i am a casual swimmer at the local Y. I see people swimming back and forth doing front crawls like it is nothing. But for me I can only swim one lap in the 25 yard pool before im standing and gasping for breath. I am not completely out of shape as I run a few miles every day, and have generally considered myself somewhat fit.
what is my limiting factor that is causing this? is it lack of muscles, cardiovascular conditioning, or technique? im sure its many things combined but I'd like to know what the big ones are probably, since it is quite a big difference between me and the serious swimmers.
Essentially, you need to learn how to swim crawl. The principle is that you don't use any energy to keep your body afloat. This is where you are probably wasting most of your energy. Your strength needs to go into propelling your body forward and the intensity can be regulated from downright exhausting to "not even breathing hard". You need to start to do some basic drills to teach to keep your body on the surface of the water, and then begin to add the stroke into it. I suggest that you find a book called total imersion by Terry Laughin.
Good luck,
Andres
Quoted message said:
i am a casual swimmer at the local Y. I see people swimming back and forth doing front crawls like it is nothing. But for me I can only swim one lap in the 25 yard pool before im standing and gasping for breath. I am not completely out of shape as I run a few miles every day, and have generally considered myself somewhat fit.
what is my limiting factor that is causing this? is it lack of muscles, cardiovascular conditioning, or technique? im sure its many things combined but I'd like to know what the big ones are probably, since it is quite a big difference between me and the serious swimmers.
I used to have the same problem only 6 months ago. I too am a runner and a cyclist. At first I could hardly swim 25 yards without gasping for air. It just takes time, but now I can swim 1500 meters. I find that hardly moving my legs really helps in reserving energy. But the biggest saver of energy is to keep your head and chest down in the water so that your legs aren't sunken. Once you do that, you'll spend less time moving your legs to keep from sinking and using them to propel you forward. Are you breathing on both sides? I found that breathing on one side every second stroke helped me at first to get enough air. After a while, you'll learn to be more efficient and should start breathing on both sides. That's the way I learned. It may not be for everyone, but if it worked for me, I think it'll work for anyone. Also, the book "Total Immersion" by Terry Laughlin is definitely worth it. I wish I had known about it before I started learning to swim.
"Kalendae" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
i am a casual swimmer at the local Y. I see people swimming back and forth doing front crawls like it is nothing. But for me I can only swim one lap in the 25 yard pool before im standing and gasping for breath. I am not completely out of shape as I run a few miles every day, and have generally considered myself somewhat fit.
what is my limiting factor that is causing this? is it lack of muscles, cardiovascular conditioning, or technique? im sure its many things combined but I'd like to know what the big ones are probably, since it is quite a big difference between me and the serious swimmers.
I agree with Cipher's breathing bit. I was facing similar difficulties with crawl despite being easily able to do 100 or so lengths breaststroke. I could do two lengths max and then be struggling. I think it has to do with getting a good oxygenated blood supply to your muscles, as well as finding a breathing rythm that suits you. The professionals all seem to take a breath every other length or so (only joking). I breath with every right arm stroke. Don't try to take huge gulps - concentrate deliberately on small snatches of air and maintaining the rythm. I have progressed from - all in after 4 lengths - to 100 lengths in an hour, not rocket speed but reasonable amateur progress (judging by other keep fit pool users). It still isn't really easy and does take effort, but I believe my body is now getting pushed harder than when I was on the breast so to speak. This as far as I am concerned is the object of the exercise.
Running, as you've found, will do very little for you. The muscles are so different. It should improve with time, however, as you build up.
People referred to the breathing and this is important to consider. You should be exhaling throughout your time underwater, not waiting until you lift your head out. Otherwise you don't have enough time to inhale, and your CO2 levels will be higher, which leads to a downward spiral of short breathedness. -- Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com
I think that Terry Laughlin (Total Immersion) could get you swimming front crawl effortlessly if you're willing to work on drills and treat swimming as technique before fitness.
Alan.
"Kalendae" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
i am a casual swimmer at the local Y. I see people swimming back and forth doing front crawls like it is nothing. But for me I can only swim one lap in the 25 yard pool before im standing and gasping for breath. I am not completely out of shape as I run a few miles every day, and have generally considered myself somewhat fit.
what is my limiting factor that is causing this? is it lack of muscles, cardiovascular conditioning, or technique? im sure its many things combined but I'd like to know what the big ones are probably, since it is quite a big difference between me and the serious swimmers.
This sounds interesting. What do you do, breathe every third stroke?
In article said:
Are you breathing on both sides? I found that breathing on one side every second stroke helped me at first to get enough air. After a while, you'll learn to be more efficient and should start breathing on both sides.
The reason whats causing you to get out of breath is you are kicking your legs too hard and you are not sticking your head far enough underwater. Don't kick your legs at all until you are strong enough and keep your head down. Relax.
Thats right. Relax and don be afrad of the water. Also, work on technique. Thats what a lot of swimming is about.
Rob "Dory" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
The reason whats causing you to get out of breath is you are kicking your legs too hard and you are not sticking your head far enough underwater. Don't kick your legs at all until you are strong enough and keep your head down. Relax.
