Swim breathing revelation
garyroberts
Posts: 869
in General Chat
here's the revelation (its not revolutionary, but is new thinking for me!).
I have always swum either unilaterally (every forth stroke) or bilaterally (every third stroke). And these have worked quite well, i normally start out every forth but revert to every third when i start getting tired (after three lengths!).
Anyway, here's the deal.....i swam today and tried breathing every second stoke, wow, no tiredness attack, just felt like i could go for ever!!! As for speed, i dont think it slowed me down at all, sure it's a slower technique (i think), but because i don't get tired, i think that makes up for it.
I shall continue......and see how it works out....
Anyway care to add thoughts?
I have always swum either unilaterally (every forth stroke) or bilaterally (every third stroke). And these have worked quite well, i normally start out every forth but revert to every third when i start getting tired (after three lengths!).
Anyway, here's the deal.....i swam today and tried breathing every second stoke, wow, no tiredness attack, just felt like i could go for ever!!! As for speed, i dont think it slowed me down at all, sure it's a slower technique (i think), but because i don't get tired, i think that makes up for it.
I shall continue......and see how it works out....
Anyway care to add thoughts?
0
Comments
It depends what distance I'm swimming really, if its a short 400-750m blast it'l be every 2 strokes as I'm not only breathing out my mouth but also out of my arse when its a swim sprint. If its a longer swim 2000-4000m I'll generaly get into a nice 4 breath rythm.
Whatever works for you really, I can breath billaterly but never do it in races.
G
Im on leave again in 2 weeks time for Easter so well have to try have another training session!
I'm off week commencing 13th. Is that the week you're off? Would love to meet up again. Let me know what week your off and we'll sort something.
(will have to work even harder now to make sure i'm looking better than last time!)
G
been practising bilateral and run out of steam - forgot that i could drop down to every two!! - got my first sprint tri on may 10th.
Might help me reach my predicted swim time... having only swam in the pool on holiday predicting it was was much like pinning the tail on the donkey....
If it works for you Gary then that's all that matters!
Of course in time as your fitness improves further you can give breathing every 3 or 4 strokes a try again.
a) right arm = 1
left arm = 2
right arm = 3
left arm = 4
as in a step in running/walking
or
b) right, left, = 1
right, left = 2
as in a stride in running/walking?
Presumably, any loss due to being less streamlined will be made up on the run and bike legs due to not wasting yourself in the swim?
once I can actually breath to one side the plan is to learn both sides but small steps
i have been doing sets of 250m. 2 min break. but t.b.h. after 200M, i have no power and am gasping for air, but i keep going for the last 50m.
it aint getting better. with the bi lateral, im out of breath. i just hope the wetsuit hepls a bit.
im in pool with baggy shorts. surely they must have a drag factor..
you've gotta lose the baggy shorts buddy. Swallow your pride and get some speedo's!
If you feel like you're getting out of breath breathing bi-laterally avery three strokes, try easing off the pace a bit and think of getting in to a rhythm rather than going hard-out and learning to breathe bi-laterally. Give yourself a bit of a break! I can keep this up for k's at a time and only need to breathe every two when i pick up the pace.
I'm no expert, but it works for me [;)]
Use them for training(not always of course), and add an old T-shirtfor extra spor-specific resistance training.
For those not convinced: try the baggy and shirt method for ten minutes. Then lose the draggers (put some speedos under them of course [;)]) and prepare to joy-ride the lane!!!