ohhhh you guys are great!!!! Thank you so much for all your input

Trimom - I'll definitly try the bob thing. I'm sure it will help relax in the water.

ok so I went this morning after reading all your input on here. Breathe slow and steady Breathe in my mouth, breathe out through my nose and mouth....I managed to do 2 warmup laps!!!! yeah me LOL

Then I did 25m - 1 min rest X 8 and then switched to breast stroke and did another 50m. I really wanted to do 400m cause that's what I'll have to do for my race. So I finished with 4 laps (100m) of kicks. Took me 30 minutes.

Now I think the rest of my problem (out of breath) is more a conditionning problem than a breathing problem. My HR goes right up like when I'm running. I have to learn to pace myself and not go for record breaking times LOL Just finish the race. I'm just starting so I have to give myself a break and get those workouts in. It will get better right???

I'm going back tomorrow. I need to swim at least 3 times a week. Oh did I mention I live by a lake... I'll have to try swimming in it a few times :shudder: