The Swimmer's Life.

Anonymous asked: Hi, when ever I go swimming I feel like I need to catch my breath very often, like I run out of air very quickly and I literally feel like I am dying, do you think that I am out of shape? and if so what workouts should I do to get in swim shape and how long would it take for me to get in shape? Thanks in advance

You are probably out of shape. Swimming takes a lot of cardio and endurance, and if you slack for a while, you can lose this endurance.

Honestly it depends on how long you’ve been out of shape. A few weeks or months, it should only take a few weeks. But if it’s been months to a year or more, it could take much longer. I would start with long swims, and eventually add intervals. Also, add additional cardio/running to your routine.

Hope this helps!

xoxodanceinthesnow asked: i am a sprinter, but how can i build my stamina?

Stamina is simply endurance. So pretty much the opposite of what sprinters do. 

If you want to build stamina, you need to train like a mid-distance to distance swimmer. Go for runs, do cardio work-outs, and sets that involve 400’s or more. That’s the best way.

I hope that helps :)

chlorinehead 

swimming-tribulations 

swimmingmemes 

These are all wonderful. CHECK THEM OUT!!! :)

our-vision-of-paradise asked: to annon asking about the 800 :3 k im a distance swimmer and i do 1500 and 800 all the time! so how i usually do it is i will go out the first 100 not to fast but faster than your pace and then slow it down till you get around your pace time, then build the next 200, so now you're half way done, then build, fast for the rest of the race :$ make sure that you keep the pace going for the 3rd quarter because thats usually when everything goes wrong for me :$ last 100 giver , thats it :$ haha

Thanks!:)

Send me your URL in a message. I’d love to see your blog and share it with my followers :)

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Anonymous asked: Hi! im 17 and i was wondering if you know any tips for 800 freestyle and 100 fly (last 100 fly i swim almost die :/ ) so thanks and i love your blog!

I actually don’t swim the 800 free. I can’t remember the last time I did. But some general advice would be to relax the first half, then build up the last half by 100’s. The 100 fly on the other hand is one of my favorites :) There are two ways to approach it. For me, I am a 200 flier/ 400 IMer, so a 100 fly is a sprint. But for you, I would suggest keeping your stroke long on the first 50. Just build it, but don’t work too hard. Then on the second 50, really use your kick, and pick up your arm speed.

Sorry I wasn’t much help for the 800, and I’m glad you love my blog! :)

Anonymous asked: hey. I really like your blog. I have been swimming since the time I could walk and you sound like you know a lot about the sport so I wanted to ask you a quastion. So lately, I have not dropped ANY time. Maybe a few seconds here or there but not much at all. I have put in the same amount of effort at practice and I was jsut wondering if you had any suggestions. By the way I love your blog!!!! It desribes my life.

Aww I’m glad you like my blog! :)

I’m gonna guess that you’re in the 13-18 age range. That is COMPLETELY normal. Honestly, it happens to almost everyone. When you’re younger, you’re constantly growing. And when you’re constantly growing, you’re constantly getting better and dropping time. So most swimmers go through a phase where they level out… No matter what he/she does, he/she can’t seem to get any better. HOWEVER! That doesn’t mean you won’t ever drop again. If you stick to it and put the extra work in that you need to, you’ll get back into the groove of dropping.

Just keep in mind that once you get to this age there are things you have to think about that you didn’t before.

1) What you eat. Even though you are burning tons of calories a day, it is still important to eat healthy to avoid getting sick and to keep yourself at your best.

2) Get sleep. Again… just to keep healthy. You don’t preform your best when you’re tired. If that means skipping tumblr for a few nights, do it. I do sometimes.

3) Work yourself harder. Stretch your limits. Try the harder interval, even if you can’t make all of them.

I hope this helps! Remember… this happens to everyone.

Anonymous asked: Hi(: I'm 14 and have been swimming longer than I could walk;)) Two questions: How do you motivate/push yourself through a REALLY hard set/practice? and: How do you pump yourself up before a race? Thanks (: I love your blog!!!

You need to remind yourself what you are working towards. Whether it be a new best time, or a qualifying time for a meet, you are always working towards SOMETHING. When I’m in the middle of a really hard practice on one of those days where the water feels like jello, I just keep thinking that this is one more step towards my goal. And at the end of the season, I don’t want to regret anything.

On the opposite side of things, before my races I remind myself that I have put all the work into it. And in the end, that’s all that matters. I listen to really loud, upbeat music and shut the world out for a few minutes. Then I go through my pre-race rituals and just do it.

Hope that answers your questions. :)