Learning to Swim

I thought I knew how to swim.  Apparently making your way across a pool and swimming laps are 2 different animals.  On day one (October 1, 2012) I ventured into the pool area of my health club with goggles still in the package and loose swim trunks with pockets.  That day I failed to complete 1 lap without standing for many reasons.  The main reason was because I had no idea how to breathe - the simple act of trying to hold my head above water at all times while taking strokes was killing me.  I sicked in water through my mouth and nose and each time I had to stop and recover.

2 months later and I can now successfully complete 2 sets of 500 yards with a 5 min rest between in under 28 minutes.  For me this is a HUGE accomplishment.  This means that the indoor tri in Feb I will be attending I can swim approximately 500 yards in 10 minutes which is my target for this race.  I have inhaled more water but it no longer paralyzes me.

How did I do it?

1. Breathe!  Seriously, Stick your head in the water and get used to it being there for most of the swim.  I have stared at the black line for quite a while now in my short 2 months.
2. I realized that swimming in a triathlon you want to save your legs.  So kick sparingly.  I only kick   when rotating my body for a stroke.
3. Lots of Youtube!  This is always a first stop. Watch all the videos from Total Immersion.
4. Time in the water.  Spend as much time as possible horizontal in the water.  Find that balance.
5. Ditch swimming aids - buoys, boards and such.  Only made me more dependent on them.
6. Take videos of yourself above and below water.  For me this is where I found out why I was failing at the kick.
7. Stay aerobic.  Keep your heart rate down.  Kicking your legs too much is an easy to go anaerobic .
8. Keep moving.  Side stroke or  even just kicking lightly on your side before your next stroke to catch up on a couple breathes will help.

This is all my opinion and what I have done.

Below is the video that turned me onto Total Immersion