High-maintenance freediver - max-attempts take too long

[Apneaddict]

I have a dry static PB of over 5:30

The problem is that it takes me over an hr. of tables to get to the point where I can do anything over 5:00 and it takes me over :45 mins into a table to get to over 4:00 mins.

My first couple of breathholds result in a 2:15 to 2:30 time and lots of contractions... after an hr of tables, I do not get contractions until after 4:00 and it is much more relaxed / peaceful. I do need to delay my contractions, as they eat up a lot of O2.

In dynamics... I have to spend a good :25 mins in the water before a max attempt and balance getting too cold with being warmed up from my breath-hold standpoint.

I envy those no-warm up guys... how do I get to be one!

 

[efattah]

First of all in the pool you can get away with way fewer warmups in static.

From experience, dry static is much harder than wet static. I can rarely push a dry static to the max, the contractions are just too intense. Like you said, it takes 1hr+ of moderate holds to build up resistance. In the pool, without much training, I can usually get a max in on breath hold #3. After a few sessions, I can get a max in on breath hold #2. I breathe with my snorkel, rest 5 minutes, do one static (circa 5'30"), then rest 5 minutes, then go for max.

Dynamic is the most unpleasant of all freediving events. This is because to do a good dynamic requires that you start the swim with an extremely high level of CO2. Basically no breathe-up at all. You're looking to get contractions as early as possible during the swim and have them continue the whole time. Not pleasant and there is no pleasant way I know of to do a good swim. Long warm ups and over breathing produce enjoyable swims, but of far less distance (i.e. early blackouts).

 

[Apneaddict]

I also find that if I do too many wet statics before a max-attempt that it feels that I'm using too much energy up and it's best to start the max-attempt sooner.

Re: dynamics, is the goal of the early contractions to jump-start the diving reflex?

I can feel when the reflex kicks in... and it normally takes me a couple of good underwater (bottom of pool) breathholds to get it to take hold.

Contractions tend to use of my O2 quickly and make it hard to keep a good pace to the kicks and makes it harder to wait out the glides (I tend to speed up). I guess it's just practice to improve relaxing while contracting, during a dynamic.

I really wish you had told me some secret that would make dynamics both easier and more pleasurable. I think you just made my life a little bit more miserable. :ycard

Oh well... no pain, no gain.
Besides, if it was easy... everyone would be able to do it.

 

[Simos]

Interesting thread, unfortunately just confirms my thoughts/experiences too so far. In static I also need a fairly long prep (usually 5-6 holds) but it's because I don't cope well with high CO2 and contractions (nor am I too interested to do so lol). With a longer prep I can delay contractions and have very relaxed statics.

Just subscribing in the hope that someone suggests something for DYN. I haven't found any way so far of making DYN contraction free for any decent distance and I don't want to experiment with HV

 

[Simos]

If you want to speed things up a bit for dry static, you can substitute the prep holds with a few FRC/empty lung holds and just do a couple of full lung prep holds. Should have more or less the same result but will take less time and should leave you fresher for the max

 

[neurodoc]

Eric, I think your explanation does encourage me, in a painful sort of way! I get lots of contractions, early, when doing dynamics, and thought that meant I was just not experienced enough or lacking fitness/technique in some way. Now I just have to learn how to handle them better, and how to tell when I'm done for and must breathe again!

 

[potapnik]

Hi,
Iam one of those no-warm up guys. My contractions during sta starts around 2:00 and continue to the end, for 7:30min about 150contractions. I dont think they consume O2, I actualy think they help to save some oxygen. you just have to handle them and be relaxed even during contractions. when you would like to start with no warm ups, you should work on your CO2 tolerance first. CO2 tables or some fast interval dynamic. During dynamic I dont realize my contractions, I know I have them, but Iam focusing on different things, so they are not a problem during max attempt. Sometimes they are annoing while doing some dynamic CO2 training - and it is a sign that Iam doing it well. Also you have to get used to do it without warm up, so dont expect any numbers when you start, just continue and results will come.

 

[Simos]

Hi,
Iam one of those no-warm up guys. My contractions during sta starts around 2:00 and continue to the end, for 7:30min about 150contractions. I dont think they consume O2, I actualy think they help to save some oxygen. you just have to handle them and be relaxed even during contractions. when you would like to start with no warm ups, you should work on your CO2 tolerance first. CO2 tables or some fast interval dynamic. During dynamic I dont realize my contractions, I know I have them, but Iam focusing on different things, so they are not a problem during max attempt. Sometimes they are annoing while doing some dynamic CO2 training - and it is a sign that Iam doing it well. Also you have to get used to do it without warm up, so dont expect any numbers when you start, just continue and results will come.

I was thinking the same but as i have no experience with no warmup, I hadn't posted. But for sure CO2 tolerance is important but also even more importantly would be to just start with no warmup and have no expectations of any numbers for a while.

There was one more thing i was thinking but it's just a thought: maybe it would really speed up your warmup if you did a more extreme CO2 'table' eg x min hold, 2 breaths, x min hold, 2 breaths and so on. Once you are loaded with CO2, take a few breaths, do an empty lung hold and then normal breathing for 3-4 mins and max attempt. Just an idea, will try it in practice soon and report back...