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2008-06-05 7:51 AM


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Subject: Beginner swimmer needs help

I am entering my first sprint tri in mid-July.  I am not a swimmer and I started training about 2 months ago.  While I can swim an overall distance of 1000-1200 meters and than get out of the pool and ride or run without too much of a problem, I can't swim more than 2 laps in a 25m pool without stopping for a break.  I am still working on my breathing as well as my pace but how long should I be able to swim without stopping to be comfortable covering the 1/2 mile.

At this point, I am assuming I will have to mix in some breaststroke or side stroke too help me finish.  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks 



2008-06-05 8:24 AM
in reply to: #1446629

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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

I don't mean to be glib, but don't worry about it.  The fact that are already comfortable with swimming the distance (and more) on race day you will be fine.

I was in the same position as your self about 3 weeks ago when I did my first sprint tri and although I did breaststroke most of the way I still managed to do 19:59min for 750m (20min was my target).  Yes that's slow, but at no point (after actually starting the race) did I think I couldn't finish.

I have my second sprint tri the weekend after next and have set myself a target of 19min for 750m.

Just relax, enjoy your first race and above all have fun and learn in the process...

2008-06-05 8:30 AM
in reply to: #1446629

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Master
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

Agree with skcycle.  What I did was position myself toward the back of my wave (which given my AG was one of the last and not worry about how fast I was going but concentrated on even breathing and just finishing without being shattered.

I found the biggest thing for me was getting into a nice piece of open water to practice.  Last year I did my 2nd ever triathlon and hadn't been in open water yet that season.  When I got to the first buoy I kept thinking, hmm, where's the wall   It was just a mental thing as I'd swam loads of yards, but not having a wall to touch up on is a different sensation altogether.

2008-06-05 8:36 AM
in reply to: #1446629

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
Be patient, relax, and do YOUR race.  Stay relaxed and you'll be fine.
2008-06-05 8:37 AM
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2008-06-05 1:20 PM
in reply to: #1446629

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

You WILL be just FINE!!!  Mid - July is still a ways away and you have lots of time for improvement - and improvement with swimming endurance comes FAST!  Look at my goals on my log page - I went from the swimming 100m non-stop for the first time on Apr. 14 of this year to swimming 2000m non-stop for the first time on May 27 - only 6 weeks later!

Just keep going to the pool and the endurance will come!  Good luck!



2008-06-05 1:53 PM
in reply to: #1446629

Elite Veteran
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
I agree with everyone else. Don't place too much emphasis and stress in your swimming. You'll be just fine! You might have an initial tendency to "freak out" when you start with your wave, relax, focus on your technique and breathing and all will fall into place. Good luck!
2008-06-05 2:00 PM
in reply to: #1446629

Master
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
MH1962 - 2008-06-05 8:51 AM

I am entering my first sprint tri in mid-July.  I am not a swimmer and I started training about 2 months ago.  While I can swim an overall distance of 1000-1200 meters and than get out of the pool and ride or run without too much of a problem, I can't swim more than 2 laps in a 25m pool without stopping for a break.  I am still working on my breathing as well as my pace but how long should I be able to swim without stopping to be comfortable covering the 1/2 mile.

At this point, I am assuming I will have to mix in some breaststroke or side stroke too help me finish.  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks 



I am confused. You can swim 1000-1200 but cannot swim more than a 50 straight without stopping?

If you cannot swim more than a 50 without needing to touch the bottom or grab the lane line then I would be concerned about attempting a 1/2 mile straight swim.

You still have lots of time to work on the swim but I would work it on asap.

Edited by docswim24 2008-06-05 2:03 PM
2008-06-05 2:02 PM
in reply to: #1447799

Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
docswim24 - 2008-06-05 3:00 PM
MH1962 - 2008-06-05 8:51 AM

I am entering my first sprint tri in mid-July.  I am not a swimmer and I started training about 2 months ago.  While I can swim an overall distance of 1000-1200 meters and than get out of the pool and ride or run without too much of a problem, I can't swim more than 2 laps in a 25m pool without stopping for a break.  I am still working on my breathing as well as my pace but how long should I be able to swim without stopping to be comfortable covering the 1/2 mile.

At this point, I am assuming I will have to mix in some breaststroke or side stroke too help me finish.  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks 

I am confused. You can swim 1000-1200 but cannot swim more than a 50 straight without stopping? If you cannot swim more than a 50 without needing to touch the bottom or grab the lane line then I would be concerned about attempting a 1/2 mile straight swim.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with Dan here. Get some lessons, if you can, and in the meantime practice some other strokes (breaststroke) to make SURE that you can swim the distance without stopping. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I personally would not try an open water swim if I couldn't swim more than 50 meters/yards without stopping. That could be dangerous.

2008-06-05 2:49 PM
in reply to: #1446629

Regular
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

I have first hand experience with this.  Before my first tri I was practicing swimming laps, 50m.  I would do one, wait 10-15 secs (enough time to adjust goggles), then do another.

 

Long story short, I found it much more difficult to to swim 1000m ows, than the pool laps.

My advice would be find someone to swim with and swim.  Try to swim in the same location as the race to get a feel for what to expect.  Plus this eases nervousness. 

2008-06-05 3:04 PM
in reply to: #1446629

Expert
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
Have you tried forcing yourself to swim longer distances?  I.e. go to the pool and say 'today I will swim 100 m without stopping' and then do it with whatever combination of strokes you need - freestyle, breaststroke, etc. but just don't stop.  I know people who've had this method work for them - they force themselves to do it, take a break then do it a couple more times, after a few practices increasing the distance.  Come race day you can use whatever combination of strokes you need to finish and many people will.


2008-06-05 3:26 PM
in reply to: #1447799

Coach
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
docswim24 - 2008-06-05 2:00 PM
MH1962 - 2008-06-05 8:51 AM

I am entering my first sprint tri in mid-July.  I am not a swimmer and I started training about 2 months ago.  While I can swim an overall distance of 1000-1200 meters and than get out of the pool and ride or run without too much of a problem, I can't swim more than 2 laps in a 25m pool without stopping for a break.  I am still working on my breathing as well as my pace but how long should I be able to swim without stopping to be comfortable covering the 1/2 mile.

At this point, I am assuming I will have to mix in some breaststroke or side stroke too help me finish.  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks 

I am confused. You can swim 1000-1200 but cannot swim more than a 50 straight without stopping? If you cannot swim more than a 50 without needing to touch the bottom or grab the lane line then I would be concerned about attempting a 1/2 mile straight swim. You still have lots of time to work on the swim but I would work it on asap.
x 3. If you are doing a race with OWS it would be silly to come out and say that you will be fine if you can't go more than 50 mts without stopping to catch a break. For half a mile you will need to swim 50 mts sixteen times without stopping...  You need to spend 3-4x a week in the pool for the next month to hopefully become confortable to go the distance. It would be better to have an experienced coach/swimmer help you improve your stroke. Good luck
2008-06-05 3:31 PM
in reply to: #1446629

Champion
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

Welcome to BT. 

You didn't provide a lot of information to go on, but here are the things new swimmers struggle with:

Trying to go too fast
Poor form
Holding their breath

Then moving from pool to open water, they (usually) lose visibility, there is no black line or lane markers, no wall every 25-50 yards/meters, other swimmers very close to you. 

When you swim 50 meters, how long does it take? 
How long do you rest?
How many strokes does it take you to swim 50 meters?   (Each arm-pull is one stroke, so Left-Right-Left-Right = 4 strokes)

I'll put pace in the context of running and walking.  For how long can you sprint at maximum speed?  (20 seconds?)  For how long can you walk?  (You could spend hours walking through a park.)  Distance swimming is more like a walk in the park than a sprint.   For me, I can (when I'm swimming consistently) swim 100 yards in 1:35 (I was never a competitive swimmer), but this is full-speed, gasping at the end and I'm only good for one attempt.  If I slow down to a 1:48-1:50 pace, I can swim 1500 yards in 27-28 minutes without stopping (I could swim farther too). 

If you have access to a swim instructor, either individually or in a group lesson, it's better to learn good technique up front than to change bad technique. 

2008-06-06 7:42 AM
in reply to: #1446629

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2008-06-06 12:18 PM
in reply to: #1446629


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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

Thanks for all of the advice - i should probably clarfiy my comments.  I am a non-swimmer in mid 40's so the years of neglect are taking their toll.  I can swim about 2 laps - so I am counting that as 100 m before I stop.   My biggest problem is that I run out of breath after the 2 laps so I think it is all about the breathing and trying to swim too fast.

I am mixing in some drills I read about on these threads - laddering, repeats and I am using a swim buoy - so my total end up at 1000+. 

I can do 50 meters in about 50 seconds with 19 - 20 strokes.  I have been reading the TI book which has helped but it doesn't address my problem of being winded.

 I will hit the pool as oftern as I can and keep practicing.

2008-06-06 12:39 PM
in reply to: #1450062

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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
MH1962 - 2008-06-06 10:18 AM

Thanks for all of the advice - i should probably clarfiy my comments.  I am a non-swimmer in mid 40's so the years of neglect are taking their toll.  I can swim about 2 laps - so I am counting that as 100 m before I stop.   My biggest problem is that I run out of breath after the 2 laps so I think it is all about the breathing and trying to swim too fast.

I am mixing in some drills I read about on these threads - laddering, repeats and I am using a swim buoy - so my total end up at 1000+. 

I can do 50 meters in about 50 seconds with 19 - 20 strokes.  I have been reading the TI book which has helped but it doesn't address my problem of being winded.

 I will hit the pool as oftern as I can and keep practicing.

How often do you inhale?

I was in the same boat last month when I started swim training in earnest. I was stuck at the 50m continuous swim-block. I can now go 600m continuously (probably farther, but I swim on my lunch breaks, so I'm usually time-limited). One of the major breakthroughs was becoming comfortable breathing every other stroke (i.e. left-right-breathe-left-right-breathe). It may not be the fastest method, but it keeps me from getting winded. I alternate breathing on the left and right side every 100m.

I also found TI to be tremendously helpful in terms of technique. You may not think it impacts your breathing, but everything is connected- proper balance = less drag = less effort required = less oxygen required. Press your buoy, look straight down, lengthen your vessel... you know the story.



2008-06-06 12:57 PM
in reply to: #1450062

Master
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Reston, VA
Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
MH1962 - 2008-06-06 1:18 PM

Thanks for all of the advice - i should probably clarfiy my comments.  I am a non-swimmer in mid 40's so the years of neglect are taking their toll.  I can swim about 2 laps - so I am counting that as 100 m before I stop.   My biggest problem is that I run out of breath after the 2 laps so I think it is all about the breathing and trying to swim too fast.

I am mixing in some drills I read about on these threads - laddering, repeats and I am using a swim buoy - so my total end up at 1000+. 

I can do 50 meters in about 50 seconds with 19 - 20 strokes.  I have been reading the TI book which has helped but it doesn't address my problem of being winded.

 I will hit the pool as oftern as I can and keep practicing.



Congratulations on the progress you have made and good job hitting the pool as often as you can.

If you can, I would try to get a good swimmer or coach to look at your stroke and suggest some drills. It is hard to know what drills you should be working on without first having someone look at your stroke or video tape you.

Above you mention that you do 19-20 strokes per 50. Are you sure that you are not doing 19-20 per 25? 19-20 per 25 is a pretty good stroke count for a new swimmer. 19-20 per 50 is what an Olympic swimmer might do in a 50 free.
2008-06-06 12:57 PM
in reply to: #1446629


6

Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

Lonshot - thanks for the encouragement - I have been trying bilateral breathing every third stroke but with all of the thoughts in my head - lengthen vessel, turn hips, be a front quadrant swimmer - my breathing patterns get all messed up.  That could be the source of my problem. 

 I will try some laps breathing every 2 strokes and alternate sides. I am headed to the pool right after work today so I will see how it goes. 

2008-06-06 2:36 PM
in reply to: #1446629

Expert
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Orange County, California
Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
Try doing as others have suggested. Do 800 meters in the pool continous. Do freestyle as long as you can, then switch to breast stroke or side stroke to get your breath, then go back to freestyle.

And continue to do as you are doing, practicing your technique.
2008-06-09 4:22 AM
in reply to: #1446629

Master
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The Whites, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
Rather than focusing on the inhale, focus on the exhale. I was very lucky to score a session with a Div I coach, and one of the excellent tips he gave me was to breath all the way out. You cannot breathe in enough oxygen to keep you going if you still have old air in there. So make sure, whatever breathing pattern you use (I mix mine up), to exhale steadily and completely every time. It doubled my I-can't-make-it-any-farther time almost instantly.
2008-06-09 8:36 AM
in reply to: #1453224

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

Slugger - 2008-06-09 2:22 AM Rather than focusing on the inhale, focus on the exhale. I was very lucky to score a session with a Div I coach, and one of the excellent tips he gave me was to breath all the way out. You cannot breathe in enough oxygen to keep you going if you still have old air in there. So make sure, whatever breathing pattern you use (I mix mine up), to exhale steadily and completely every time. It doubled my I-can't-make-it-any-farther time almost instantly.

ABSOLUTELY!!!  Part (a huge part) of my problem when I first started swimming in Feb was that I had never attempted to actually SWIM in my life and I had no idea how to 'breathe' when covering any distance....and I was actually HOLDING my breath under water and then trying to do the WHOLE breath exchange while my face was out of water - well needless to say - that didn't work very well - I couldn't get very good breaths....I got lots of water....and very frustrated....no wonder I was bagged after 25 meters....now that I blow bubbles (through my nose not sure if that is how others do it) slowly the whole time my face is submerged then just one forceful exhale to get rid of the remainder right as I am turning my face to breathe - it has made my 'endurance' almost limitless!



2008-06-09 8:42 AM
in reply to: #1453224

Member
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
You will be just fine. I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. I am a former collegiate athlete, who was running and riding alot. When I started to swim I just could not figure out why I could only swim 25-50 meters without feeling like I was going to die. Here is how I went about overcoming my "fear after 50 meters"

1. Get a lesson and have your stroke filmed - I am lucky enough to be friends with a college swim coach who is a former collegiate swimmer, Navy Seal and Ironman Finisher. The film of your strok will allow you to breakdown your total stroke.

2. Relax - My coach told me that, with the exception of a few minor flaws, my stroke looked good. He pointed out that my problem was with my breathing - every breath was like my last breath. Swim as often as you can to become more comfortable in the pool (you may alredy be comfortable with the amout that you swim).

3. Breath throughout your stroke. Do not try to both inhale and exhale when you bring your head out of the water. Doing this will make you feel as if you are hyperventilating.

4. Just Keep Going. My coach told me that at some point in time I just have to keep going. After a week of fine tuning my stroke and breathing pattern, I just pushed my self to keep going. I still have to do this every spring when I return to the pool from my winter layoff. For me, I have to swim 500-600 meters before I feel warm and get into a groove. I feel better in the middle of my workout than I do at the beginning.

5. Do an open swim before you do your first open swim tri. Again, this goes back to being comfortable.

6. Best of luck

Edited by calbbc 2008-06-09 8:56 AM
2008-06-09 8:49 AM
in reply to: #1446629

Member
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Urbana, Maryland
Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

I understand what you're dealing with as I had the same concerns leading up to my first race last year.  Check out my article on my first triathlon swimming experience....hope it helps:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1422

Best of Luck,

Rob

Triathlong Swimming Squidoo

MyTriathlonSite

 

2008-06-09 11:21 AM
in reply to: #1446629

Master
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Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help
I'm a tri newbie, with a swimming background (swam in high school). It certainly sounds to me like the original poster isn't breathing ENOUGH. Sounds like he is going all out, trying to breathe as little as possible before he reaches 50m...much like what a sprint swimmer would do. Not the best technique for longer swim distances, as you'll likely blow yourself out in the first few meters and have nothing left to finish the swim. He says that he "runs out of breath"...I'm no expert on swimming, but to me...that sounds like you're just depriving yourself of much-needed oxygen. Try taking a breath after every 2 strokes. Your body is craving oxygen, so why would you withhold that from it?
2008-06-09 12:44 PM
in reply to: #1446629


6

Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs help

Thanks again for all of the tips and encouragement.  I went to the pool 2x over the weekend to work on the breathing and endurance.

On the first trip, I convinced myself to keep going and was able to do multiple sets of 100 yrds with a small rest in between.  After 25 minutes of drills and sets, I committed to see how far I could swim without stopping (or touching the wall or bottom).  Using multiple strokes I made it 400 yards- halfway home.

On the next session, I worked on the breathing tips.  It was very hard to stay focused on breathing while trying to maintain form.  I swallowed a lot of water as I tied different techniques, but I definetely see the difference and will keep working on it.

5 weeks to go!

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