Swimming and Ect...

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There are tons of YouTube videos out there (one by a guy named Jimmy something is good)

also GoSwim.tv

http://ruthkazez.com/SwimWorkouts/ZeroTo1mile.html
When I started swimming the lifeguard thought I was drowning. Seriously, I was just awful. I would purposely swim in the leisure pool so that I could put my feet down and walk if I needed to. I found a link to the above program, and within six weeks I could swim a straight mile. I'm slow, and I'm sure I have bad form, but I survived the swim at both of my races. This spring I'll get in the pool again and try to get better. Good luck.

You'll get much better if you work at it.  I don't know where you can find free lessons.  I got pretty inexpensive coaching, and it has been well worth it.

My story:  First time in the pool I was gasping after 25m.  Often I had to switch to some contorted version of breast stroke just to get to the end of the lane.

Fast forward 18 months:  I'm no great shakes, but I can do sets of 100 meters (like 10x100m) coming in at 1:40 (=1:32/100yards), resting 15s.  I can swim 3 miles straight at a decent pace.  I LIKE swimming!

I was there too about a year and a half ago.  I made up my mind that I would swim until I liked it, well I'm yet to like it!  It has gotten a lot better.  Over that time part of the time I have just swam on my own and part of the time in a Master's swim program.  Probably the best bang for the buck (time and money) is join a Master's program that has a coach on deck.  Stick with it, you will without a doubt improve.  Alternatively be resourceful; read, get the Total immersion video, watch you tube video and swim frequently and build your volume.  If not Masters, get a coach to advise you periodically during your practices.  There are no shortcuts.  It is a tough sport, but it does get easier.

I got the brilliant idea to sign up for my first (and only so far) sprint triathlon before I even tried getting in a pool.  Remember doing some version of swimming as a kid, and the occasional leisurly float as an adult, but that's about it.  My first time in the pool (about July of this year), I was convinced I'd never be able to put my face in the water, and decided I needed a nose plug just to do that.  Never used it, and gradually learned to relax and breathe.  I was still struggling big time, and then watched a video on Total Immersion swimming (free one online).  Can't say I "get it" all, but it helped me start to think about balancing in the water, and I realized that faster/harder is not what swimming is about.  Anyway, still no lessons, but worked my way up to swimming 1K meters....usually in 300-400 meter sets.  My race in late Oct. was only 300 meters, and I felt relaxed and good in the water.  Today, someone even complimented my smooth stroke at the pool, a total stranger.  Keep going back, learn however you can / can afford, and relax!   

Great plan, worked for me.

I'm also doing this plan and I'm on week 5.

3 months ago I was the same as you, 25 metres then rest for at least 30 sec.

However before starting the plan I would swim 3 time a week for at least a month though just to get the technique down. I purchased the TI book and I liked some of the concepts but I prefer "Mr Smooth" at this point.

http://www.swimsmooth.com/

This site has it all in my "newbie" opinion. I downlaoded the app and watch the swimmer at least every week.

Three tips that helped me and I would suggest to start out with;

1. breath every third stroke (bilateral) as your standard
2. don't blow your air out underwater gradually, hold your breath and then blow some out just before you rotate to breath
3. when your getting tired breath every second stroke (same side), because bilateral is your standard you can do this just as esily on either side.

Those things helped me a lot, I'm very glad a started out breathing every third stroke as it's a great base and helps my balance and rythm a lot.







Edited by raveon 2009-12-02 7:04 PM

There is a recent seminar on youtube that will give you a good intro to TI if you want to know more:

http://www.totalimmersion.net/blog/Perpetual-Motion-Freestyle---MIT...

Really you just have to keep at it! swimming takes time and effort. So dont give up! I've been swimming competitively for 16 years and trust me I still find little things I can do to improve my strokes every now and then.

If you can find anyone where you swim who is a decent swimmer to look at your stroke and maybe critique it, that is probably the best advice you get. You can read and watch all the videos you want and you may think you are doing it right, but you really dont know for sure.

Stick with it and in time it will come

I got a swim coach that was teaching triathletes.  He gave me several weeks of 1-on-1 instruction.  All he allowed me to do was drill work.  Then when he thought I had it down, he let me start working out with the rest of the triathletes.   I was amazed at how good of shape I was in from just doing hours of drill work.



Edited by ray6foot7 2009-12-03 11:28 AM

I went from no freestyle skills at all (drowning for 25 yards) to IM swim in just over 1 year with minimal pool availability.  Lessons will be good and you have to just keep at it.  The first 3 weeks will be the worst, after that you should be able to get less water, more air when you breath 8).   

I find I have an extremely difficult time breathing out under water.  It feels like I have to tighten my entire core and FORCE the air out.  Problem is, I can't do that AND swim so I'm stuck exhaling and inhaling when I come up for air (and that isn't working).  Anyone have any good ideas on how to remedy this? 

BTW - I've just started lessons last week.  I have a running and weight lifting background so I'm in decent shape, but I just can't concur the breathing.

You can practice just the breathing: inhale, put your face in the water, exhale, come up for a breathe, repeat.

x2 on the breathing out in the water and lifting your head and breathing in.  Just get used to the breathing pattern.  Seems easy but I couldn't do it at all.

Get a coach or someone who understands the swim stroke to watch you and help you get it right.  It's very hard to self-analyze your swim stroke.

As far as progress - in August of this year, I couldn't swim with my face in the water, nor could I swim more than 50 yards without stopping to float, rest, and get my breath back.  Practice balance and breathing and it's amazing how fast you progress.  I can comfortably swim sets of 500 yds with 1:45 100s and I stop because the program calls for it, not because I have to.  And I don't say that to say I'm a good swimmer - I'm obviously still not.  But the improvements come fast if you stay balanced in the water and breath correctly.