Breathing every stroke in race swim

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2009-09-24 2:01 PM

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Athens, GA
Subject: Breathing every stroke in race swim
Hi,

Apologies if this has been covered already - I searched, but was unable to phrase my query in such a way that I didn't pull up every swim post ever made.  :P

I've heard that in a race swim, you usually want to breathe every other stroke (or every time on one side - left, breathe, right, left, breathe, right - if that makes sense) instead of bilaterally every third stroke - which is how I breathe now during practice. I've played around with breathing every other stroke, but it feels like too much air, and I feel like it slows me down a bit to be constantly rolling over for air. And this is at a moderate effort level, not sprinting, but at a pace that I consider sustainable for a mile or so.

So why do you breathe every other stroke in a race (if you do)? Is it because you're supposed to be working near sprint effort and need the air? Or is it better to take it easier on the swim in a race, and just treat it like a warmup, and breathe bilaterally?

Thanks!

2009-09-24 2:07 PM
in reply to: #2424711

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Master
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Cumming, Georgia
Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim

I've never heard of that.  I would go with whatever is comfortable.  It takes me 300 - 400 yards to get into my rhythm and after that I normally breath every 3 strokes.  Occasionaly I will breath every other stroke but only if I am pushing hard.  Maybe I should be pushing harder in the shorter races but the swim sets the tone for me for the rest of the race.



Edited by csharp1171 2009-09-24 2:08 PM
2009-09-24 2:25 PM
in reply to: #2424711

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Champion
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
My swim coach and someone on BT named Jazz both told me separately to breathe whenever I want to breathe, as long as I have air. Jazz is super fast, and my swim coach was a Canadian Olympic time-trialist, so I believe them. Do whatever feels comfortable.
2009-09-24 2:25 PM
in reply to: #2424711

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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
x2 and that's great advice coming from me because I swim so fast to begin with
2009-09-24 2:55 PM
in reply to: #2424711

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Veteran
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Papillion, NE
Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
For me, it is more comfortable to breath every other stroke. I have played around a little with every 3, and my times are slower. It is very awkward for me to breath on my left side.
I am sure, as with anything, it would/will get better if I practiced it that way more.
2009-09-24 3:10 PM
in reply to: #2424711

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Veteran
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Indianapolis
Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
Yep, do what you feel good with. I breath to my right every time. I have forever. If you practice and are more comfortable with every 3 then do that. I sight quite often too. Whatever works for you.  My swim coaches throughout the years only harped on me about not breathing on the first stroke off of a flipturn. So that won't apply to an OWS race. Other than that, I breath every 2 strokes. Oh, and as far as taking the swim easy, I don't but the swim is my strong suit. I have to get a lead on the fasties before the bike leg.

2009-09-24 4:41 PM
in reply to: #2424711

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Bob
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Binghamton, NY
Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim

In endurance events oxygen is your friend. I am a fairly strong swimmer and have always taken a breath every stroke cycle on my left side. I can breathe to my right if I need to but choose to breathe every stroke to my left. It really comes down to whatever you're comfortable with. I will teach kids to bilateral breathe for balance and some will use it during races and some will go back to every 2 strokes.

In a sprint race (under 1:00 or so) breathing isn't all that important as it's an anaerobic effort.

2009-09-24 5:00 PM
in reply to: #2424711

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Master
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Tyler, TX
Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
In my triathlons I start breathing on alternate sides since I don't seem to need to breathe frequently the first minute or so.  In a sprint triathlon I quickly end up breathing every stroke since I need the air!  In longer races I end up going with a 2-3-2 which lets me breathe frequently but not quite every stroke.  By the end I'll probably be breathing every stroke...

Brian
2009-09-24 5:03 PM
in reply to: #2425133

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim

When I swim, just like in life, I breathe when I need to.  This may be every fourth stroke to start, then every third, then maybe every other for a while if I'm breathing hard.  I try to breathe "normally", I just don't get the worrying about following a particular plan.

I've watched many tris on TV (usually Ironmans, but some short things) and the pros generally breathe every other stroke.  Meaning the breathe on the same side.  Stroke right, stroke left (breathe), repeat. 

2009-09-24 5:03 PM
in reply to: #2425133

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim

When I swim, just like in life, I breathe when I need to.  This may be every fourth stroke to start, then every third, then maybe every other for a while if I'm breathing hard.  I try to breathe "normally", I just don't get the worrying about following a particular plan.

I've watched many tris on TV (usually Ironmans, but some short things) and the pros generally breathe every other stroke.  Meaning the breathe on the same side.  Stroke right, stroke left (breathe), repeat.  

2009-09-24 5:03 PM
in reply to: #2425133

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Champion
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim

When I swim, just like in life, I breathe when I need to.  This may be every fourth stroke to start, then every third, then maybe every other for a while if I'm breathing hard.  I try to breathe "normally", I just don't get the worrying about following a particular plan.

I've watched many tris on TV (usually Ironmans, but some short things) and the pros generally breathe every other stroke.  Meaning the breathe on the same side.  Stroke right, stroke left (breathe), repeat.   I assume they are breathing hard enough due to their effort to require this.



Edited by BikerGrrrl 2009-09-24 5:04 PM

2009-09-25 8:38 AM
in reply to: #2424711

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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
As Kevin Koselka says "More Air = Better".

Like many above, I breathe every other stroke, i.e., always to my left. In a race, I will occasionally breathe to the right to sight. But other than that, I just crank and breathe. You also dont want to get to the point where you are out of breath and therefore "sucking" air so hard that you are getting air in your belly. You will pay for that later in terms of gas/bloated feeling in addition to jazzing up your heartrate too much. Its a race. Breathe.
2009-09-25 8:46 AM
in reply to: #2424711

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Master
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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
I have only dons sprints and push the swim pretty hard, so need to breathe every stroke on my right.  I bilateral when training (if not doing a hard interval) and often will breathe every 3rd at the start, but soon get into my rhythm of every storke on the right, sighting or breathing to the left as needed.
2009-09-25 8:51 AM
in reply to: #2424711

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Elite
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Miami
Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
every other stroke.  sight every 5-6 breaths.

more air = better x2 agreed.

i have the privalage to work with x Gold medal winners and eventhough i am a complete newbie in the pool i get a chance to bs with them. 

many you have said every stroke when you going fast.  you need to work on form that is why the feeling of slowdown.
2009-09-25 8:55 AM
in reply to: #2425140

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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
BikerGrrrl - 2009-09-24 6:03 PM

When I swim, just like in life, I breathe when I need to.  This may be every fourth stroke to start, then every third, then maybe every other for a while if I'm breathing hard.  I try to breathe "normally", I just don't get the worrying about following a particular plan.

I've watched many tris on TV (usually Ironmans, but some short things) and the pros generally breathe every other stroke.  Meaning the breathe on the same side.  Stroke right, stroke left (breathe), repeat.   I assume they are breathing hard enough due to their effort to require this.



You know,,,, I tried that breath when I need to thing and kept choking, then I figured out that I had to wait until my mouth was above the waterTongue out   So I started breathing before I needed to (i.e. not running on empty) 

BTW, I know what you mean't I am just a habitual Smart Guy and couldn't resistWink

2009-09-25 10:50 AM
in reply to: #2424711

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Breathing every stroke in race swim
I'm in the the "breathe when you need air" catagory.  In open water, that generally means every 4 to 6 strokes if I'm not pushing it, 3-4 if I'm going hard and if I'm really going hard, every 2 but I never deliberately think about when to do it, if I need air, I take a breath and I never hold my breath - I'm either breathing in or out.

For those of you who say more air = better, do you follow that principle when you run and bike as well?  ie. do you do what you can to get as much air into you at all costs or do  you just let your body control your breathing naturally?

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