swimming help

[texassmith]

I want to be able to do a 300 yard OWS by mid-August. I have not swum laps since middle school, so I'm essentially a total newb.

Starting at the end of June I'll be able to swim 2 days/week, and hopefully will be tagging along to some OWS practices with katinthehat and finallykrisb.

I'm not looking to be first out of the water or anything, but wouldn't mind a reasonably respectable time. Goal #2 would be to not drown

I don't think I want to bite off something like 0 to 1650. I don't need to be able to cover that distance and probably won't have the time to properly do it.

Any suggestions for what my strategy should be?

[katinthehat]

the same person who wrote up 0 to 1650 has a 0 to 700 plan. And while you don't have to cover that much distance, just like in running, the further you can swim long distances, the faster you can swim shorter distances.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Are you familiar with/comfortable with freestyle as a stroke in general, or are there specific issues you have with your stroke?

[texassmith]

May 22, 2013 17:23:06 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Are you familiar with/comfortable with freestyle as a stroke in general, or are there specific issues you have with your stroke?

LOL, I don't even know.

0 to 700 sounds like it might be just what I need.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Honestly, if you're not sure where you are with your stroke, I'd recommend trying to find a coach or taking some lessons to get started.

If that's not financially feasible or you want to do it on your own, I'd try the 0 to 700 plan and seek out peer groups like open water meetups.

[joenali]

Can i just say that I commend any adult who is learning to swim or trying to get better at swimming by just getting out there is awesome in my book! Learning to swim or getting back into swimming as an adult isn't easy!!!

[finallykrisb]

May 22, 2013 19:23:20 GMT -5 joenali said:

Can i just say that I commend any adult who is learning to swim or trying to get better at swimming by just getting out there is awesome in my book! Learning to swim or getting back into swimming as an adult isn't easy!!!

Preach it sister.

Swimming is the hardest thing I've done in a very long time.

I do totally agree with KITH in that while you don't "need" to swim long distances to do the sprint tris, it makes swimming the short distances even easier.

ETA:  I'm seriously considering taking a lesson or two.

[texassmith]

Yes, I do plan to swim distances longer than 300. Just not sure I want to commit to 1650 right now.

I wish a lesson was in the budget. Really really wish. Hopefully I can get by on youtube videos and you ladies giving me pointers when we get together.

[finallykrisb]

This  is helpful.

[katinthehat]

we could probably get Melanie Y or one of the other really good girls on TriGirls to give us a group lesson out at 288.

[keweenawlove]

Do you have any friends that are good swimmers? I pretty much learned how to swim at 18. I did a couple swims with friends who could point out things I could fix.

[finallykrisb]

May 23, 2013 8:29:38 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

we could probably get Melanie Y or one of the other really good girls on TriGirls to give us a group lesson out at 288.

This is a great idea.  We need to see about putting together a unofficial swim clinic.

[texassmith]

May 23, 2013 8:33:01 GMT -5 finallykrisb said:

May 23, 2013 8:29:38 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

we could probably get Melanie Y or one of the other really good girls on TriGirls to give us a group lesson out at 288.

This is a great idea.  We need to see about putting together a unofficial swim clinic.

A million times yes.

[runclt]

I would really recommend just swimming at least once with someone who is a good swimmer at least. I think having someone watch you and give critique/tips on form is very helpful. I had one session with a swim coach before my oly and I swear it totally changed my swimming life. She said things that just made it "click" more, so it was well worth the $50 I paid her.