Hey swimmers....

[Starfish]

And on the breathing...

It has been awhile since I was doing regular swim workouts, and have never done a competitive open water swim of any kind. I tend to breathe bilaterally ever other stroke (I guess every 3rd?) during workouts, as a general rule, unless I am specifically working on breathing (then less often). Or, unless I'm really getting fatigued, then just same side, because it is much easier for me.

I agree with Wahine about the roll. I don't know PT stuff, but the roll is so important. I use "off side" breathing as a test of how sloppy or weak my stroke is getting...when breathing to the other side is a lot harder, I know the balance of my stroke has deteriorated.

That said, when I used to race (and I suspect if I ever do a tri), I will just breathe on my one "good" side, because it still is not second nature to just really push hard and well during bilateral breathing.

Oh, and when I used to train in the pool, I used to pyramid sets based on number of breaths per length of pool, until it was no breaths, and then finally a length underwater. These did help me get comfortable with breathing less often.

[alpinerabbit]

you scare me. an entire length diving and 16500 ft climbing.

[Starfish]

you scare me. an entire length diving and 16500 ft climbing.

Oh, AP, thank you! You gave me my first laugh-out-loud for the day. If you met me, you would not be afraid! I'm afraid of everything! And, I haven't done the 16,500' yet!