Due to the economic crisis, we were offered a membership in a swim club (waiting lists around here run ~10 years...). We've been to the pool as much as possible, and I'm working on my endurance. Haven't been in the pool, for all intents and purposes, for years.

Breaststroke has been my stroke of choice and I've worked myself up to swimming with only short breaks for 50 minutes straight. Since I'm going for endurance, I would prefer to mix it up with some freestyle. My problem is breathing -- I try to get into a rhythm of three strokes per breath, but I find myself having problems. I think I'm not expelling all my breath underwater so I push to exhale the last bit while breathing in. It feels rushed, almost panicky. This weekend, I was able to do a couple complete lengths of freestyle but I feel myself desperate to reach the other side of the pool during the last few feet. I think this is more mental than anything. Any tips?

I'm taking an "intermediate" swimming class in July, which should help me. My goal is to join the local masters program in the fall, which I hope will help keep my spirits up during the colder/darker months.