week. Then try and do some bilateral breathing drills- B3, B5 even try some B7, but not too many of those. Vary your intensity as well.
Matt
477
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1257 days
geochuck posted 47 weeks ago.
We must get air out in order to take air in.
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trimas posted 47 weeks ago.
That reminds me, when I was learning how to swim, I had to "re-learn" how to breath. I was "shallow-breathing"- which involved using the top portion of my chest only. I had to learn to breath with my belly using the diaphragm. Geochuck brings up a good point- sounds like you may be stacking- not expelling enough air when exhaling. Again, it was a problem for me too. Try concentrating on fully exhaling. I also think its a function of how relaxed in the water you are, which improves with time.
Matt
35
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373 days
MITriGuy posted 44 weeks ago.
As a follow up to this, I sort of figured out what I was doing wrong. First of all was I was not reaching far enough in front of me. I was cutting to close and sideways in front. Secondly, I was not relaxed enough and was actually exhaling too much. I worked on it and swam about 1.5 miles the other day just fine. Now I need to figure out those flip turns so I can keep a good rhythm.
Well the weather around here has changed and open water swimming is pretty much done. I went to the gym today and used the pool and noticed that I am having issues swimming in the pool again. I know the wetsuit has helped but I am having the most trouble breathing. Anyone else having similar issues and what did you do to correct them?
I've never been a swimmer and only started this summer since I was starting to do triathlons so I know my technique isnt all that great. At my last race I swam 1000 in 22:14 but today in the pool I felt like I couldnt get enough air into my lungs to keep going.