swimming laps?

[Becky]

I'm not entirely sure where to post this, or why I of all people am actually thinking about swimming....

....but here I am. What advice or suggestions would you have for someone who's thinking of swimming, who hasn't swam in at least 10 years, but always managed to pass the camp swim test and is pretty sure that she can make it the length of the pool without drowning?

I know that I'm going to have to work on breathing and getting that rhythm down again. I know that I have no idea what good pool etiquette is. I know that it's free with my new Y membership and I have to try at least once.

DFL is better than DNS, right?

[crazycanuck]

Swimming Swimming over the bounty seas..weeeee

A few thoughts:
Pick up a copy of Total Immersion & perhaps have a peek at thier website for a course near you. Another book-Janet Evans' Total Swimming.

If you have a swiss ball, thera bands and a bit of space, you can do some good strength exercises for swimming. (another option is visiting a pilates studio & getting some individual instruction for specific muscles areas.)

Is there a masters swim group near you?

Perhaps do open water swims as a lead up to the tri?

I've decided tri's aren't my thing as I ended up seriously peeved at the swimmers on the one I did the other weekend. Grrr...I'm happy w open water swims where there's a rule you NEVER breaststroke around or near a buoy!AGHGHGH...

[Becky]

The Y does have a Master's group....what exactly is that? I just assumed it was people who'd been competitively swimming half their lives...

That Total Immersion stuff looks interesting. Thanks for the tip!

As of now, I have no intention to actually train for swimming or do a triathalon. I'm just looking to add some more variety to my winter workouts.

[roadie gal]

Does your Y have swim lessons? I've found that lessons are generally worth every cent you spend on them. If you just want a new workout then one or 2 lessons might be enough to give you a base to go from.

[Becky]

Yup, they do. I'm still wrapping my brain around the monthly cost of a gym membership. Once I'm at peace with that, swim lessons may be easier to swallow.

(I made the decision to join the Y last week and, now that it's time to actually do it, I'm second-guessing myself and how much I'll actually use it )

[crazycanuck]

Ok, silly q. Do pools in the US have dedicated signs by each lane stating the lap speed for each? Also, do most pools put a directional diagram on each sign so people know which way to swim?

I've been to quite a few pools (we don't have the Y here..we have indoor or outdoor pools, some in a rec centre- in most city councils) in Australia & all of them have these signs.

Just wondering...

[Selkie]

CC - Depends on the pool mgt, I think. I swim at two County-run pools---one uses lane speed markers and while the other does not, that facility is decidedly more low key, friendly. More type-A type swimmers and mgt at the other pool.

Even though etiquette (safety) signs/diagrams are posted, most new people ignore them. Therefore, it's up to experienced swimmers to brief the new folks on the rules (the guards can't be bothered). Circle swimming is counterclockwise; one should ask before getting in a lane, particularly if there is more than one person swimming in that lane; people should get into lanes w/others of comparable speed; etc.

[Becky]

Well, I did it. I managed to thrash about in a controlled manner for 20 minutes and not drown or kick anyone.

I did succeed in breaking my 10-year-old googles in the first 10 seconds, so I didn't put my face in very much (contact lenses). I think I did ok with breathing- both sides no less!- when I did put my face in. It took awhile to coordinate the whole exhaling and inhaling thing.

I think that my new goggles and I will go again Thursday

Thanks for all the tips and support, ladies! Feel free to keep 'em coming!

[Melalvai]

Good job Becky!!

Have fun goggle shopping! I like barracuda ultimate goggles-- but everyone is different.

There's another thread about goggles in fact.
I am a fairly novice swimmer too and I found Mr. Smooth's articles & animations really helpful.

Another thing that has been helpful is when I can get my daughter to watch me swim and give me feedback on my form!

Just now I'm feeling a little frustrated because all I know to do is go to the pool and swim laps. I don't really know any stroke other than free, and I don't know how to do drills, so I just do laps, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. I go three times a week and I just don't know whether I'm making any progress. I don't really know how to tell if I'm getting faster or stronger, without someone else timing me.

[Becky]

Mel, what a great site- thanks for sharing! I'll be watching for responses to your post- I foresee myself being in the same boat.

So far, my biggest issue in the pool is endurance. One or two lengths and I'm breathing hard enough to need a break....so much for all that cycling fitness. Speaking of which, is a lap considered to be one length of the pool or two? I keep seeing different definitions online.

Right now, I'm struggling with motivating myself to get in the pool next week when I go back to work. I'm self-conscious and I know I'm going to have to share a lane and that freaks me out. I've been off this week, so I've been able to swim while others are at work.

[flash]

Hi Becky! Just get out and DO IT

Other replies give good advice for working on technique, but for now, you're absolutely right about DNS being worse than not trying at all. Not only worse, but not FUN!

When you find your way to a pool, start nice and easy. It's ok to swim a length, or two, or what ever you can do comfortably, take 10 or 20 or 40 or 60 seconds rest, then do that distance again, rest .... and so on. After just a few sessions, you'll find that you are swimming longer and resting less. If you know how to do different strokes, then mix it up a bit to keep from being bored. You'll be building fitness and confidence while following up on technique advice from the other posts.

Have fun & let us know how the swimming goes!

[Becky]

Thanks, Flash You are so right!

I noticed, while thumbing through the latest issue of Triathlete magazine, that SportCount is offering 15% off on their website with the code "HOT4TRI". I think that a lap counter is going to be my reward if I swim at least twice a week during the month of January