Newbie ? - Can I do Breast Stroke? - Triathlon Week

jlh370 · 07-23-2006, 11:34 AM

Let me preface this by saying I am completely new to this sport. I started training a few months ago just to have a goal to motivate me to get into better shape. My race is in 4 weeks and I'm very worried about the swim. I have been a part of a training program where we meet once a week to swim with our trainers. I simply can't get the freestyle down. Everyone tells me that my stroke looks good, but I'm out of breath after 25 meters.

To test it out I did 1000m of breast stroke with no trouble at all. My question is whether or not I can do breast stroke in the race. I really don't care about whether or not I'm last, just that I finish something I have set out to do. I've never seen a race before, but I have assumed that everyone swims freestyle.

hmullett · 07-23-2006, 01:37 PM

jlh,
You can do whatever stroke you want to. I've seen people do breast, back, side, you name it. True, the majority of racers do swim freestyle, but this is your race. You do what you need to do to finish it! Please let us know how it goes and the very best of luck to you!

Heather

sfricks · 07-23-2006, 05:04 PM

Welcome on jlh. As Heather says Breast is fine. I race with a guys who regularly does 70.3 swims (1.2 miles) doing the Breast and beats me out of the water every time. Good luck. Please let us know how your training and your race goes. Also, feel free to ask anything at all. There are no dumb questions.

Spike10 · 07-25-2006, 11:04 AM

Do whatever gets you to the finish line, I will tell my story in the Triathlon forum from my race this past Sunday, and yes I did the brest stroke almost all the way.

alpinechic · 08-07-2006, 07:35 AM

Swimming is my weakest of the three sports and I savor the breast stroke. It gave my shoulders a needed break during an Olympic distance race this past spring. When the breast stroke got old, I switched to back and side strokes...whatever it takes to get to the finish line.

I experience the "windedness" you explain below when I swim freestyle. Does anyone have any pointers on this?

sfricks · 08-13-2006, 01:08 PM

alpine,
I wish there was a magis "online" bullet for your swimming anxiety. Without seeing you swim, it would be tough. Of course, swim lessons are a first recommendation. Outside of that, I'd say forget time and distance and just work on technique. It'll click for you.

Trigirl22 · 06-05-2008, 10:51 AM

I have seen people swim in several different ways. I say..do whatever feels comfortable to you and gets you through it! Good luck :)