Starting freestyle lessons! Wish me luck!

I hope you love it too! Good luck with the lessons!

I started freestyle lessons last week. I have been able to self-coach cycling and running (thanks to numerous online and printed resources), but for us "adult onset" competitive swimmers, I think paying a swim coach is money well-spent.

My coach met with me, watched me swim, taught me a few drills, and then gave me a workout that I will use for the next two weeks (3x week). We'll then meet again and repeat the process. I hope to continue this process through the winter. I can already see improvement...

Good luck and enjoy! I've been laughing at myself for the last few moths as I have realized that my breaststroke is as fast as my front crawl despite two years of efforts to speed up in front crawl. I love breaststroke but it hasn't been an option for me as I hurt my knees swimming across a lake doing breastroke as a teen and haven't ever been able to do it for long without the pain coming back. I couldn't find a one on one coach so I've signed up for masters swimming in hopes it will help me improve my front crawl -fortunately I signed up before seeing the other thread about how horrible some masters swimming groups can be.

Thank you guys! I truly appreciate your advices and support!

I actually made it to my first class and I can say it was pretty successful. My initial front crawl existed only until the moment I had to take a breath, and at the end of the class I swam 25 yards!!! I was happy like a little kid

I found that my legs got tired, which surprised me, since I am doing a little bit of swimming/biking/running here and there. I am also fully capable to swim over a mile in breaststroke EASY without feeling tired, but I guess it might be just a different type of workout, and my legs were not used to?

Anyways, I am very positive about it and looking forward to practice, and for another lessons. I cannot say I fully enjoyed it (as much as I am obsessed with breaststroke), but I kind of liked it and I felt pretty relaxed - which never happened before.

Mary

Glad to hear your first class went well. I'm starting lessons at the end of September, so we're in this together!

How awesome! I wish you all the best with your class
Mary

This is most likely due to kicking alot trying to maintain a feeling of balance in the water. After several more lessons you will learn you won't have to kick as much.

You are probably right. I told the instructor I did not want to focus on anything else until I feel comfortable with breathing. So I will be honest, I did not pay attention to my legs.

Thanks for your support!
Maria

That makes a lot of sense what you are saying. Thank you!
I am extremely happy I was comfortable with breathing and looking forward to master the kicks

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You would never believe (I still can't...), but this front crawl thing is actually looking pretty good

I did not have a class last week, because I had a race on Saturday. I will have the next one tomorrow. But I practiced some today and I was doing 25 yards with no problem I still feel a little nervous about a breathing, but it gets more and more controlled. I was thinking about trying to do 50 yards, but decided there will be time for that.

Thanks for support!
Mary

Good luck! I look forward to hearing about your progress.

I told the instructor I did not want to focus on anything else until I feel comfortable with breathing.


Maria

My Training LogMy Race Log

Thanks! I cannot wait until I can tell you guys I actually did triathlon in front crawl
Mary

Good for you. I'm the last out of the water in all the sprints and my oly. I keep saying I'll get those lessons...

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I am so happy you like being coached! How's it going? Congrats to the little one too

My lessons are going great - learned to flip turn. And did 50 m. I was sick for two weeks and no exercises at all, so I lost a lot of fitness. But I managed I cannot believe I can actually swim in front crawl, it's amazing!!
Mary

Yay!

As the one always the last out of the lake I took my first group lesson Sunday. Lucky to have a good quality tri club that has some really expert swimmers willing to teach. Being self taught I was afraid I'd be the worst, but happily went to lane three out of six. First two for very new or weak swimmers. I'm slow, but not horrible - think I don't kick enough and drag my lower body.

I'm sure they will let me know. Just got lots of pep talks, they watched us swim and timed us.

I did 2:47/100. No improvement in a year. While I studied youtube clips, I didn't swim enough - and can't know if I incorporated any of what I learned. I've realized I don't have the body awareness I thought I had.

It is exciting to realize that I might actually be able to learn to swim!

Mitzi

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