Swim Help for a Novice

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swim Help for a Novice Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-08-27 7:54 AM

User image

Member
53
2525
San Antonio
Subject: Swim Help for a Novice

I've been swimming literally for about 1 week now. I get two free sessions with a coach, but after that, I can't pay for one until January when I get my raise. I have it in cement for January!

Today I was actually able to make a full lap without choking on the water as my head turned to breath LOL...I can swim 400 meters but that's with alot of rests on the wall on one end or the other and having to flip on my back from time to time.

In the meantime, do I build a base in swimming like I do running and cycling, focusing on endurance and yardage?  I am no where ready for speed yet, as I'm still getting the breathing technique down. I feel like I should focus on at least being able to swim 400 meters to start with, but again I could be totally wrong.

2008-08-27 8:14 AM
in reply to: #1631477

User image

Expert
640
50010025
Montreal
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice

Sounds like you are on the right track.   Just get in the pool and do what you can. Your endurance will start to show once you become more comfortable in the water.  Practice what your coach/ teacher has already told you.  With good technique the speed will come.  

Mike

2008-08-27 8:20 AM
in reply to: #1631477

Master
1895
1000500100100100252525
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice

You're on the right track.  But it always helps to have a plan to follow.  I've used these from an article I found on BT and thought they were very useful. 

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

400 Endurance 

Warm-up
4x25
Main Set
Drill
2x25 pull
Ladder
25, 50, 50, 25
Cool-down
2x25

2008-08-27 8:24 AM
in reply to: #1631531

User image

Member
53
2525
San Antonio
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice

Thank you both! In the workout, does the word "pull" simply mean what I think it does...focusing on arms while sticking that pull bouy (sp) thing between the legs?

2008-08-27 8:32 AM
in reply to: #1631477

User image

Veteran
197
100252525
Jamestown, NC
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice
Keep up the work. Yes indeed work on endurance and yardage. It will come easy sooner than you think.

The best thing I can suggest is to focus on stroke mechanincs as much as possible as soon as possible so that you do not have to relearn the swim stroke. I didn't do that and have spent most of this year having to start over almost. I am not in a lot better shape than last year but I am swimming a lot faster because of the focus on mechanics.

Books, articles here, videos here are some great places to start a self-tutorial on how to swim effeciently.

2008-08-27 8:33 AM
in reply to: #1631477

User image

Veteran
199
100252525
The Ocean State
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice
Check out BigfuzzyDoug's 10 points on this thread http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=117554&start=1. This helped me (and apparently many others)out tremendously. Many also suggested reading or watching the Total Immersion Freestyle made Easy material. This also helped me as a novice.

2008-08-27 8:39 AM
in reply to: #1631477

Coltonville,Illinois
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice

To answer your pull buoy question, yes, pulling is when you use the pull buoy between

your thighs and concentrate on using your arms.



Edited by HAPPD 2008-08-27 8:43 AM
2008-08-27 1:14 PM
in reply to: #1631477

User image

Member
53
2525
San Antonio
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice
Thanks to everyone for the links and pointers...looks like I've got some reading to do :-).
2008-08-27 11:10 PM
in reply to: #1631477

Member
48
25
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice

Reiterating what everyone has said, definitely work on the form of the stroke as it will help drastically in terms of efficiency and energy exertion. Speed come later. It seems like you're on the right track and I'm so happy for you!! Keep it up! I don't know about base, but usually you can play around with distance during the warm up (no pressure in doing main sets and drills) - just plain consistent swim in a set distance (say 100m first couple weeks, then moving up) to loosen you up.

 m2c

2008-08-28 10:35 AM
in reply to: #1633824

User image

Member
53
2525
San Antonio
Subject: RE: Swim Help for a Novice
Thanks Drewhistle!!!
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swim Help for a Novice Rss Feed