I need help with swimming for Triathlons. Any suggestions would be great.?

Question

I am training for a half ironman, but I only recently started taking swimming lessons. I suck at swimming. Ive got so many thing going through my mind. Flutter kick, stay on top of the water, keep your head down and straight, turn on your side and reach further. I'm hoping one day soon it will just click. Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Do you remember how it was learning to drive a stick? Ten things to think about at once, and it was a herky-jerky mess. How did you get past that? Practice.

It's the same thing with swimming. You have to put in time in the pool and practice. A lot. Then it gradually becomes second nature.

Getting instruction makes a big difference -- that will hopefully prevent you from developing bad habits (that also become second nature). Get as much open water experience as you can, too. Open water is harder than in the pool.

Good luck!

Answer 2

we in the same boat pal, except i chickened out of my state olympic length due to lack of swim skills

go check out total immersion and find your sweet spot

Answer 3

Practice practice practice! It stinks but just doing it over and over again will help.  At the pool I work at there is a Master Swim class for adult fitness swimmers and those that do triathlons, you are in a class with other people so the attention is not always on you and the instructions come at a slowwer rate so you don't feel overwelmed and most of the people in classes like that are happy to help each other out.

Swimming is best to do as a stress releaser just clear you mind, letting it go blank and feel the way your body moves in the water. What motions make you feel like you are moving more efficently or feel more natural to your body? If a motion feels like it is straining your body or goes against the normal flow of the water you are probably doing it wrong, so correct things by trying new things and experimenting, have fun with it.