Yet another swimming breating question........

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2009-07-08 4:17 PM


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Subject: Yet another swimming breating question........
I am a new swimmer (still in my first month), and I am training for my first sprint tri in September.  I need some advice on breathing.  When I first started, I was breathing on only one side, every 2 strokes.  I was talking with a friend who has done many tris, and he suggested breathing on both sides, every 3 strokes (bilateral breathing?).  When I try this, I have the hardest time breathing, and it seems like such a struggle.  Is there any major drawback to breathing on one side?  What if I used a sequence like 2,2,2,3,2,2,2,3 so I am still breathing on both sides, but not going three strokes between each breath?  Does anyone do this?  What variations are there to this technique?  Thanks for any advice you can offer!

2009-07-08 4:21 PM
in reply to: #2271209

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Subject: RE: Yet another swimming breating question........
Bi-lateral breathing will help in the situation where rough water (chop, splash from other swimmers) makes it difficult to breath to one side (ocean swims and waves are a good example).  Also, I believe the less breaths you take can translate to faster swims.  That being said I tend to breath on one side when I get tired or out of breath.
2009-07-08 4:21 PM
in reply to: #2271209

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Subject: RE: Yet another swimming breating question........
It will take practice to breath on both sides.  An advantage to being able to breath on either side is when you are looking for landmarks to keep you on track you need to be able to breath on which everside they are on.  If you always breath to the right and the course markings are on your left then you will lose time and concentration by trying to figure out which side to breath on.

Also, when you breath it can slow you down some.  Just practice until it becomes more comfortable to breath on both sides every third stroke.
2009-07-08 4:24 PM
in reply to: #2271209

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Subject: RE: Yet another swimming breating question........
If you are just learning, I stay stick with 1 side and take a breath every stroke cycle (stroke, stroke, breathe). Later on, you can work on breathing on your weak side. Once you can do that, you can breathe every 3 or just breathe on the side that makes the most sense. For example, you are swimming parallel to shore, it might help if you breathe away from the incoming swells. Or, say your race has buoys on the left, it might be easier to sight if you breathe to your left. There is no law that says you must breathe every 3 strokes. In fact, as a beginner you will be better served learning to breathe WELL on one side first until you get other technique-related things taken care of.

2009-07-08 4:24 PM
in reply to: #2271209

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Subject: RE: Yet another swimming breating question........

You are still in your first month of swimming, trust me when I say continue to work on your bilateral breathing.  It will be very advantageous in the future. 

It took me a solid 3 to 4 months swimming 2 to 3 X per week when I first started swimming to comfortably swim bilaterally.  That was my experience.  And in hindsight, I am very glad I developed it very early on and now it is my preferred breathing pattern while training.  Stick with it  

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