Slow swimmer

I think that's quite a reasonable time for a beginner. I use the clocks at my pool, and I can normally do 25y in 25 seconds; 50 in 55, and 100 is just about 2 minutes.

OK--that sound's pretty great to me! The biggest and most important foundation key to swimming are the things you just named. Now that you have that, you can start to work on short sprints--maybe do a few more reps in your upper body weight lifting. Come on, katfan97--you're doing great!!

Maybe this will give you some perspective. I've been swimming now for about 2 1/2 years--started just so that I could try. Never got any swim lessons, just sort of did the self taught thing. I know my form is crap, I know my position is inferior. I have a fair amount of strength, but I CANNOT push past my 1:55min/100. It has gone down from about 2:20, but it ain't going any faster!! Until I deal with form, it probably won't!!

So as far as I'm concerned, you are on your way!! Really! Pat yourself on the back--could you have imagined that you would have come so far 6 months ago??

(o:

Dana

Have you tried getting books and videos? That might help. I'm thinking of trying it but I'm not sure how helpful it would be. It's a lot cheaper tho!

How you guys deal with leg/calf cramps??. I'm taking htis swimming lessons, and the last time I had a cramp that almost split my calf in two.

I'm a bit sore but looking forward to tonight class.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I guess for some reason, I think that I should be doing better. Probably my ego getting in the way!

As for calf cramps....why would you be cramping in the pool? Lack of fluids prior to workout. Intense running/cycling prior to getting in the pool? Nerves? Try to relax, and enjoy the rhythm and fluid movement.

Swimming is extremely similar to golf--mostly technique oriented with less focus on power. Any way possible to enhance your technique will increase your speed/range.

Books and videos help on a shoestring, but not many golfers get to be decent without some 1-1 observation and instruction. Just a few sessions can make tremendous improvements. If you can, try to space out any lessons so that you get 2-3 solo sessions on your own in between.

If limited to self coaching, take someone to dinner or buy them a bottle of wine if they will stand on the pool deck and video you. If you're doing book/video work, you'llhave an idea of what the stroke/timing should look like and you can quite easily pick out some things on your own form by comparing them.

I, too, have had a little more than four months of real training at swimming. When I first jumped in the pool back in February, I could not swim more than 50 meters without stopping. Now, just yesterday I swam 800 meters without stopping in 16:03 - that's 2:00/100 meters roughly. I felt like I could keep going on and on and on, also... I also feel like I am getting better at feel, rhythm, breathing and position. In short, I feel like I am on my way to becoming an adequate triathlon swimmer.

Now, let's consider a couple of points. In my race last week, a 500 meter open water swim, the fastest time was 5:04, while the average time was 13:03. That's a pace of 2:36 per 100! You are already way ahead of that! Of course, it should be noted that I was unnerved by the open water swim and posted a time of 13:34... Now, if you take the top 105 overall competitors, (a convenient number because I finished 105th of 460...) the average time was 10:57. Still slower than your pool average.

Look, you're not going to be Ian Thorpe or Michael Phelps after less than half a freaking year in the pool. As novice swimmers, I think our primary goal for the swim should be to get through it, swimming mostly freestyle, and without wasting large amounts of energy. Sounds like you are on your way.

sherrick,

I love the golf analogy!!
I've often thought of swimming like golf but can't really explain that.
I also agree about working with a coach or swim instructor. The one-on-one attention you will get will be invaluable to your swimming.

To the original poster: take a few lessons or find a clinic or class to sign up for in your area. If you're having trouble I do have some instructors that work with triathletes on swimming: http://www.triswimcoach.com/tsc/findacoach.html

If you are truly limited to training by yourself, the workout plans on this site, or the ones in my e-guide will prepare you for a race. I also include the drills and sets to keep your stroke on track as you train.

Good luck!
Kevin

OK, I've been swimming for years -but only recently started to train for speed. Here are my numbers:

I can do my first mile in just over 30 minutes -between 30 and 35, but the math is easier if we say 30 My second mile can go to 45 minutes or even an hour depending on what kind of day I've had. So, for the first mile, it works out to 58-ish yards per minute. So, in the two minutes that you swim 100 yards, I swim 116. Wow, that's an impressive difference to show for YEARS of training Oh well!

Another way to look at these same data is to conclude that your times are fine. Then we don't have to conclude that both yours AND mine stink. Deal?

Andrea

Yeah well, don't get too impressed. A good chunk of that second mile is side stroke.

Andrea