I might join a club.

[alpinerabbit]

I went to one of our local club's swim practice tonight. They have 2 swim training sessions (another free session on top of that) and 1 run session a week. All quite close to where I live (only monday swim is in another town) - so I'll check out their running session next week before I sign up....(!!)

We swam over 3 km (I slacked out on about 250 because of a massive hamstring cramp). I held up well in the slower group. I've never swum this far in my life...

[Starfish]

IWe swam over 3 km (I slacked out on about 250 because of a massive hamstring cramp). I held up well in the slower group. I've never swum this far in my life...

Hey, good for you! A personal best!

I used to be a swimmer, and I suffered from cramps (which can be kind of scary in the pool) until I realized I needed the same electrolytes, etc, as for other kinds of exercise. If you have something that works for you with running or on the bike, you might try that while swimming, to keep cramps at bay!

Good for you on the club!!

[eclectic]

Way to go on signing up w/ a club - I wish we still had one going here, I improved so much faster.

I used to get cramps when I did a heavy swim session. I looked up cramping causes and found 101 different reasons
I discovered I always got them when my muscles were fatigued. Once I started strength training more they let up (then I got a wicked one the 2nd lap out when doing a biathlon I have NO idea what caused that one)

Hope you don't get another one and if you do that you get to the root of the problem.

[alpinerabbit]

WOOT another 3.2 K today. I think I 'm signing up next week*. I want to go to one run practice.

I also got to get toys:
I already got some paddles (used them for 800 m), still need a pull buoy and I only had one cramp today :-) (they come from pushing off too hard)

we did all kinds of stuff today, sprints, butterfly kick (I passed on 100yds butterfly), paddle/buoy combos.

I can sprint 50yds in 45 seconds....

We got to swim into the sunset and had purty pink fluffy clouds coming out.

The only down side is the lengthy ride to the monday swim practice.

*I joked about signing my soul over to the devil and the club prez pointed at the swim coach in response

[Zen]

), still need a pull buoy

What are you using them for?
Could you rig something using empty bleach bottles?

[HillSlugger]

I still need a pull buoy

What are you using them for?
Could you rig something using empty bleach bottles?

Zen,

A pull buoy is a floaty thingy you hold between you thighs while swimming. With it you swim by just using your arm stroke, no kick at all. I'm actually faster swimming with the pull buoy than with my legs kicking

[alpinerabbit]

What are you using them for?
Could you rig something using empty bleach bottles?

Naah - it's not a money issue and the real stuff would be more effective.

I will go and buy one, just I don't want to accumulate useless toys before I know I will use them regularly. At my regular pool where I go alone, you can borrow buoys.

I guess it also simulates wetsuit swimming to some extent?

Some of the guys were sinkers (sorry guys, lack of body fat = loss in buoyance) were definitely faster without legwork. Fascinating, really. Apparently sinking legs slow you down and I know legwork zaps your oxygen away.

I'm all motivated.
I have my second tri in less than 2 weeks and it is much better to know you can do 3K than just one (which it will be approximately - 2.5 K downriver swim).

[Zen]

I used to be a swimmer, and I suffered from cramps (which can be kind of scary in the pool) until I realized I needed the same electrolytes, etc, as for other kinds of exercise. If you have something that works for you with running or on the bike, you might try that while swimming, to keep cramps at bay!

Good for you on the club!!

Yup.
Even though it seems counterintuitive you still experience cellular respiration while in the water. And cellular respiration requires carbohydrates, oxygen, and water!

[Wahine]

Good job Alpine. A club atmosphere would be really good for you and look at your progress already.

[teawoman]

That is cool that you are enjoying the swimming, and good that you have a club that suits your training nearby! Wow! on the improvement too! I bet that feels good!