I suck at swimming.........Help (Page 2)

You sound like I was 2 years ago. I couldn't swim more than 2 laps without stopping. This wasn't just a one time thing, it was every time I went to the pool for about a year. No matter what I tried I just couldn't get better. It was pure frustration. Fast forward to now. Last week I swam 2.5 miles non-stop and I don't even consider it a workout unless I swim at least 2000 yards.

I can clearly remember the day all the frustration ended for me. It was my break-thru moment. I was finally able to forget about speed and focus on "slow". It doesn't matter how fast you go if you can not complete the distance.

Here's what worked for me. I pushed off the wall slowly with my feet and tried to glide. As I began to slow I swam one stroke. I did this several times, then I added a second stroke, and then another, etc. Each time I did this I tried to maintain the same "slow" pace. In my mind I kept telling myself I need to visualize myself in a marathon, but I am walking. In other words, I am doing a speed and effort that I can maintain all day. Eventually I made it to the end of the pool and I was relaxed and I was not winded.

Technique is very important. You will receive a lot of tips on BT. Once I was able to go slow I was able to apply these tips to improve my technique and become more efficient.

Btw, I did  have some very minor coaching. I was training with a group so we had a coach help us 2 or 3 times, but he basically did to me what your coach did to you. He was so shocked with how poor a swimmer I was he focused on the others because he pretty much thought I was a waste of time. I didn't have the funds to hire a personal coach so I had to self teach. Well, at my last tri I placed in the top 25% overall for the swim, so I guess it wasn't a waste of my time.

Good luck. Keep working at it and it will finally click.

They seem to be at the pool quite a bit. Show up about 10-15mins before practice and talk to the coach. Looks like you'd get the added benefit of as much training as you can stand, if you join the masters team.

Practice Days & Times: 

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 6:00am - 7:00am
• Monday through Thursday - 12:00am - 1:00pm
• Tuesday, Thursday - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
• Saturday - 7:00am - 8:00am