General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs Rss Feed  
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2010-08-03 9:20 AM

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
I notice on my runs, that my HR will spike really early in my run (either way I leave from my driveway, I encounter a hill).  I've also noticed that this goes away pretty quickly (the discomfort associated with the spike), once I settle into a sustainable pace OR when I crest the hill.

Got me thinking about my swimming.  I still get "winded" really early in my swims.  Is this similar to what I'm experiencing on my runs?  If you've noticed this, was this just something you've had to...and have learned to "fight through"?  I'm assuming it can be controllled to some extent, by going as slow as possible (or, as slow as your swimming fitness level will permit)?  But, I don't know.  It's still really un-nerving for me.  On my runs, getting o2 isn't nearly the issue it is in the water.  How long (if you experience this) did it take you to get more comfortable with the sensation?

Thanks.


2010-08-03 9:49 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
Being winded and swimming is something I've gotten used to.  Over time I've acquired a comfort in the water.  Being in the water makes it different, but I'm to the point where it isn't that unnerving.    
2010-08-03 10:00 AM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
Are you warming up at all or just jumping right into the workout? I think if you warm up well (500ish m or more of mixed drills, kicking and possibly short moderate efforts towards then end), you won't have an issue during the main sets.
2010-08-03 10:01 AM
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
I think you have the right idea of fighting through it.  I typically feel out of breath/rhythm for the first 100-200 yards of every swim but then I am able to settle in and feel better.  I think it just takes time for my body to figure out, "ok we're swimming" and make whatever adjustments it needs to make.  I always feel like I "need" to stop for those first few laps but if I keep going and push through I tend to find a comfort zone.

I guess it's just like warming up when you run or ride where those first few minutes feel horrible but then your body switches into workout mode.
2010-08-03 10:05 AM
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
In March I couldn't even make it across our 25 yr pool with out stopping. Now I can do a mile. For me it was all about relaxing and going very slow without much of a kick. When it clicked it was almost like surrender, I stopped fighting the water and started moving through the water in a calm and smooth manner. That being said it was a good 4 months of about 3 times a week swimming before it clicked as I just learned to swim as an adult. I'm not sure what would make that faster. I read all I could and watched videos. Now I'm working on building up a bit more speed. Still not really a swimming, but getting closer!

-k
2010-08-03 10:10 AM
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2010-08-03 10:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
Like others have said, after a few hundred meters I seem to get more settled and relaxed.  I mainly focus on getting a good rotation for my breathing and blowing the air out in the water.  I've also found that having a set workout has helped me.  Before that I would just try to swim whatever felt comfortable at the time.
2010-08-03 10:20 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs

I think, just like the bike and run, I tend to go out a bit fast because I feel good at the beginning.  I have to force myself to slow down and build up speed in my warm up.   I find it takes me about 800 yds to warm up and get into a good breathing rhythm.  Once I get there, I find that I can swim for a while.  

 Here is a post by Gary Hall Sr about breathing and how even taking a breath every other stroke still doesn't give you the same oxygen as just biking and running.  

2010-08-03 11:32 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
I can start out and not be winded at my relaxed pace.  Of course at my hard pace I'll be winded but really its time in the pool and getting a perfectly synced breathing pattern;  now I just need to worry about form!

What helped me was to focus on the exhale and not the inhale.
2010-08-03 11:47 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
Ditto to what most everyone said.  When we pool swim there are at least 4 people in the lane, maybe 5 so i can't to go too slow.  I just fight through it.  Just like running.  i hate the first mile.  In swimming it is the first 400m or so where I wonder if I am going to make it through the entire practice.  I also do not warm up ahead of time, that's what the first 400m are for.

Well, an hour later and either I have gotten faster or everyone else has slowed

Open water swim is different as I can start out slower and I usually have time for a warm up swim if it is a race. 

enjoy,
Duane 
2010-08-03 12:26 PM
in reply to: #3020553

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
I had the same issue.   I overcame this by doing a 500 yard warmup.  I get my "out of breath" problem out of the way in this 500 yards.   After this, I can swim forever.  I think you are going to fast in the beginning and then can't get into a comfortable rhythm.


2010-08-03 12:37 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
YES.

It takes me about 300 - 400m to transition.  I believe it has to do with transitioning your body from anerobic oxygen use to aerobic oxygen use.  As you said, on the run (or bike), you just pant a little harder until you get past it...on the swim, it's not quite that simple.

But yes, push past it and it gets a whole lot easier!
2010-08-03 2:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs

How often are you taking a breath?  As a recovering TI swimmer, I used to breathe every 3 strokes.  An excellent swimmer told me this spring to stop breathing every 3 strokes and breath every 2 (e.g., each time on your right side, or each time on your left side).  You can search for some posts by Gary Hall where you can get a breath on consecutive strokes, so you can get some practice with bilateral breathing as well.

So, don't slow down, breathe more.  As others have said, it will get easier as you warm up after a few 100 meters.

Also, if your logs are accurate, you need to swim more: join a Masters program. I joined one in June, going 2-3x a week (90 min., around 2500 to 3000 meters), and I was able to shave off almost 5 MINUTES from my 750m swim time this past weekend.

Keep at it, there's a method to the madness :-

2010-08-03 2:57 PM
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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
Most people do not use the muscles associated with swimming in their day-to-day life.  So when you jump into the pool, your heart must start pumping blood to muscles that are not warmed-up.  That is the reason for the temporary spike in heart rate and breathing.

Warm-up, especially prior to a triathlon.  It will make your swim go much better.
2010-08-03 4:34 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
TIP

Time in Pool

I started swimming thinking that 200 meters was a long way, and it would take me about 6 minutes.

Now I can swim 400 in just over 7:00.

For two weeks, swim 5x week.  Focus on nothing but technique.  Take a lesson.

I guarantee that you will improve.
2010-08-03 5:01 PM
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Member
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Upon the Rock
Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
2 things brought me to a breakthrough that took me from struggling to go 250 yards to swimming a mile and beyond.

1.  After reading the Gary Hall post about breathing more I went back to the pool and took a breath every other stroke.  Instant gratification.

2.  The concept of a warm up.  I read somewhere on this site how a warm up pace is supposed to be 60-75% of workout pace.  I realized that I was starting out too fast and getting out of breath.  Now I swim a couple hundred yards as slow as possible then start my workout.



2010-08-03 5:37 PM
in reply to: #3020553


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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
Oh yeah. The first 50-100 is always a struggle. The best thing for me is counting strokes, at 100 or so everything clams down and I get in a groove.
2010-08-03 9:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim question for "beginners" who've made recent breakthroughs
My problem in the pool is my competitive streak.  Ok, that is just one problem...  Anyway, if I hop in the pool and someone is in the lane or joins the lane, or even the next lane I instinctively try to keep up.  I AM SLOW!  When I actually managed 400m straight the first time it was because I hopped in a near empty pool, relaxed, forgot drills, forgot breathing, forgot form, and just swam.  It appears my problem was a dual attack of being overly competitive and thinking too much.

Just relax and swim.  All the drills and training you have done will get you through the water when you stop thinking about it and use muscle memory instead.

Edit:  Think about it this way; do you really think about how you put one foot in front of the other while considering how your arms are moving while you run?  Probably not, so why do it when you swim?

Edited by jonathan.evitts 2010-08-03 9:12 PM
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