Calling all swimmers! HELP!!!!

[Gayle]

I just started a fitness swimming class and it's truly kicking my a$$...totally humbled.

My major problem is this overwhelming feeling that I can't breath when I'm doing the front crawl (freestyle stroke). I'm trying to do the side breathing, but I keep feeling like I just can't get enough air in.

Other strokes, like the back crawl/backstroke are fine. I'm actually getting relaxed.

Any hints??

I'm off to the bookstore tonight to find a copy of "Total Immersion Swimming" as it was recommended by some others. FYI, Beavs (if you read this) I checked my library at work for it, really I did, but I can only get it through ILA and I want it NOOOOOOOOW!

 

[lala1]

When your head is IN the water, breathe out of your mouth.(and your nose, it'll keep water from going up it!) That way, when you turn your head to the side all you have to do is inhale. If you are trying to exhale and inhale after turning your head, you probably don't have enough time.

Also turn your head far enough to the side.Your ear in the water (R ear if you are breathing on the left), should be laying right on top of the water. Hope this makes sense. Keep it up. Swimming is my preferred sport, I LOVE it, hope you will too!

 

[tneah]

You already got terrific advice but I do hope Aqua-Jock sees this post, she is another one of the aqua babes around here! Personally I find splashing about in a pool all the "swimming" I want to do! So kudos to you, I know how hard that is.

 

[Aquajock]

What Lala1 said. I'm more of an aqua-aerobicizer than a swimmer, but when I lap-swam with front crawl Lala's method was how I breathed.

A-Jock

 

[Jess_jugs]

Hey Gayle! I remember that you're training for a tri, when is it? I'm doing a sprint tri in June & possibly an Olympic in July. I'm really enjoying the swimming! It looks like you've gotten good advice, I try to breathe out while in the water & then get a good side breath also. I'm still working on it but getting better! ;-) Good luck!

 

[Gayle]

Thanks for the advice! I'll make sure I'm trying to exhale all the way in the water. I have a feeling that I may subconsciously be trying to do both when I bring my head up.

Jess - My tri is at the end of June. It's a sprint distance, so the swim is only 600 yds, but that seems like a loooooong distance right now. I've only had two swim classes so far, so I'm sure it'll get better. I'd really like to do more swimming overall. Kudos to you for going for an Olympic distance! Have you done one before?

 

[Jess_jugs]

Hey Gayle! My sprint is June 7th and the Oly I'm thinking of is later in July. I will see how it goes with the sprint (mine is 800 yds). Nope, I've never done a tri before, unless you count the *homemade* one that my buddies & I did last summer! (we swam 400yds in her backyard pool, then biked 15 and ran a 5K! LOL).

I really wanted to change things up from just running after having some injuries and training for a tri is great cross training! I like having a goal to work for. Keep me posted on your training!