Newbie in California

[onelongrunner]

I have been lurking on here for a couple of weeks and have really enjoyed all of the great information. I am about to do a trip to Maui and was excited to do some freediving. I did a little bit a few years back, but never got more than about 5M...was really just enjoying the scenery, not trying to go deep.

However, this time I am getting a little bit more methodical about it and trying to work on my relaxation and apnea so that I will have a bette rtime on the trip. So....here's the progress...

A few days ago, I got into the pool and relaxed, breathed, etc and went for it. I got about 50 seconds...bloody pitiful. I decided I would try to do the table (the one where you increase the length of the hold) and actually got up to 2:18 after about 5-6 holds.

This morning I went out and did it again and was able to comfortably go to almost 2 mins on my first hold. I made it up to 3:20 by the end and was simply blown away by how quickly one can improve. It didn't even get uncomfortable until about 20 seconds from the end (counted...slowly).

Given this rapid improvement, anyone have any idea how long it should take to train up to 4 mins? I am an avid runner and thus in good shape, BUT...I also know that there is a diminishing return the better you get.

ANy other recommendations? (Aside from find a partner...this is limiting me substantially as it is making me VERY conservative in how far I push). btw...anyone from the SF Bay Area looking for a partner?

[monkeyhatfork]

take a course!!!!, they will have you at 4:00 and up almost instantly Performance Freediving | home | teaches out of monterey a few times a year, best money you'll ever spend for freediving, make sure if you are doing statics in water to have a spotter and learn the safety protocal.

[Erik]

I'd say you're a 4min breatholder already- you just don't know it yet! Do some dry statics on your back on the couch. Double the breathe up after each hold ie: 1st hold is 1 minute- breathe up for 2 min. Next hold might be 2 minutes- breathe up for 4 after that before the next one. Usually your 4th or 5th hold will be your max for the day.
There are other methods- use what works for you.
Be careful in the water- make sure there's a spotter.

Maybe post a thread in the California section to get some buddies?
Cheers and welcome,
Erik

[onelongrunner]

Excellent input. Thanks to both of you. Yes, I imagine that I could go 4:00, but the 3:20 was with relatively little discomfort. I will look into their programs and perhaps sign up for the next Monterey course. WOuld certainly be great to get up over 4:00...seems like forever, but I know it's mediocre.

Cheers.

[Erik]

Originally Posted by onelongrunner

Excellent input. Thanks to both of you. Yes, I imagine that I could go 4:00, but the 3:20 was with relatively little discomfort. I will look into their programs and perhaps sign up for the next Monterey course. WOuld certainly be great to get up over 4:00...seems like forever, but I know it's mediocre.

Cheers.

And I don't mean that your restricted at 4 minutes, just that at the moment you are capable of 4. Most anyone can do a 5min static if determined, and if you're a runner then you have a headstart.

[onelongrunner]

Hard to imagine being able to go 5 minutes...I guess the question I have is this: Is it more a function of deeper relaxation (ie controlling HR) or increased lung capacity. Which are being trained using the tables?

[Erik]

Size of lungs has very little to do with it. Your fitness level and ability to relax are paramount IMO. Some guys are doing some really deep dives with very little air in their lungs- on purpose.
You can increase the air in your lungs with pack-stretching and packing (search here). Be careful with packing too!
Mental game, this one 8^)

[onelongrunner]

I am so excited...After starting very recently, I have seen massive improvements. I am now up to 4:15 for static with relatively minimal discomfort. That is to say I think I could have gone 30 seconds longer but I didn't want to test my partner's CPR skills...certainly could have gone :15 longer.

I hope this doesn't sound self-congratulatory...my reason for posting this is this: It's freaking exciting to see such massive improvements in such a short time (two weeks???). I have competed in so many sports over the years and to just get to a decent level it takes months, even years. Now, let me say that there are plenty of folks who can go far longer than I can, but I guess I see this as the equivalent of an 8 minute mile or so....and that too me longer to accomplish than two weeks, that's for sure.

It's kind of wild to consider it a sport when the point of static is to relax...now THAT is my kind of sport!!!

Thanks for everyone's help and support...great board here!!!

[Erik]

Very cool stuff! Now some more info... you probably eat well etc seeing you're a runner, but in any case, make sure you eat well and take some extra anti-oxidants. Breath holding like this creates lots of free radicals, so get some grape seeds or blueberries in you.
Also, like any sport where you are pushing limits, you need rest days or you'll get damaged and burnt out- just like running.

There's soooo much to this sport if you want to start digging into the different aspects of it- physical, mental, spiritual, for improving your abilities or your life... there is loads of info on the forums here.

[onelongrunner]

Erik. I think you are right about the burn out factor being a very real possibility and/or at least diminishing returns (innevitable). One of the things I have been doing is using this as an opportunity to relax after work. I come home, grab one of the kids and head over to the pool and use this as an opportunity to meditate. I am doing mostly O2 tables and find the breath up intervals VERY relaxing but also the hold intervals as well. I come back after 25 minutes a whole new person, ready to face the evning.

Now when I say kids...I mean teens and though not the perfect spotter/buddy, it's also part of why I have been pretty conservative in how far I push myself. They do konw CPR, but I'd rather not count on that.

As for food...I am a vegitarian and eat pretty well, but the point about anti-oxidants is well taken. Thanks...