A little background about myself. I am 47 years old. Worked in a factory for 19 years that manufactured non-dairy creamer. Might be good in your coffee, but not in your lungs. I've since been diagnosed with mild asthma. Had a pulmonary function test done and technician asked me when I quit smoking. I've NEVER smoked but according to the test results, I have the lung capacity of a 78 year old. Signed up for Ironman 70.3 next June 2018. I've no problem on the bike or the run with regards to breathing, however the swim is probably going to kill me! My wife is a swim instructor at our local YMCA. She is also signed up for the Ironman 70.3. She tells me that my freestyle form is great.
My problem is, I can't seem to get enough air while swimming. I can maybe do 50yds before I have to stop to get a good breath. She tells me I just have to keep going until I get my breathing down, similar to a warm-up run. I've thought about doing some freestyle until I feel like I need a break and then doing sidestroke until I feel like I can go back to freestyle, but I think this is going to be too slow. Can anyone else with asthma who has done an Ironman, give me some assistance? I'm confident I can do the swim once I figure out my breathing. Would greatly appreciate ANY and ALL advice.
My problem is, I can't seem to get enough air while swimming. I can maybe do 50yds before I have to stop to get a good breath. She tells me I just have to keep going until I get my breathing down, similar to a warm-up run. I've thought about doing some freestyle until I feel like I need a break and then doing sidestroke until I feel like I can go back to freestyle, but I think this is going to be too slow. Can anyone else with asthma who has done an Ironman, give me some assistance? I'm confident I can do the swim once I figure out my breathing. Would greatly appreciate ANY and ALL advice.