Really Suck at Swimming - Triathlon Week

high_tower · 09-14-2005, 06:38 AM

Hey all,

well i'm new to the whole triathlon scene and training for one. i've only just really started to swim with a purpose for once, always been able to swim but never to do distance or race for that matter.

i've done 3 sessions now and only managed 10 sets of 2x33metres in each session. i get out of the pool knowing i stunk! however, i also know i worked my hardest doing it and to me thats all that matters.

dont get me wrong i'm hugely competitive in all the sports i do but swimming is just something i guess i'll really have to work out before i can get on that start line and know i'm going to make the distance and be competitive at it. until that day comes i guess i'm just going to enjoy sucking big time at swimming but not for a lack of effort!

thought that might make someone a little happier about slow progress or disappointments or maybe two of my favourite sayings;
-"good things come to those who wait!" -Guiness beer slogan
-"nothing in life worth anything ever comes easy" -Acklington Prison Gym wall haha ;)

enjoy yourselves knowing you've put in the best you can on the day

Spike10 · 09-14-2005, 09:16 AM

High Tower, I have already recomended this book once today but it's worth repeating. "Total Immersion" is the title of the book and it helped me like no other one thing has. It made going to the pool alot more enjoyable and I improved my swimming without killing myself!, in the book it says that if you are working really hard then your probably doing it wrong. Thrashing around in the water is not how you want to swim, you need to be smooth because smooth is fast.
Good luck and I know it will help.
Spike.

tri4hale · 09-14-2005, 06:11 PM

i was a hydrophobe for years, and still hold records for slowest swim times at many venues, what helped me most (other than Masters swim programs) was a good set of goggles. getting my face in the water was almost impossable prior to that.
good luck, i know were you are comming from.

Red Devil · 09-14-2005, 07:37 PM

I was in the same boat. I first started swimming it took me 45 minutes to swim 400m, after I hired a coach I am now down to 11 minutes in just 2 months. I just finished the 800m in 20 minutes so having a little bit of help goes a long way!

sfricks · 09-15-2005, 12:16 PM

1 word. Rhythm. It will come. My wife swam for 3 months, struggling every stroke. Two days before her 1st Sprint Triathlon it clicked. She's a fish now. Keep working at it. It will click for you too. Good luck!

BlueFalcon · 09-15-2005, 02:12 PM

Live, love, learn "Total Immersion" by Terry Laughlin like the previous replier recommended. This book changed my swimming philosophy and attitude. It is not your usual learn to swim fare...

themenace · 09-15-2005, 02:43 PM

I've heard alot about Total Immersion. Is it good for the experienced swimmer too?

BlueFalcon · 09-15-2005, 06:24 PM

Right from the beginning Terry Laughlin (Total Immersion) writes Forget everything you've heard about swimming; the old way is difficult to follow, frustrating, and wastes your energy and time by concentrating on the wrong thing.
Overall, Total Immersion is more a lesson on long, stretching, easy strokes, than churning the water. Total Immersion is to swimming what zen is to martial arts... but, I assure you, without the eye-rolling philosophy.

stevenr · 09-16-2005, 01:19 PM

The total immersion dvd is great if you prefer visual learning !

Celia · 09-16-2005, 02:02 PM

I guess I'm really not in the same boat, I'm a strong swimmer, but don't forget this is the smallest portion of the tri. Because my strongest sport is swimming I'm at a disadvantage-- everyone passes me on the bike ride! So hang in there, just finish the swim then make up time on the rest! Hope this is a more encouraging look at your weaker sport. Celia

themenace · 09-16-2005, 02:38 PM

My experience too. The younger waves are already ahead then my age group passes. Then the guys from the older age groups then the gals from the older age group. I always think they must be laughing at the swim specialist. I HAVE to work on my bike.

BlueFalcon · 09-17-2005, 08:01 AM

A redundant mantra throughout Total Immersion is that the "fastest" swimmers take the fewest strokes. It’s more about fish-like swimming, reach, rhythm, and relax. The energy cost is minimal compared to the popular mentality that you must fight through fatigue. By reaching and relaxing, you stretch your body, you roll the hips (your real swim engine), and you glide through the water, not churn it. The next time you’re at the pool watch a "senior" swimmer. I bet that person is smooth as silk, effortlessly swimming lap after lap… And I bet if you count their strokes, they take fewer strokes per lap than the younger swimmers… Yet they are going the same speed, if not faster than the younger, stronger swimmers!

So I ask you to reconsider the statement: "I HAVE to work on my bike." Believe me, the guy/gal that makes the swim look so easy, is working on their bike too.