Triathlon - Very odd ... swimming related

After my first duathalon this spring, I've decided to train for a triathlon (next season). My weak spot, as you may guess, is swimming. I'm having to remember childhood swim lessons, and follow tips from books/internet, etc.

Mostly, I go to the YMCA and fight against the water, completing 1 to 3 laps before becoming exhausted. In a session, I can complete about 20 laps or so total, including drills, but I will spend about the same amount of time resting between laps as I would swimming.

Well, I went yesterday, and after a warm up drill, I started swimming, and went for 10 laps without a problem. After a brief break, I swam another 10 laps, continuously. Another break was followed by 9 more laps of mixed strokes, resting between each lap.

So I had some sort of "break-through" in the water, and I don't understand it. All I can think of is that I was much more relaxed, used my legs much less than what I have been doing, and perhaps did a better job of keeping my head down.

I hope progress continues for me.

I had almost the same experience! I went from being able to complete two laps without resting on Monday to six laps on Tuesday to thirty two consecutive laps on Thursday! Isn't that odd?

...much more relaxed, used my legs much less than what I have been doing, and perhaps did a better job of keeping my head down.
Sounds like you figured it out.

After my first duathalon this spring, I've decided to train for a triathlon (next season). My weak spot, as you may guess, is swimming. I'm having to remember childhood swim lessons, and follow tips from books/internet, etc.

Mostly, I go to the YMCA and fight against the water, completing 1 to 3 laps before becoming exhausted. In a session, I can complete about 20 laps or so total, including drills, but I will spend about the same amount of time resting between laps as I would swimming.

Well, I went yesterday, and after a warm up drill, I started swimming, and went for 10 laps without a problem. After a brief break, I swam another 10 laps, continuously. Another break was followed by 9 more laps of mixed strokes, resting between each lap.

So I had some sort of "break-through" in the water, and I don't understand it. All I can think of is that I was much more relaxed, used my legs much less than what I have been doing, and perhaps did a better job of keeping my head down.

I hope progress continues for me.Before you know it you'll be swimming 3000yd non-stop. Good luck and keep swimming. :thumb:

I've been back to the pool, and it seems I have found my groove, so to speak. Up to 2 sets of 12 continuous laps. Just slowed down, and remained relaxed. I can see working up to a mile in the pool. The contrast to how I had been swimming is so amazing. It's so easy now, I can focus on parts of my swim instead of worrying about if I would be able to complete any given distance.

It's awesome!!

the 0 to 1650 program works awesome, im on week 3 now.....

http://ruthkazez.com/ZeroTo1mile.html

This is awesome news, I just got back in to swimming and am not having the best time. I've been telling myself I just need more time in the water, so this is a welcome success story!