iSwim (kinda).
Here we go. This is real, live video of your girl in the pool this morning. Struggling.
Each time I watch these videos, I crack up laughing. Not only because of my declaration of “I’m Spent” in the second video (3 laps into the entire production, by the way), but also because I look ridiculous. Trust me, I know this. Don’t mistake this as one of those “I’m fat (now tell me I’m skinny)” type of statements. I realize how silly I look, and I’m OK with that.
It’s my THIRD time swimming, and I clearly need some more practice. Is it just me, or am I like completely pulling my head up and out of the water at some points? That just looks weird.
Besides my less-than-stellar form, I really need to know how to not get so winded. I get severely tired and out of breath. By the time I’m halfway down the pool, I’m literally gasping for air on my breaths. I’m not sure if it’s my faulty asthmatic airways (the chlorine fumes seems to aggravate me), or if it’s just a matter of needing practice. Whatever it is, it’s going to have to get better before I TRI, that’s for sure.
I’m dedicating three days per week to swimming practice (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), I’m running on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I’ll be biking 2-3 times per week as well. I’ll just toss the biking in where I can fit it in. What I’m saying is that the swimming part has me a little nervous. Right now it feels like I’ll never get any better, but I also understand that is not a realistic statement.
I’ve felt the same way about every fitness goal that I’ve ever made. There was a point in my life when I couldn’t even run for 2 minutes straight. So. Patience is my focus right now.
Thankfully, the wonderful Coach Meg has offered to give me some tips throughout this process, and believe it or not, my swim on Monday (pre-tips from Coach Meg) was even worse than it was today! I complained to her on Monday that it seemed like my legs were sinking in the water, and she instructed me to put my head further down into the water, which would pull my hips up.
Score 1 for Coach Meg, because I did not have a case of cement feet today!
She also told me to use the rhythm “stroke, stroke, breathe”. Although I’m still struggling to get air, it was definitely easier today than my previous rhythm of “stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe”. I suppose that I can alter the rhythm at some point, but I have a hunch that I’m going to need to breathe as often as possible, considering my aforementioned faulty airways.
Such is life with asthma. I suppose I could just sit at home with my inhaler and never move, but that would be so much less fun than having asthma attacks in public places.
So, here we go. I’m open to tips, suggestions, tattoo artist referrals, swim cap placement tutorials, etc.
#1 (this one has a fairly long pause while I catch my breath at the end of the pool…you know, in case you doubted my weak lung capacity).
#2 (”I’m Spent!”).
Angela
Wednesday, 7th April 2010 at 10:46 am
I’m the world’s worst swimmer, so you look like you’re doing awesome to me =)
It’s really cool that you are taking a chance learning to do something difficult. I’d love to TRI someday, but I’m terrified of the swimming part.
Steph
Wednesday, 7th April 2010 at 11:10 am
You’re doing great! Just keep practicing.
joggersl
Wednesday, 7th April 2010 at 11:14 am
Trust me…and I really mean this…IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO!
Julia
Wednesday, 7th April 2010 at 11:21 am
Seriously, I am jealous. I have been wanting to go swimming for SO long but am very intimidated about getting in a pool, in a bathing suit, in public *yikes*
Kudos to you for getting your swim on!
Julia
http://jewliagoulia.blogspot.com
Shrinking Jil
Wednesday, 7th April 2010 at 4:44 pm
I think you look great in the water! You have a nice strong stroke and you swim straight – for your 3rd time in the pool that is downright AWESOME! Keep up the great work!
Coach Meg
Wednesday, 7th April 2010 at 9:38 pm
Wow!!! After your description of a boxing match on Monday, I didn’t know what to expect…. but you look awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! Breathing… ahhhhh… yes, harder than running, b/c you have to wait to breath. Keep practicing and then instead of every three strokes, you will be able to do every five or every seven!
keep you head low in the water and think about rolling your body as your breath…
keep up the great work! and i am hear to help you!
workout mommy
Thursday, 8th April 2010 at 9:50 am
you are doing a great job! (seriously, I almost drown every time I try to swim!)
Keep practicing and you’ll be a fish before you know it!
Your sister
Thursday, 8th April 2010 at 8:34 pm
Don’t lift your head out of the water. Think of your body – top of your head to bottom of your toes – as one plane. I don’t know how to describe it really. But tilt your whole body when you come up for a breath. If you’re breathing on the left, tilt your right shoulder down toward the bottom of the pool. And vice versa. When you tilt, your head turned to the opposite side will come out of the water.
Try breathing on just one side, every time you stroke. So you breathe every time you stroke with your right arm, for instance. You breathe only when coming up on your left side. Does that make sense? That way you’re breathing on every stroke. And take your time when you’re breathing. Don’t rush it. You’ll naturally float forward while you’re taking your time to breathe.
erikagwen
Monday, 12th April 2010 at 11:55 pm
For having just started you look good. I agree with above comment about trying to think of your body as one plane – try to streamline your arms, shoulders, hips & head.
You mentioned that you had cement feet so I’m going to guess that your hips are moving so much b/c you’re kicking so hard/fast to keep them from sinking. Try doing a scissor kick with every stroke instead of the flutter (it’s called the double trojan crawl and I’ll be damned if I can find anything online about it).
MommaG
Tuesday, 13th April 2010 at 10:41 am
I went right past all the other comments (I usually read them before I add one). You’re my Shero! You’re doing it! Who cares about form. Heck! I can’t swim at all. Just keep swimming, you are doing to do a great job in the TRI.
Scott
Tuesday, 13th April 2010 at 2:08 pm
that’s pretty good. Just like with Running, it takes time, the more you do it the better you’ll get.
Liz
Friday, 16th April 2010 at 12:54 pm
Just found your blog….I’m doing the Celebration Sprint Tri too! The swimming is definitely the scariest part for me too.