How do you know when to stop?

[lindseyp]

Hi all, I am very passionate about freediving but a beginner to actually doing it. A year ago I could do 2 minutes, but kept forgetting/getting lazy to practise my breath hold and it's slipped to less than half that - I am now starting up again to surpass my previous time as letting it slip is a big regret of mine; I really want to be able to at least double that eventually!

Anyway, the thing is I of course hate the feeling. I really struggle to get my mind off the feeling, and end up not enjoying what I'm doing. So, when do you guys stop? I get contractions etc, but it's just...the burn, you know? But should I be fighting through that in order to improve? Am I not going to increase if I end the hold before I really, really, really need air? Because I believe that's why I slipped before - it was at the point where I found it aversive because I knew it was going to suck when I got further into the hold, if you know what I mean.

So: how do you know how far to push yourself, and when to stop fighting the urge and breathe? What is most effective for improving - pushing through it how much?
Thanks guys, I'd really appreciate some advice here.

 

[HoL]

thanks for posting this. You've summed up my same concerns very concisely and probably better than I. ;o) I just don't know if I'm being a wuss by giving up at 2' and change, or will that feeling move slowly further down the time line as our static time get better? Will it get easier or do I need to nut up (sorry for the phrase) and push thru the "burn" as the OP puts it??

HELP US NEWBIES!! lol

 

[Bill]

At last a simple problem that even I can handle. Anyone can hold their breath for ten seconds. Every day you add one second. Any day that you miss, try again tomorrow. After one year you are over six minutes and you know what it takes to keep going.

It's not quite that simple. Somewhere in there you will have to do warmups or more training.

 

[miguel-van]

Reading your post, lindseyp, there where imo too much words such as: fighting and struggling and pushing...

Freediving should be fun! So my 2ct advice: RELAX!

 

[sgnips]

I [...] end up not enjoying what I'm doing.

the one thing you have to do is actually enjoying what you're doing

try this:
1) throw away you stopwatch (or forget it at home)
2) make your apnea and breath again as soon as you feel you need to

once you realize you are holding your breath longer than before, check it out bringing your stopwatch (or buying a new one if you threw it for real:t)

anytime, look at yourself and FEEL your body, your lungs, your feeling during the hold
anytime, try to remember what worked well and what not, then try to replicate what worked well
it might be focusing your attention on something, or it might be NOT focusing or something else again: find it

also, mental training at home make wonders if you apply it to your pool work

you might manage more than 4 minutes this way, the most important thing is to care not for some specific performance, just enjoying it

 

[Fondueset]

I am extremely, very, almost never, rarely in the mood to practice static apnea. At those times, which is nearly always, I don't.
I go diving, practice no fins and monofin in the pool, take pictures, sneak up on stuff, line dive for depth when I can. Those things are all fun. Hardly ever is static apnea fun for me.

As indicated in some of these posts - just set the bar at your comfort level rather than at what you can absolutely tolerate. You'll see progress without being miserable.

 

[lindseyp]

Thanks so much, guys!

sgnips, I completely agree about how it's to be enjoyed. But I was worried that if I didn't push to the...unenjoyment (lol) it wouldn't have any effect. So it's a big relief to be told I still can improve without putting myself off like last time. That is one of my biggest struggles - when I feel the burn, I really, really, really struggle to focus on anything but that feeling. I try to distract myself, or listen to music, or focus on something else, or even blank my mind entirely...rarely works. So, I'm gonna get to work on what you've advised (plus research techniques to not focus on the burn!)

fondueset, I know what you mean! I'm currently living in Bermuda for several months, so luckily on my days off I'm planning on getting to work on breath holding when I can be underwater and...you know, actually want to push through the burn! Haha! But usually I live in England so I generally try to practise static on land, just to progress, for those moments when I can then put it to work, you know?

But yes, thanks so much for the advice everyone! It's a huge relief to learn I can progress if I continue how I would like to, rather than feeling like I have to push through and and feel horrible, when I absolutely love being underwater and want to be able to for longer when I can. Thanks again. Gonna put this to test tomorrow - taking my new underwater camera case to visit some fishes and reefs for the first time. One thing I'd like to make a habit while I can.

 

[Fondueset]

Lindseyp - a good pranayama practice might get you going without undue ardor. - Once you back home that is. In Bermuda I'd just be diving.

 

[lindseyp]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll definately look into that!

 

[Simos]

Hi Lindsey, give me a shout when you are back home if you want, we train in London and Surrey so you could join us so that you can train with others. For the time being I wouldn't 'push through' anything, just dive with a competent buddy and enjoy it and come to the surface while you are still comfortable - you'll still improve lots as long as you focus on being as relaxed as possible.

Never dive alone and have fun ;-)
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