VO2 and swimming - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

greyeyes · 07-09-2005, 03:45 PM

This summer I am working at a summer camp that is stationed on a lake. I work the waterfront with a few other people. Between periods that we are working I like to race one of my fellow lifeguards swimming around a course. I have always thought of myself as a pretty good swimmer till I competed with this dude. He can continue freestyle through the entire course while I am gasping for breath less than half way through. I can run forever as long as I am getting oxygen but when I am swimming I have found that I run out of breath really fast. I was wondering if there was anything (training, whatever) to improve the way that my body conserves oxygen while I am swimming.

Vincentt · 07-09-2005, 10:32 PM

swimming is strange in that fewer strokes = better speed, you also use less 02.

I think you should look into your beathing style, you should beable to get 02 as much as you want.

I know I would always run out of breath because I would be concentrating on doing the correct swim concepts and forget to breathe.

metalgeek · 07-10-2005, 12:01 PM

Well, another question is what strokes vs breath rate are you running? 2x1 3x1 5x1?
One thing to do to practice, and to increase VO2 is up the ratio while practicing, we used to do this all the time when I was in competitive swimming (mmm double dog fly)
If I'm looking to work on V02 I generally double the strokes per breath (I keep it odd for freestyle though)

Kryptik · 07-11-2005, 09:02 PM

Another thing to check is to make sure your mechanics for the stroke you are performing are correct. If you are wasting effort or energy and he isn't, that could account for the discrepancy.

Since you're a lifegaurd I'm guessing this probably isn't the case, but it's something to consider.

hannukah harry · 07-13-2005, 10:18 PM

i'll definatly go with what kryptik said about checking out your mechanics, form, etc are right. cause that will waste energy.

also, an important thing to consider is this... when you run, you use different muscles than when you swim. running will build your hearts pumping ability and increase the vascularity of those muscles (the number of capilaries between yoru muscles and the arteries/veins). because most people don't use their arms in that capcity, you need to give it time to develop. your heart can pump out blood at the same rate/volume for either running or swimming. but your cardio vascular system is less effecient at delivering that blood to your arms/back/swimming muscles than to your legs.

almostaugust · 07-14-2005, 12:01 AM

Yay.
A tilted swimming thread. About freaking time really.

I started regular laps at the local pool a couple of months ago. So, im a novice with style etc.
I'd echo the advice offered though, about mechanics and form. I improved out of site when i started concentrating on getting my stroke right, breathing etc.
All the best.

thingstodo · 07-16-2005, 05:46 AM

Technique is critical. It will also aid in breating correctly. And some people are naturally better at some things than others. You can probably out run that dude, right?

greyeyes · 07-16-2005, 09:38 AM

Sadly, since posting this I have broken my foot. However, I tried slowing my pace down while focusing more on technique and I have found that I can swim farther without having to change the stroke or stop even though I haven't been able to use my legs efficiently. Though this might be because I'm not having to supply my legs as much oxygen I would if they were kicking, but honestly I dont know how this sort of thing really works.

Catmandu · 07-19-2005, 08:48 AM

Breaking your foot might actually help you out. Runners tend to kick too hard when they first start swimming. In distance swimming, legs are more for balance and control, like the tail of an airplane. Save the big kick for the last 100 meters. I was a runner before I was a triathlete, so I know of which I speak. The best swimming I ever did was the summer after knee surgery. I had to use crutches all spring, so my swimming was much like your situation. I used the time to work on form, balance, and endurance.

07-09-2005, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
greyeyes ham on rye would be nice Location: I don't even know anymore	VO2 and swimming This summer I am working at a summer camp that is stationed on a lake. I work the waterfront with a few other people. Between periods that we are working I like to race one of my fellow lifeguards swimming around a course. I have always thought of myself as a pretty good swimmer till I competed with this dude. He can continue freestyle through the entire course while I am gasping for breath less than half way through. I can run forever as long as I am getting oxygen but when I am swimming I have found that I run out of breath really fast. I was wondering if there was anything (training, whatever) to improve the way that my body conserves oxygen while I am swimming. __________________ I'm kind of jealous of the life I'm supposedly leading. - Zach Braff

07-09-2005, 10:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vincentt Addict Location: Tokyo, Japan	swimming is strange in that fewer strokes = better speed, you also use less 02. I think you should look into your beathing style, you should beable to get 02 as much as you want. I know I would always run out of breath because I would be concentrating on doing the correct swim concepts and forget to breathe. __________________ .

07-10-2005, 12:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
metalgeek Insane Location: Calgary	Well, another question is what strokes vs breath rate are you running? 2x1 3x1 5x1? One thing to do to practice, and to increase VO2 is up the ratio while practicing, we used to do this all the time when I was in competitive swimming (mmm double dog fly) If I'm looking to work on V02 I generally double the strokes per breath (I keep it odd for freestyle though) __________________ The truth is, wherever you choose to be, it's the wrong place. Chuck Palahniuk , Diary

07-13-2005, 10:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
hannukah harry Junkie	i'll definatly go with what kryptik said about checking out your mechanics, form, etc are right. cause that will waste energy. also, an important thing to consider is this... when you run, you use different muscles than when you swim. running will build your hearts pumping ability and increase the vascularity of those muscles (the number of capilaries between yoru muscles and the arteries/veins). because most people don't use their arms in that capcity, you need to give it time to develop. your heart can pump out blood at the same rate/volume for either running or swimming. but your cardio vascular system is less effecient at delivering that blood to your arms/back/swimming muscles than to your legs. __________________ shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

07-14-2005, 12:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
almostaugust Junkie Location: Oz	Yay. A tilted swimming thread. About freaking time really. I started regular laps at the local pool a couple of months ago. So, im a novice with style etc. I'd echo the advice offered though, about mechanics and form. I improved out of site when i started concentrating on getting my stroke right, breathing etc. All the best. __________________ 'And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe Maybe this year will be better than the last I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself To hold on to these moments as they pass'

07-11-2005, 09:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kryptik Upright	Another thing to check is to make sure your mechanics for the stroke you are performing are correct. If you are wasting effort or energy and he isn't, that could account for the discrepancy. Since you're a lifegaurd I'm guessing this probably isn't the case, but it's something to consider.

07-16-2005, 05:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Technique is critical. It will also aid in breating correctly. And some people are naturally better at some things than others. You can probably out run that dude, right? __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

07-16-2005, 09:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
greyeyes ham on rye would be nice Location: I don't even know anymore	Sadly, since posting this I have broken my foot. However, I tried slowing my pace down while focusing more on technique and I have found that I can swim farther without having to change the stroke or stop even though I haven't been able to use my legs efficiently. Though this might be because I'm not having to supply my legs as much oxygen I would if they were kicking, but honestly I dont know how this sort of thing really works. __________________ I'm kind of jealous of the life I'm supposedly leading. - Zach Braff

07-19-2005, 08:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Catmandu Insane Location: Seattle	Breaking your foot might actually help you out. Runners tend to kick too hard when they first start swimming. In distance swimming, legs are more for balance and control, like the tail of an airplane. Save the big kick for the last 100 meters. I was a runner before I was a triathlete, so I know of which I speak. The best swimming I ever did was the summer after knee surgery. I had to use crutches all spring, so my swimming was much like your situation. I used the time to work on form, balance, and endurance.