FATIGUE DURING SWIMMING (Page 2)

Interesting discussion, butr the question has no simple answer. However a few observations.

Fat without a doubt floats better than muscle or bone, but triathletes who struggle with the swim don't do so because they are too lean.

Remember the goal is not to float but to move forward.

Good technique trumps fat every time. Triathletes don't focus on technique enough. That is not just doing drills, it is understanding what the drills are for and how to integrate them into your stroke. Also it's hard to focus on your stroke when you have Led Zeplin blasting in your ears. Black Eyed Peas are no better.

It takes years to learn how to swim well. When did you learn to run? When was the first time you rode a bike?

Good technique and power in the water make fat irrelevant. That's why masters swimmers can get away with more fat that a triathlete.

A wetsuit in a triathlon floats so well it makes fat look like a lead weight in comparison.

If you are short on breath, breathe as much as you can. There is a reason they put air restrictors on Indy cars - to reduce the power they can produce. Use alternating breathing in training only to even out your stroke. Better yet breathe to one side for a length and switch to the other side on the way back. Try to hold your form.

Never swim after your stroke breaks down. It is counter productive and only reenforces bad technique. If you are winded at 500, take a 5 second rest at each hundred. It really makes a difference.

If you don't swim well spend almost all your time in the water working on technique. Develop fitness during you cycle & run training.

Before you take advise from people, ask if they have ever coached, or swam competitively. If not how fast can they swim. If people express opinions you want to know that they either taught people to swim fast, or learned the principles and could apply it to their own swimming.

I could go on but I think what should be said is that with a few exceptions, people on this website are here to learn and help others. However, not everyone knows what they are talking about. You will never hear me give anyone here advise on cycling or running. I'm here to learn about those sports.

• Often complains about being out of breath and can only swim limited distances continuously.

• Lifts their head high to breathe.

• Large cross-overs at the front of the stroke and scissor kicks are common to see.

• Generally quite frustrated that they are not as proficient at swimming as in other sports. Sometime this frustration is very strong and is bubbling just below the surface!

• Finds relaxing in the water quite difficult (although they may be in denial about this!) and can be seen to be holding their breath in the water rather than exhaling.

• Very poor body position due to high head position, lack of exhalation (buoyancy in the lungs), poor leg kick technique and limited core stability.

• Limited swimming experience and low enjoyment of swimming.

• Swimming speed is typically 1:45 to 2:10 per 100m."

http://www.swimtypes.com/arnie.html

There is also bunch of info on the ways to fix the problems common with each swimmer type.

Interesting analysis. Clearly some of the statements are generalizations that do not apply to everyone, but some of it is right on.

As for me I am a Swinger

"Lots of rhythm and timing in the stroke - plenty of oomph. As a result they tend to race very well in open water"enty of oomph. As a result they tend to race very well in open 

Back to the OP's question.

Sounds like you are getting fatiged in the middle of your swim session.

How about going to the pool when you are not doing a plan/swim session with coach and with a day break after the last time in the pool.  Do a 100yrd warm up, take a break for a few min and then try to swim a controlled pace for as far as you can go.  I bet you will be able to go alot more than 500.