Swimming

Hi Dooks, thanks for your informative response
I aim to get in the pool for about 8 and out just before 9. I never go in the evenings though, as like you, I get a bit hassled when there are too many people all splashing around me and swimming into me!

I know what you mean about starting off and really stretching into the stroke. I used to just get in the water, flap around for a few lengths and be completely knackered.

Now I really concentrate on going slowly and stretching my whole body through the stroke, turning my hips from side to side on each pull. And I have the bi-lateral breathing thing nailed now too! Though when I get out of breath, I start breathing every two strokes, just to get the breath back. But then, yes, this starts to throw my rythym. Once you lose the rythym, its hard to get it back without stopping and having a rest and a stretch for a few minutes.

I also try not to use my legs at all, just for balance like you say. Its strange though, my legs are very strong, but as soon as I start kicking really hard, I get tired really quickly. Again, maybe its a technique thing? I also do a bit of breast stroke as I find that has really strengthened by shoulder muscles, and funnily enough, I can go faster with this stroke, because I find the kick so powerful. But I understand that I burn way more calories like this as it is a far less efficient stroke and would not be suitable for using in a triathlon. I suppose thats why, the really serious swimmers, who are there every day, never seem to do it, and only ever swim crawl!

@mikec. probably seen you down there then. i go after work three times a week and occasionally on saturdays. usually try and get there early to avoid the crowds that start to build up from 5:30.

regarding the breathing thing, i used to start of at an arbitrary pace, and very quickly get out of breath and then either fight it till i couldn't go on or be forced to slow down (by which time my stroke would have gone to shit).

now i start off really slowly with a really stretched stroke, trying to glide as far as possible between each pull and maintaining a fully stretched out position for as long as possible. that way you can concentrate on your posture and stroke while getting momentum going. your breathing should be entirely comfortable at that stage. for normal swimming i breath bilaterally every three strokes. i breath to the right, hold it for the next stroke, breathe out slowly during the next stroke then rotate to the other side and breathe to the left on (actually just after) the third stroke. it also helps for me to concentrate on a controlled exhale leaving the inhale as an almost automatic. i find that avoids the gasping for a big breath thing or counting the seconds till you can breathe again. it's all about rhythm.

once you've got a good steady rhythm going you can gradually start to up the cadence till you're working the lungs a bit harder then keep upping it till you're really steaming along. oh and i usually start with little or no kick. i just use the occasional bit to keep balance and position in the water. as i'm upping the pace somewhere in the middle of the swim i usually start to bring a steady kick in. that's another morale boost. it's like, wow i'm really ticking along nicely now, then you bring the legs in and hey, i'm suddenly going another 20% faster for seemingly very little additional effort. very satisfying.

i have a few other key thing sthat i try and concentrate on during a swim but getting the breathing under control in that way was the big one for me.