The Masters Swimming Thread!

[Kimmyt]

I LOATHE breast-stroke! I really think there are two types of swimmers out there, natural breast-strokers, and natural free-stylers. Breast for me is completely painful and an exercise in futility. No matter how much I focus on form and technique, after about one lap my hips and knees have extreme pain. I've always had tight hips (certain yoga poses were torture) so it doesn't surprise me. A friend of mine is almost as fast in breast as I am in free, her body just 'gets it' more.

Class last night was good, except I decided I need The Boy to not be in my lane. I got a cramp and had to stop mid-25 sprint and he stopped too, and for some reason it just pissed me off. Do your workout, leave me alone, I'll figure it out myself, I've been doing it for a year anyway!

I think he was confused as to why I snapped at him, but I guess because last year I did swim all by myself, I realized I in some ways resent him being there with me. I like that he's taking the course, but I spend all day with him most of the time, so it's nice to at least be in seperate lanes for swim class.

And I feel kind of mean for feeling that way... he thinks I just don't like that he can keep up with me (to which I think, yes, you're right, in some ways I want to tromp you in class, but if you're in a different lane as me and you keep up I don't care, I just don't want you always on my back, I want something to myself).

[HillSlugger]

I understand your feelings. You want something that's yours and now you need to share swimming. Add in the "we're never apart" feeling and you have a recipe for resentment. By swimming in separate lanes at least you can concentrate on doing your own thing. That's probably a good compromise.

I swam 1500m this morning. I had planned on doing another 100m but I seem to have tweaked something in my right shoulder.

[Running Mommy]

Yep, lastnight I took quite a beating- literally.
The outdoor pool has nice wide lanes, perfect for sharing, but no lights in the pool, so we are stuck in the indoor pool for the evening session.
The indoor pools lanes are a bit narrower. For a seasoned swimmer it's not that big of a deal, but get a novice in your lane and WATCH OUT!

I was swimming with a girl who was a drifter. She was a very nice girl, but she drifted all over the place as she swam. Despite my hugging the lane lines and whacking my hand repeatedly (YOUCH!) on the "rope" to try to stay as much to my side as possible, she hit me head on twice. It made for a very stressful session. Not only was I trying to work on my stroke, but I was trying to avoid a collision at the same time.

I was starting to feel like I was in an Ironman swim. Not only did we have the head ons, but I was kicked and whacked a couple of times as well.

Like I said, she was a nice girl, she apologized for whacking me, but it was stressful. I mean I found myself sighting in the pool to see where she was as if I was in open water looking for a bouy!

So all in all it wasn't such a good masters night for me. I didn't feel like I accomplished anything other than getting out alive. I may need to switch back to morning masters...

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi All,
Well, since you guys are the only ones that "get it", I have to share.

I had a smokin' OWS last night. My best of the season. If I can feel that good in two weeks at Nationals, I will be so happy.

2200 in 33 mins......

Now if I could just feel that good on the run!

[Kimmyt]

Nice time! Thats what, 1:30/100 yards? Smokin!

[rocknrollgirl]

You know Kimmy, I never think in those terms outside the pool. For an OWS I always think in terms of my time over 500 or 1000 yards. Funny.

I did have a wetsuit on, so that added to some of the speed, but I just felt great. I have developed a nice cadence for my ows, and I can zone out and just cruise.

A long way from my choking, panic on the first attempt in my wetsuit in April.

[Wahine]

Hi All,
Well, since you guys are the only ones that "get it", I have to share.

I had a smokin' OWS last night. My best of the season. If I can feel that good in two weeks at Nationals, I will be so happy.

2200 in 33 mins......

Now if I could just feel that good on the run!

This is sooooooooo exciting.

[rocknrollgirl]

It is so silly, but I felt so good about it all day. It is not like I can even tell anyone. Nobody cares...and they think I am nuts anyway.


The funny part of the story is....

We are now swimming locally at a lake. My friend lives across the street from the lake. Nobody is allowed on the lake, unless you live on the lake. So my friend took us over to meet her across the street neighbors to see if we could park at their house and swim off their dock. We they have become our adoptive grandparents. They leave us bottled water on the dock while we swim. It is really cute.

Last night there was a swan in the lake. Bob, our adopted grandpa was so worried that I was going to get attacked that he sat on the dock with his pellet gun to protect us.

[Wahine]

Aaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww. That is sooooo cute.

I know what you mean about people not getting it. I used to go into work and say thing like, " I know you really don't care and may not even have a clue what I'm talking about but I swam a 1:30 100 today. Thanks for listening." Then I'd walk away. They all think I'm nuts too.

[Running Mommy]

RNR- I LOVE IT! Such nice folks!!
And the 2200 in 33?? HOLY SMOKES! Did you leave a wake???!!!

[rocknrollgirl]

RM...I do not know, but Chris said I was moving. It was just one of those days where I felt really good.
Oh please, please, please let me feel that good in Tahoe.....

OK, I am done praying now.....


(well not totally done, oh please, please, please don't let the run suck too much)

OK....done for the moment....

[Trek420]

What IS Masters?

I think it means we're old

There's a pool right near my house that does Masters swimming at a really convenient time to me but the group says they are gay/lesbian so I'm not so sure they'd want me.

I'm sure it'd be fine, just ask. I bet that they'll welcome you in and say something like "as long as you're accepting/respectful c'mon in".

As a general rule we're a friendly bunch and don't bite .... unless you're into that and ask us to. JK TE, really!

It's nearby and convenient and you'd swim more often what's not to like?

You could be the token straight gal

There's an LGBT bike club near me (Different Spokes) they have straight folk on rides and even in the club. Simple matter of if you like the riders and it's convenient for you .... whatever gets you outside and moving.

[KnottedYet]

Hey, Teigyr, what time is that swim? (maybe I could go with you?) My swimming really sux, and I do want to get better at it.

[teigyr]

Trek, thank you I never want to intrude and I'm a pretty much "live and let live" person unless I'm behind a slow person on the freeway. My judgments are by actions (ie animal abusers, etc) rather than lifestyle. Not to take this OT but your points are good and hopefully they feel the same way.

Knot, will PM you links Have a few options but the one pool is probably pretty close to you. Also wouldn't mind doing some OW swims.

And this isn't Masters related but yesterday I did a small OW swim. I remember when I had trouble going 20 strokes in the pool without resting. In OW I went up to 55, I counted on my last length! I am so far from perfect but I am getting better. I could have done more, also, but it was my last length and I didn't want to push it.

[Kimmyt]

Good night tonight at class. We did 1750, so we're getting back up there. The first few weeks of class are always builders so people don't get trampled right away. We focused on technique of the catch and pull, I was feeling good and no ankle pain. Also ran a fast 9:08/mi on the way to class! I felt gooood!