After couple years of learning to swim on my own, I can finally wiggle my way through the water without being breathless after every other lap. I have incorporated swimming into my cardiovascular training because I had developed knee pains from heavy squatting when I played sports competitively. Although I am still capable of jogging long distance and sprinting, I often need to take extra days off from doing weight-bearing exercises (e.g. jogging, playing basketball, soccer) after a long leg training session.

When I first started swimming, I was clumsy and ungraceful in the water; while the swimmers in other lanes were moving through the water effortlessly, I was struggling to catch my breath after a mere 25 meters (half a lap). Since then, I have been doing research on proper freestyle techniques and asking for advice. Still, nothing works better than jumping into the water and honing your strokes, kicks, and body coordination.

After nearly two years of struggle, I have improved my flexibility and coordination. But I have hit a plateau and can not swim any faster. Recently, I have made a valuable discovery about my incorrect head position and increased my speed and distance swum dramatically by lifting my head above the water surface by several more inches. Since my adjustment, I have been able to train for longer.

Here’s a list of techniques and tips that I have learned in the past two years:

1. rotate hips while moving forward in the water
2. rotate shoulders when going from one stroke to the next
3. keep the legs straight while kicking and generate power from lower abdominal muscles and hips
4. reach the arm out as far as possible when doing a stroke, like trying to reach for a piece of chocolate cake at the dinner table
5. push the chest downward in order to keep the body afloat
6. keep part of the head above the water surface that allows a clear front vision

With my triathlon coming up in less than three months, I hope to build on my improvements and reach my goal, finishing my race within 1 hour and 30 minutes.

My daily workout for today was swimming for 60 minutes and I logged in 70 laps (50 meters per lap) total.

If you happen to be a great swimmer, or know a bit about swimming, feel free to leave me some advice and tips. I’d greatly appreciate your help.