dpb

Just tried my 750m swim for triathlon (august) , managed it in 20 minutes - but in breast stroke only

the quickest people do 1500m ( for the classic triathlon ) in 25 lol


Im at the same postion as i was when i last swam ( a long time ago ) , Cannot get the the breathing right for the crawl - and now the rotation of the arms is hard work as well !

Should i give up ?

nik52wrx

Early days so i wouldn't give up. Crawl is your best bet for speed, just remember every third stroke take a breath.
Why not draw up a training plan increasing your distance gradually then push to reduce the time taken, 3-4 months you'll be much better.

fitzscoob

definitely dont give up, keep going and it will come.

I'm waiting to start swimming as part of my new exercise regime but its been years since I managed to pull off a tumbleturn!

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

LOL, used to do it seriously years ago. Used to swim for the county etc but nowadays I am confined to dunking the kids though I can still do a mean tumbleturn

Keep up the swimming mate, the key is the breathing and the technique. Sounds as though you are doing well though

dpb

yeh im doing this in the hope of staving off the middle age spread and because my 1k bike in the basement should be used or sold




hot tip , dont go for speedo endurance trunks , the really dont go with even a slight paunch

oldsplice

I love swimming and used to go regularly. Buggers up your hair though (not that it would be a problem for Swiss! ). Haven't been for ages.


Can we have a pic of Swiss in his budgie smugglers?

fitzscoob

haha I have seen some guys turn up in the same body suits as Eric the Eel....always gets a slightly funny look.

Ant

I go swimming regulary at my gym. Got swimming a mile down from a hour to 35min.


Keep at it

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Cheeky mare

This is the only one you are getting, me on a raft in thailand

lozgti1

You've aged well

Looks like crocodile water to me

I still swim once a week.Wish I could do more.

Nowt wrong with speedo lycra swimming shorts

oldsplice

You were only about 10 then!

oldsplice

There is if you look like Buster Bloodvessel!

dpb

bloody 'ell thats a bit tasty , somehow i suspect your not a couch potato lol

tony de wonderful

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

16-17 :P


dbp, keep at it mate, those times are not to be sniffed at when some people struggle to do a few yards in a pool without holding onto the sides

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Back on track LOL

I used to swim a lot when younger and was taught two techniques for front crawl, one for max speed which involved a lot of energy release and another for longer distances which involved a very "lazy" style using gravity to drop the arm into the water etc.......

At .75 kilomter I'd maximise your breaststroke potential to conserve energy..

Shaun

XRS

It's worth keeping up the practice with the crawl - for me it's a much faster stroke.

As a retired person I get to swim 3 times a week, 2.5k (just under 50 minutes) twice, and 2k (just over 35 minutes) once. I'm not fast, some swimmers are faster than me whether they swim breaststroke, fly or backstroke

Coffin Dodger

Yeah, like to do some cheeky bombing while the lifeguards aren't looking and splashing the girls down the shallow end

oldsplice

I bet you let out a secret wee as well!

dpb

I d be very happy to be a able to do that ! , i have to get the breathing right



- apparently you need also to be adaptable with the breathing for open water swimming which is the course ill be doing

cant remember last time went swimming , is 4 quid to get in normal/average nowadays ?

The Zohan

I teach swimming and used to compete at national level. Front crawl and butterfly 50 + 100m, i was a sprinter, not distance swimmer but used to warm up and down with 1500m crawl in sub 27/28m's back on ''78/'79/'80 - i was just a lad!

Ditch breaststroke, it is more tiring/less efficient as you arms and legs move outside your body/shoulders' (which is usually the widest part) width increasing resistance and drag. A good long crawl will be quicker and use the same or less energy if swam right, it is a more streamlined and efficient stroke. you can breath every stroke when tiring as well.

Ok the basics of all strokes
BLABT

Body (position)
Legs
Arms
Breathing
Timing

Back to basics for you i think. If your arms and legs and position are fine (head down body flat) then as your trailing arm leaves the water you turn your head as you throw this arm forward and breath IN) when you head is back in the water then either trickle or explosive breath dependant on you and your speed, if distance then trickle breath. and repeat as required. With crawl you should only rotate around the horizontal e axis and your legs should cut this down to a minimum

To break the stroke down further slow it right down and do catch up with your arms. so that the you touch hands before doing another are rotation - it is easier to show that explain.

Try counting and breathing every two then three strokes for alternate sides. Your leg beat should be around six kicks to each arm rotation - rule of thumb.

Back in the day...('79)

dpb

Cheers for that , food for thought

Ant

I am actually all 18stone of me

Coffin Dodger

Maybe. Doesn't that turn the water purple in some pools

ScoobyWon't

You've cut out the kebab at the half mile mark, I take it

Ant

no I just don't have chips and Mayo with it