breathing 101 - Triathlon Week

plannerman2001 · 06-11-2005, 10:43 PM

I am a hopeful triathlete. However, never learned to swim as a kid. I've been working hard, but am having difficulty (actually, absolute failure) at breathing. I am out of breath by the end of 25 meters. I know it's not due to fatigue, but my breathing. I can't figure out if you take a full breath in (which seems to take forever) and then a full exhale while under, or a half breath in and half out, etc....

None of the swimmers I know can seem to help me, since they really don't know how they do it?????? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

rhino52 · 06-15-2005, 02:29 PM

get lesson help any where possible, colleges local parks or even private instruction and try reading some swimming books at your local library. good luck witrh your efforts rhino

Spike10 · 06-16-2005, 07:58 AM

I have been swimming for years (more than I care to count) and I recently picked up a TI book and it really helped me on my stroke and yes even breathing. When your body is in the right position, breathing will be easy, I can't believe how much easier and more enjoyable swimming is now, but don't get me wrong, it still kicks my butt workout wise however it's still way more fun!
Good luck and keep it up.
Spike.

moabrunner · 03-19-2006, 07:27 PM

I taught myself to swim last year and had the same problem. I couldn't get the breathing down. I couldn't get across the pool and by the end of the "workout" I was so full of gas from swallowing air. Then one day it clicked and I was able to do 500 meters without stopping. What helped me was that I stopped trying to go "fast" and by that I mean moving my arms fast. I went super slow just to get my body used to the idea of the breathing. Then suddenly it clicked and it got easy. It will take time.

adidas82 · 03-20-2006, 08:43 AM

Really the best help you can get is some type of coaching. Sign up for an intermediate or advanced swim class with your local parks and rec dept. But to answer one of your questions, here are some tips:

- ALWAYS breathe to the side. As you get better at it, you may even have water flow into your mouth but you will breathe "over top" of it.
- DO take in a full breath, then as you're swimming time your exhale so that you blow out ALL the CO2 (as bubbles) before you come up again to breathe. Imagine trying to take a deep breathe, hold it, then take another deep breath w/o exhaling. It's impossible. You have to exhale everything before you try to breath again.
- As you breath, you should be gliding (for that one second) with your opposite arm, but at the same time your same side arm should be coming up to enter the water as your head goes under.

This all takes practice. Having someone watch and correct you is the easiest way to get better.

CarolRawinia · 03-20-2006, 04:55 PM

I would add that in order to swim well in open water (i.e. swim in a relatively straight line) you have to breathe on both sides and that this is managed if you roll your body properly in line with your stroke. Additionally you need to ensure that you are in the right position in the water, if your head is in the water not just on the surface your legs will be in the right position (because if your head is too high your legs will drop) and then as you stroke you can roll from side to side. If you don't understand how this feels buy some paddles and a pull; and try to swim with them. The pull will keep your leg stable and the paddles will force you to angle your hands into the water in the correct position, pull your hands through the water by scribing a backwards 's' under your body while ensuring that you brush your hand past your hip, this action will mean that you scull the water and results in a roll. Go as slowly as you can, when learning to swim going slowly works better. Good luck.