Swimming and pace control for proper breathing

Here's what I would suggest. Do a set of 25's, say 10X25's with 15 seconds rest or so inbetween each one. On each 25 force yourself to take 10 breaths (or whatever 2-3 strokes per breath gets you) and no more than X strokes. This will start to give you a consistent stroke and pace. Once you get the 25's down without screwing it up, then try 50's with a similar set of rules. By the time you get good at the 50's, you're going to have a pretty consistent stroke, at which time you can start to tweak it and improve. Hope this helps.

OK, so I made use of these very helpful suggestions and felt like I made some progress. 

More background that other newbies might find helpful.  Basically, I know enough to swim from one end of the lane to the other quickly before I sink and drown. It occurred to me as I endlessly analyze it in my head that, with running and biking, you aren’t really sprinting all the time. You jog. You cruise. You set a pace you can keep going for a longer period. I have to develop my ‘jog’ swim. Right now, I’m mentally conditioned to feel the need to sprint swim every time I push off the wall lest I sink and drown. If I could break that mindset, I could really concentrate on improving my form.

Doing the interval sets as you suggested TJ really helped me this morning.  I concentrated on rolling to the left and pulling my right shoulder up and my face towards the ceiling to breathe with every second stroke.  I slowed down my strokes as I did so.  I took a short break every 25 yards.  I did do one fifty yard stretch at 350 and 450 yards to see if I could hold form across two lengths of the pool.  I did so successfully. 

I learned a lot from the exercise.  I realized that my gasping was largely a function of water intake as I turned to breathe.  By slowing down my workout, I became acutely aware of what happens when I didn’t get my head turned far enough or I got splashed and took in water.  The reaction was obvious and not positive.  Totally blows up my breathing.  Minimizing that allowed me to stay controlled and focused.

Getting out of the pool without feeling dizzy or like I desperately needed to sit down was also a welcome byproduct of this workout.  15 minutes later I dropped the Ghia off to get new tires and put on my shoes for the 2.5 mile run home.  I guess that’s my first ‘brick’. 

This is so much fun.  Thanks everyone.

Back in the pool again this morning.  I did four sets of 75 yard segments.  I followed with a full 100 yard segment and finished with two 50s.  500 yards total.  I concentrated on form.  When my concentration broke, I struggled. 

I think I'm starting to get it.  Slowly but surely. 

I went through the same problems when I started swim training for my first triathlon.  It was amazing that I could run or bike for miles, but 50 yards of swimming left me gasping for breath!  I got some advice here that helped me a ton:

1. Balance yourself flat in the water by looking down.  This will help keep your legs from sinking.
2. Exhale when your face is under water
3. Kick just enough to maintain your balance.  A strong kick will suck oxygen like crazy.
4. Swim really slow.  Think about swimming as slow as you can.

After 30 minutes working on these things I went from 50 yards gasping for breath to 400 yds without getting tired.  It was that simple.  I think I swam 2:30 per 100 yards.   I'm still a crappy swimmer compared to mthe fishies, but I can swim for a long time with out problems.

Thanks Doug.  Really helpful advice.  When you are able to slow yourself down and pay attention to your body, it's amazing the things you learn.  For example, when I put my head down, I can feel my hips rise.  Who knew?

After a couple more sessions concentrating on breathing, there's a pull buoy in my future to get my kick under control.  Every now and then I can feel myself wanting to frog kick.  No fooling, I have terrible form.

I will throw in one word of advice....RELAX.  New swimmers tighten up and mentally worry about everything.  Like a golf swing, swimming is a fairly complex motion.  Reach, catch, push, roatate hips, etc. Lots to think about, oh yah, breath!  The only way to get it all down is to relax in the water.  Once you relax and let it flow, things will start to fall in place.

Good luck. 

Let's not talk about my golf swing.  Ugh!

That you raise the word 'relax' is appropriate for me.  When I am running pretty close to full tilt (for me), I have to remind myself to relax.  My best 5K of the year, the last mile, I was literally barking out the word to myself.  I know there are people I was passing saying to themselves, "who is that fool and why does he keep shouting 'relax!'?"