Beginning Swimmer - help?

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2007-02-28 7:51 AM

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Subject: Beginning Swimmer - help?
So I have been working with a coach on the TI techniques, and I can tell they are working. Before I couldn't swim 50m without stopping 1/2 way. Now I can finish (no speed record, but finish) the 50m fine and can do repeats with about 45s rest in between. But that is about it. I have tried doing longer and I wind up not being able to make it back to the wall without breast stroking b/c I run out of breath.

Anybody have any very beginner workouts that I can try? I really would like to be able to finish at least a sprint swim this year. And yes I plan to still work with the coach, just looking for some things to do in between our sessions.

2007-02-28 8:02 AM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?

Not sure if I'llbe much help but I'll give you my brief history with swimming and what I do now.

 

Back in late 2006 I decided that I would do a tri in 2007.  Got in the pool and said, "I'm a good swimmer how hard can this be?"  Got in and swam not even 1 length of the pool before I thought I was gonna die from lack of oxygen.  That was in front of my husband and kids!!  I vowed that I would not look likethat again.  I started swimming at any given chance.  Over time I have worked on the drills that McFuzz gave me (can't think what they are called but can describe them) and worked on my form.  Somehwere in early Feb I think it was I swam 1000 yards without stopping.  This was a HUGE deal for me.  I dont have the lung capacity that a lot of swimmers have so I breathe every stroke after the first lap.  I've tried going longer but then my form and everything else goes down the tube, if you know what I mean.

That's my story.  It doesn't help you much but I wanted you to know that you aren't alone in beginning swimming.  If you want advice you can get lots here.  There are lots of good mentors on here that have "been there, done that"

 

2007-02-28 8:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?

Don't worry about the distance just yet.  When I started last year I could swim but not fast, and not long.  The distance and speed will come as you build time in the pool.

Chances are you didn't go out and run a 5K your first time out or even in the first 3 months of running.  You built the base, then you increased speed.  That is what you are doing now, building the base of swim fitness.  Just keep working on the drills and the form the endurance will build over time. 

2007-02-28 8:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?

Talk to your coach.  He or she is in the best position to give you additional drills to work on between lessons. 

Have some patience, but building up swimming endurance takes time and effort.  My wife (BAMBAM66 here on BT) started swimming last fall (she knew how, but has never swam for fitness) and could barely swim 25 yards without gasping/struggling.  Last night, she swam for 30 minutes nonstop (1000 yards). 

2007-02-28 8:34 AM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?
Assuming you are swimming with correct form, I would recommend starting out by swimming for "time" versus distance. See if you can swim 5 minutes without stopping, do several sets of these 5 minute swims. Then each week, add a few minutes without stopping. Pretty soon, you will be swimming 15-20-30 minutes without stopping. At least this approach worked for me. Again, "assuming" you are swimming with correct form, you probably just need to build your base of volume before you start doing drills. I was where you are about a year ago and now can swim a mile nonstop with no problem. No expert here, but this worked for me. Good luck. Now if I could just have the same success with running...
2007-02-28 8:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?
I've been doing the TI drills also. Because of the amount of time in sweet spot you tend to get extra air. So when I went back to whole stroke swimming, I had trouble with air at 50m. Here is what helped me: Do the triple overswitches, and for the first 25m take three breaths in sweet spot. On the next 25m take only two breaths. If this feels ok, then (while swimming slow) go to one breath. Watch you head alignment, and don't strain your neck on the single breaths. Right now I am doing bi-lateral breathing on every third stroke. I have the TI workshop this weekend.


2007-02-28 8:49 AM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?
Thanks all. I guess I just need patience. Its frustrating b/c coming from a running background I know what to do and how to do it. But I have no swim experience at all so I just assumed once i got the form kind of ok I would just be able to swim at least a 100m. I guess not. I'll keep working at the 50m repeats and try to throw a 75m in there once and a while and keep working on it. I have another session with the coach next week hopefully.

Thanks again

Shortyy
2007-02-28 10:06 AM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?
I've never done TI but, from what I remember when I was at your current stage, the thing that helped me the most was learning to relax and slow down a bit. That's when I suddenly started swimming longer without getting out of breath. Once you get it, your max distance will increase by leaps and bounds. Good luck.
2007-02-28 2:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?

If you're looking for some beginner swim workouts, here are a few that a fellow BT'es wrote:

gsmacleod's series:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=528

and http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=755

2007-02-28 5:56 PM
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Subject: RE: Beginning Swimmer - help?
Shortyy - 2007-02-28 7:51 AM

So I have been working with a coach on the TI techniques, and I can tell they are working. Before I couldn't swim 50m without stopping 1/2 way. Now I can finish (no speed record, but finish) the 50m fine and can do repeats with about 45s rest in between. But that is about it. I have tried doing longer and I wind up not being able to make it back to the wall without breast stroking b/c I run out of breath.



Well, I would suggest that you try to take less rest between your 50's.

Now you are at 45 sec rest. Cut it down to 30 sec rest. If that's going good, then the next time, cut it down to 15 sec rest.

I think if you work on that, you will get your endurance up...and pretty soon... NO REST between 50's.

Best of luck to you!
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