Exhausted from swimming a really short distance

[Jeana]

For the last month or so, I have been walking a mile a day on my treadmill. It takes me between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on what speed I choose. A

nyway, I went to the pool this past weekend and decided I'd swim some laps. I used to be on the swim team and even about 6-7 years ago passed the lifeguard test, which I believe was 20 laps. So, I started swimming and was only able to complete 3 lengths of the pool. And it wasn't my arms or legs that were hurting; I was just so out of breath. So, I grabbed a kickboard and kicked another 14 lengths.

But I am really kind of depressed about the whole thing. Will I be able to build up to swimming more lengths or do I just have lung damage? I thought for sure I'd be able to do more since I have been exercising every day for four weeks...

 

[Jeana]

For the last month or so, I have been walking a mile a day on my treadmill. It takes me between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on what speed I choose. A

nyway, I went to the pool this past weekend and decided I'd swim some laps. I used to be on the swim team and even about 6-7 years ago passed the lifeguard test, which I believe was 20 laps. So, I started swimming and was only able to complete 3 lengths of the pool. And it wasn't my arms or legs that were hurting; I was just so out of breath. So, I grabbed a kickboard and kicked another 14 lengths.

But I am really kind of depressed about the whole thing. Will I be able to build up to swimming more lengths or do I just have lung damage? I thought for sure I'd be able to do more since I have been exercising every day for four weeks...

 

[Jeana]

For the last month or so, I have been walking a mile a day on my treadmill. It takes me between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on what speed I choose. A

nyway, I went to the pool this past weekend and decided I'd swim some laps. I used to be on the swim team and even about 6-7 years ago passed the lifeguard test, which I believe was 20 laps. So, I started swimming and was only able to complete 3 lengths of the pool. And it wasn't my arms or legs that were hurting; I was just so out of breath. So, I grabbed a kickboard and kicked another 14 lengths.

But I am really kind of depressed about the whole thing. Will I be able to build up to swimming more lengths or do I just have lung damage? I thought for sure I'd be able to do more since I have been exercising every day for four weeks...

 

[Jeana]

For the last month or so, I have been walking a mile a day on my treadmill. It takes me between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on what speed I choose. A

nyway, I went to the pool this past weekend and decided I'd swim some laps. I used to be on the swim team and even about 6-7 years ago passed the lifeguard test, which I believe was 20 laps. So, I started swimming and was only able to complete 3 lengths of the pool. And it wasn't my arms or legs that were hurting; I was just so out of breath. So, I grabbed a kickboard and kicked another 14 lengths.

But I am really kind of depressed about the whole thing. Will I be able to build up to swimming more lengths or do I just have lung damage? I thought for sure I'd be able to do more since I have been exercising every day for four weeks...

 

[Jeana]

For the last month or so, I have been walking a mile a day on my treadmill. It takes me between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on what speed I choose. A
<br />
<br />nyway, I went to the pool this past weekend and decided I'd swim some laps. I used to be on the swim team and even about 6-7 years ago passed the lifeguard test, which I believe was 20 laps. So, I started swimming and was only able to complete 3 lengths of the pool. And it wasn't my arms or legs that were hurting; I was just so out of breath. So, I grabbed a kickboard and kicked another 14 lengths.
<br />
<br />But I am really kind of depressed about the whole thing. Will I be able to build up to swimming more lengths or do I just have lung damage? I thought for sure I'd be able to do more since I have been exercising every day for four weeks...

 

[Gnome]

Take this for what is worth for I am a Mom of CF kids. But I used to do Triathlons and I was once able to swim 2000m. But I had kids and fallen away from the pool. And now I probably wouldn't be able to do that many laps either because swimming is really hard and if you don't do it regularily you lose it. Maybe having CF lung damage made it harder but swimming distance is hard task in general.

I might of only gotten in 3 laps myself the last time I tried about 2 years ago. I can't remember exact numbers of laps but it was brutal. I still swim but right now my swimming time is spent watching my kids so they don't drown.

 

[Gnome]

Take this for what is worth for I am a Mom of CF kids. But I used to do Triathlons and I was once able to swim 2000m. But I had kids and fallen away from the pool. And now I probably wouldn't be able to do that many laps either because swimming is really hard and if you don't do it regularily you lose it. Maybe having CF lung damage made it harder but swimming distance is hard task in general.

I might of only gotten in 3 laps myself the last time I tried about 2 years ago. I can't remember exact numbers of laps but it was brutal. I still swim but right now my swimming time is spent watching my kids so they don't drown.

 

[Gnome]

Take this for what is worth for I am a Mom of CF kids. But I used to do Triathlons and I was once able to swim 2000m. But I had kids and fallen away from the pool. And now I probably wouldn't be able to do that many laps either because swimming is really hard and if you don't do it regularily you lose it. Maybe having CF lung damage made it harder but swimming distance is hard task in general.

I might of only gotten in 3 laps myself the last time I tried about 2 years ago. I can't remember exact numbers of laps but it was brutal. I still swim but right now my swimming time is spent watching my kids so they don't drown.

 

[Gnome]

Take this for what is worth for I am a Mom of CF kids. But I used to do Triathlons and I was once able to swim 2000m. But I had kids and fallen away from the pool. And now I probably wouldn't be able to do that many laps either because swimming is really hard and if you don't do it regularily you lose it. Maybe having CF lung damage made it harder but swimming distance is hard task in general.

I might of only gotten in 3 laps myself the last time I tried about 2 years ago. I can't remember exact numbers of laps but it was brutal. I still swim but right now my swimming time is spent watching my kids so they don't drown.

 

[Gnome]

Take this for what is worth for I am a Mom of CF kids. But I used to do Triathlons and I was once able to swim 2000m. But I had kids and fallen away from the pool. And now I probably wouldn't be able to do that many laps either because swimming is really hard and if you don't do it regularily you lose it. Maybe having CF lung damage made it harder but swimming distance is hard task in general.
<br />
<br />I might of only gotten in 3 laps myself the last time I tried about 2 years ago. I can't remember exact numbers of laps but it was brutal. I still swim but right now my swimming time is spent watching my kids so they don't drown.

 

[BaylorCrew07]

That's funny you mention this, I was talking about this exact thing w/ my friend on out bikeride yesterday!

We were both competitive swimmers for 10+ years, and she was saying when she got back in the pool she could only do like 3 laps. Swimming takes a lot longer to build up endurance back, as opposed to running (just my personal opinion).

I recently started training for a triathlon, and getting back in the pool has been brutal lol. My shoulders are on fire after about 5 laps. 10 years ago, I would swim about 20,000 yards/day (in 2 practices/day)...now I'm lucky to get in 1200 yards...haha. It is depressing when I think about it, but it did take time to even build up to the 1200. Also, it is really good for your lungs, and you can even do breath control sets (breathe every 3, 5, 7, 9 strokes) to strengthen them.

Even with exercising every day, swimming is SO completely different that it will take a while to get back up to what you were before. I would just keep at and give it time, I'm sure you'll be able to work back up and get your endurance up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Depending on lung damage, maybe not back up to where you were before (I know I'll never be where I was at before), but I'm sure you will be able to build up. I agree 100% with Gnome - swimming is a hard task in and of itself, let alone adding the CF component.

Best of luck! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[BaylorCrew07]

That's funny you mention this, I was talking about this exact thing w/ my friend on out bikeride yesterday!

We were both competitive swimmers for 10+ years, and she was saying when she got back in the pool she could only do like 3 laps. Swimming takes a lot longer to build up endurance back, as opposed to running (just my personal opinion).

I recently started training for a triathlon, and getting back in the pool has been brutal lol. My shoulders are on fire after about 5 laps. 10 years ago, I would swim about 20,000 yards/day (in 2 practices/day)...now I'm lucky to get in 1200 yards...haha. It is depressing when I think about it, but it did take time to even build up to the 1200. Also, it is really good for your lungs, and you can even do breath control sets (breathe every 3, 5, 7, 9 strokes) to strengthen them.

Even with exercising every day, swimming is SO completely different that it will take a while to get back up to what you were before. I would just keep at and give it time, I'm sure you'll be able to work back up and get your endurance up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Depending on lung damage, maybe not back up to where you were before (I know I'll never be where I was at before), but I'm sure you will be able to build up. I agree 100% with Gnome - swimming is a hard task in and of itself, let alone adding the CF component.

Best of luck! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[BaylorCrew07]

That's funny you mention this, I was talking about this exact thing w/ my friend on out bikeride yesterday!

We were both competitive swimmers for 10+ years, and she was saying when she got back in the pool she could only do like 3 laps. Swimming takes a lot longer to build up endurance back, as opposed to running (just my personal opinion).

I recently started training for a triathlon, and getting back in the pool has been brutal lol. My shoulders are on fire after about 5 laps. 10 years ago, I would swim about 20,000 yards/day (in 2 practices/day)...now I'm lucky to get in 1200 yards...haha. It is depressing when I think about it, but it did take time to even build up to the 1200. Also, it is really good for your lungs, and you can even do breath control sets (breathe every 3, 5, 7, 9 strokes) to strengthen them.

Even with exercising every day, swimming is SO completely different that it will take a while to get back up to what you were before. I would just keep at and give it time, I'm sure you'll be able to work back up and get your endurance up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Depending on lung damage, maybe not back up to where you were before (I know I'll never be where I was at before), but I'm sure you will be able to build up. I agree 100% with Gnome - swimming is a hard task in and of itself, let alone adding the CF component.

Best of luck! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[BaylorCrew07]

That's funny you mention this, I was talking about this exact thing w/ my friend on out bikeride yesterday!

We were both competitive swimmers for 10+ years, and she was saying when she got back in the pool she could only do like 3 laps. Swimming takes a lot longer to build up endurance back, as opposed to running (just my personal opinion).

I recently started training for a triathlon, and getting back in the pool has been brutal lol. My shoulders are on fire after about 5 laps. 10 years ago, I would swim about 20,000 yards/day (in 2 practices/day)...now I'm lucky to get in 1200 yards...haha. It is depressing when I think about it, but it did take time to even build up to the 1200. Also, it is really good for your lungs, and you can even do breath control sets (breathe every 3, 5, 7, 9 strokes) to strengthen them.

Even with exercising every day, swimming is SO completely different that it will take a while to get back up to what you were before. I would just keep at and give it time, I'm sure you'll be able to work back up and get your endurance up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Depending on lung damage, maybe not back up to where you were before (I know I'll never be where I was at before), but I'm sure you will be able to build up. I agree 100% with Gnome - swimming is a hard task in and of itself, let alone adding the CF component.

Best of luck! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[BaylorCrew07]

That's funny you mention this, I was talking about this exact thing w/ my friend on out bikeride yesterday!
<br />
<br />We were both competitive swimmers for 10+ years, and she was saying when she got back in the pool she could only do like 3 laps. Swimming takes a lot longer to build up endurance back, as opposed to running (just my personal opinion).
<br />
<br />I recently started training for a triathlon, and getting back in the pool has been brutal lol. My shoulders are on fire after about 5 laps. 10 years ago, I would swim about 20,000 yards/day (in 2 practices/day)...now I'm lucky to get in 1200 yards...haha. It is depressing when I think about it, but it did take time to even build up to the 1200. Also, it is really good for your lungs, and you can even do breath control sets (breathe every 3, 5, 7, 9 strokes) to strengthen them.
<br />
<br />Even with exercising every day, swimming is SO completely different that it will take a while to get back up to what you were before. I would just keep at and give it time, I'm sure you'll be able to work back up and get your endurance up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Depending on lung damage, maybe not back up to where you were before (I know I'll never be where I was at before), but I'm sure you will be able to build up. I agree 100% with Gnome - swimming is a hard task in and of itself, let alone adding the CF component.
<br />
<br />Best of luck! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[KarenEliz]

Swimming is completley different than walking/running. Don't get discouraged. I started swimming again in October, I always felt my best while swimming and after the birth of my boys I really wanted to get back in shape. It took me a while to get my berathing pattern down. I swim 3x a week. I started with a lap of freestyle, then a lap of breast stroke (to catch my breath). Then I would increase my freestyle laps when I felt I could. I'd say it took me a month or two to swim 1/4 mile freestyle without getting out of breath. Now I don't count laps, I just swim for 20-30 minutes and if I ever I need to catch my breath I do a lap of breast stroke. In Jan after swimming for 4 months my FVC went from 70% (June - 6mo post pardum) to 98%. My doctors couldn't believe the change and asked me what I was doing. I said I started swimming for the first time since highschool. And I really concentrate on my breathing when in the pool. My doctor thinks that when swimming you really workout your lungs because you are taking deep breaths in. I go back to clinic the end of this month to see if my numbers are still as high. But I do feel like I have much more energy. Stick with it. Just take your time building up to your goal. You'll definately feel better in the long run.

 

[KarenEliz]

Swimming is completley different than walking/running. Don't get discouraged. I started swimming again in October, I always felt my best while swimming and after the birth of my boys I really wanted to get back in shape. It took me a while to get my berathing pattern down. I swim 3x a week. I started with a lap of freestyle, then a lap of breast stroke (to catch my breath). Then I would increase my freestyle laps when I felt I could. I'd say it took me a month or two to swim 1/4 mile freestyle without getting out of breath. Now I don't count laps, I just swim for 20-30 minutes and if I ever I need to catch my breath I do a lap of breast stroke. In Jan after swimming for 4 months my FVC went from 70% (June - 6mo post pardum) to 98%. My doctors couldn't believe the change and asked me what I was doing. I said I started swimming for the first time since highschool. And I really concentrate on my breathing when in the pool. My doctor thinks that when swimming you really workout your lungs because you are taking deep breaths in. I go back to clinic the end of this month to see if my numbers are still as high. But I do feel like I have much more energy. Stick with it. Just take your time building up to your goal. You'll definately feel better in the long run.

 

[KarenEliz]

Swimming is completley different than walking/running. Don't get discouraged. I started swimming again in October, I always felt my best while swimming and after the birth of my boys I really wanted to get back in shape. It took me a while to get my berathing pattern down. I swim 3x a week. I started with a lap of freestyle, then a lap of breast stroke (to catch my breath). Then I would increase my freestyle laps when I felt I could. I'd say it took me a month or two to swim 1/4 mile freestyle without getting out of breath. Now I don't count laps, I just swim for 20-30 minutes and if I ever I need to catch my breath I do a lap of breast stroke. In Jan after swimming for 4 months my FVC went from 70% (June - 6mo post pardum) to 98%. My doctors couldn't believe the change and asked me what I was doing. I said I started swimming for the first time since highschool. And I really concentrate on my breathing when in the pool. My doctor thinks that when swimming you really workout your lungs because you are taking deep breaths in. I go back to clinic the end of this month to see if my numbers are still as high. But I do feel like I have much more energy. Stick with it. Just take your time building up to your goal. You'll definately feel better in the long run.

 

[KarenEliz]

Swimming is completley different than walking/running. Don't get discouraged. I started swimming again in October, I always felt my best while swimming and after the birth of my boys I really wanted to get back in shape. It took me a while to get my berathing pattern down. I swim 3x a week. I started with a lap of freestyle, then a lap of breast stroke (to catch my breath). Then I would increase my freestyle laps when I felt I could. I'd say it took me a month or two to swim 1/4 mile freestyle without getting out of breath. Now I don't count laps, I just swim for 20-30 minutes and if I ever I need to catch my breath I do a lap of breast stroke. In Jan after swimming for 4 months my FVC went from 70% (June - 6mo post pardum) to 98%. My doctors couldn't believe the change and asked me what I was doing. I said I started swimming for the first time since highschool. And I really concentrate on my breathing when in the pool. My doctor thinks that when swimming you really workout your lungs because you are taking deep breaths in. I go back to clinic the end of this month to see if my numbers are still as high. But I do feel like I have much more energy. Stick with it. Just take your time building up to your goal. You'll definately feel better in the long run.

 

[KarenEliz]

Swimming is completley different than walking/running. Don't get discouraged. I started swimming again in October, I always felt my best while swimming and after the birth of my boys I really wanted to get back in shape. It took me a while to get my berathing pattern down. I swim 3x a week. I started with a lap of freestyle, then a lap of breast stroke (to catch my breath). Then I would increase my freestyle laps when I felt I could. I'd say it took me a month or two to swim 1/4 mile freestyle without getting out of breath. Now I don't count laps, I just swim for 20-30 minutes and if I ever I need to catch my breath I do a lap of breast stroke. In Jan after swimming for 4 months my FVC went from 70% (June - 6mo post pardum) to 98%. My doctors couldn't believe the change and asked me what I was doing. I said I started swimming for the first time since highschool. And I really concentrate on my breathing when in the pool. My doctor thinks that when swimming you really workout your lungs because you are taking deep breaths in. I go back to clinic the end of this month to see if my numbers are still as high. But I do feel like I have much more energy. Stick with it. Just take your time building up to your goal. You'll definately feel better in the long run.