To all new swimmers having problems

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2009-07-28 9:58 PM

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Subject: To all new swimmers having problems
I thought I would post this just because I am one of you.  I started swimming about a month ago in prep for my first tri on August 9th.  I was just like you, having difficulty swimming more than one lap and felt like I was dying in doing so.  I came here and saw all the advice of swim more and get lessons, but I felt so bad swimming I almost didn't want to go to the pool for practice. 

I checked out Total Immersion swimming, got a few lessons, and kept going back to the pool and tonight, I just did my first open water swim.  I swam 500-600 meters non stop in 20ish minutes, not sure of the exact distance because everyone said the course was between 250 and 300 meters.  Not super speedy but acceptable in my opinion.

My point is, the advice of keep swimming it will get better, is really true.  It will get better the more you are in the water and swimming.  Don't give up.

2009-07-28 10:28 PM
in reply to: #2314186

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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
Great job on your breakthrough.  The fun think about starting out in this kind of endeavor is that breakthroughs happen often.  Keep counting your strokes.  That is what has gotten me the most speed.  Good luck next weekend!
2009-07-29 12:58 AM
in reply to: #2314186

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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
IMHusker - 2009-07-28 9:58 PM I thought I would post this just because I am one of you.  I started swimming about a month ago in prep for my first tri on August 9th.  I was just like you, having difficulty swimming more than one lap and felt like I was dying in doing so.  I came here and saw all the advice of swim more and get lessons, but I felt so bad swimming I almost didn't want to go to the pool for practice. 

I checked out Total Immersion swimming, got a few lessons, and kept going back to the pool and tonight, I just did my first open water swim.  I swam 500-600 meters non stop in 20ish minutes, not sure of the exact distance because everyone said the course was between 250 and 300 meters.  Not super speedy but acceptable in my opinion.

My point is, the advice of keep swimming it will get better, is really true.  It will get better the more you are in the water and swimming.  Don't give up.


Was like you when I started swimming earlier in the year. Couldn't even do 25 meters. Went to the pool right when it opened up so no one would be there. To say i was self concsious is an understatement, and to the point of pure panic. 

 
2009-07-29 2:17 AM
in reply to: #2314186

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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
IMHusker - 2009-07-29 11:58 AM

I thought I would post this just because I am one of you.  I started swimming about a month ago in prep for my first tri on August 9th.  I was just like you, having difficulty swimming more than one lap and felt like I was dying in doing so.  I came here and saw all the advice of swim more and get lessons, but I felt so bad swimming I almost didn't want to go to the pool for practice. 

I checked out Total Immersion swimming, got a few lessons, and kept going back to the pool and tonight, I just did my first open water swim.  I swam 500-600 meters non stop in 20ish minutes, not sure of the exact distance because everyone said the course was between 250 and 300 meters.  Not super speedy but acceptable in my opinion.

My point is, the advice of keep swimming it will get better, is really true.  It will get better the more you are in the water and swimming.  Don't give up.


Total Immersion is AMAZING. I've just been checking that out in the past few weeks and while my speed hasn't necessarily improved much yet (I haven't been working on speed though) my effort going the same speed is significantly reduced - like 20-40bpm. I 100% recommend checking TI out!!
2009-07-29 10:53 AM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
I think newbie"s make more progress with the swim than any other event.  At least for me.  I also cound not swim to save my life. I think 2 laps and I was done.  Enrolled in a masters swim program.  5 lesson later I can now swim non stop 40 min in open water.  First get some time on stroke.  practice some drills.  Then just swim.  Try to push yourself a little further each time.  Dont worry about SPEED, just train relative to time.... 
2009-07-29 11:15 AM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
Yeah, the TI stuff is no joke. I have always been comfortable in the water an knew my last resort was to switch to the combat swim stroke if I got tired. It took only about 2 weeks of having a pool membership and practicing the TI techniques and I have swam 1750 yds without issue. I finished knowing that distance was no issue so now I can focus on trying to get faster.  It's very exciting.

2009-07-29 11:31 AM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
I completed my first sprint triathlon in late June, I am decent at the bike and run but horrible at the swim.  The tri I completed in was a pool swim so it wasn't very difficult, 25 meter pool allowed for quick breaks.  I would like to try some open water triathlons but the swimming would be my down fall....I noticed that several of you have referenced TI?  Can someone give me some details regarding this training, it appears to be working for everyone.  Thanks
2009-07-29 11:40 AM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
2009-07-29 11:48 AM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
Thanks for the link....I ordered the book.
2009-07-29 11:50 AM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
TI is great for beginner / and even intermediate can learn a few tips and tricks.

personally i haven't followed it 100% but i took out what i could and added it to my stroke.  i have improved my time recently, breaking 1:20 for 100 yrds.  its impressive. 
2009-07-29 12:38 PM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
I agree!!!

Actually, I posted an incredibly similar post yesterday (but didn't mention TI, even though I've been doing it) - lol.

2009-07-29 12:44 PM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems
i started swimming in feb and was in the same boat....  i just completed my first 2000m swim yesterday and i'm sure it's because of TI. 
2009-07-29 1:05 PM
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Subject: RE: To all new swimmers having problems

I’ll join in the affirmation with my personal testimony.  A month ago I gasped my way through 400 yards occasionally backstroking with lots of stops.  Now I am comfortably training at 1000 yards and looking to stretch it further.  Slow yourself down.  I can’t tell you how much relaxing and slowing myself down has helped me improve – quickly.  I call it the ‘jog’ swim.  You know the difference between sprinting and jogging when you run?  I can sprint for a couple of hundred yards; I can jog for miles and miles.  Slow yourself down and swim further.

I know I have a long way to go still.  Read the posts around here.  Most importantly, have fun.

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