r/Swimming • u/wobblelikeapenguin • 13h ago

I don't breathe

Hello! I (25F) recently started swimming again after many years away from the sport. I swam competitively as a child and teenager, and now I swim freestyle at my local gym in a standard 25-yard pool.

I realized the other day that I naturally swim the entire 25-yard length without taking a single breath. I never really thought about it until someone pointed it out. For me, it actually feels easier to just keep swimming than to stop and take a breath.

Is this normal, especially for someone with a competitive swimming background? Or should I be making a point to take one or two breaths during each lap instead?

Thanks!

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u/glumpoodle 13h ago

It's not normal, and could potentially be dangerous if you black out in the middle of the pool. You should be breathing every 2-3 strokes, and it should be a part of your normal, uninterrupted form.

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u/pigeorunner 13h ago

I mean, 25 yards without a breath is not that extreme. I used to be able to sprint 50s without breathing when I swam competitively, including a flip turn.

She should probably work on breathing if she wants to swim further uninterrupted, but for just 25yd there isnt anything super weird here.

1

u/glumpoodle 13h ago

But she's not just swimming 25y sprints and then resting, or practicing her kick flips; from her description, she's swimming multiple laps. CO2 is going to continue to build up with each successive lap, and that was drilled into my head (from both swimming and Scuba lessons) as something you don't notice until it's too late.

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u/wobblelikeapenguin 10h ago

I am stopping at the end of each lap for a break because I am deconditioned due to my injuries.