Why Do My Legs Sink No Matter How Hard I Kick?

Unstoppable With Shangrila Rendon · Aug 7, 2026 · 40m

I used to kick a lot but I was just getting exhausted.

Then I was told: “Don’t kick. Save your legs.”

So I stopped kicking… and my legs still sank.

I also heard:

- “Kick like you're kicking a soccer ball”

- “Save your legs for the bike & run”

- “Kick from your glutes” (but no one told me how)

I followed it all. Still slow and my legs continued to sink like a rock.

Next came the gear:

- “Just use a pull buoy.”

- “Get buoyant pants.”

- “You’ll wear a wetsuit on race day anyway.”

So I did. For a while, I survived & finished swims, covered the distance.

But eventually… finishing wasn’t enough.

I…