Training Plan

Young or old, fit or not, six weeks seems to be the most common length of time it takes to be able to swim a mile without stopping for rest.  It requires three times per week and the willingness to be somewhat uncomfortable while stretching your aerobic capability.  Like a scar forms in response to a wound, as a muscle enlarges to meet new demands, so does our ability to absorb oxygen.  If we methodically increase our need, our body kindly responds.  The amount of discomfort should be small, but it is necessary to pant a bit at the end of each effort and only partially recover before beginning another.  The number of breaths taken before continuing I guarantee will not seem enough.  I also promise you’ll be surprised that you are able to continue much more easily than you imagined. The feeling of not having adequate rest is necessary to improve.

A COUPLE HINTS: If you think you’re really too breathless just to get to the end of the pool, let your legs drag; the quads, being so big, take a disproportionate amount of oxygen.  Any muscle will, of course, use more when in use than when relaxed, so if you don’t need to use the muscle, don’t – for example, when you are recovering your arms.  Relaxing even your neck will help make the swim easier.  Speed is not your aim during these six weeks.  Nor is the perfect stroke.  They come later or not at all if your intention is just to enjoy the water, to relax, or to get some pleasant exercise.

If you’re feeling uneasy in the water, especially of deep water take a look at: Fear Of Water
If swimming 100 yards is not yet possible go to Zero to 700