Post by: Gattopardo on 28 August, 2008, 01:58:05 pm
I learnt when I was younger and was a poor swimmer. I could get my head under the water. Well after a few water incidents I have decided that I should learn to swim.
Can anyone recomend a course that guarantees you being able to swim?
I'm think of some one on one tuition just to give me the confidence to swim. Is this a good idea or better if its in a small group?
Any hints and tips to get the head immersion thing sorted would be really good for me.
Thanks
Post by: tiermat on 28 August, 2008, 02:13:07 pm
However your best first port of call would be your local leisure centre, they nearly all do adult learner classes, and most will do one to one tuition for a modest extra fee (most class sizes are <6 anyway)
HTH and good luck, swimming is, IMHO, one of life's key skills, like good manners and being able walk.
Post by: andygates on 28 August, 2008, 02:25:07 pm
I went to the local pool and booked a session with their adult swim instructor. Then I went away and had a few practises of my own, then booked another session, and after the third such session I was getting there.
I'd recommend the on-on-one approach. You don't have to bother with any of that "looking all back-of-the-bus" angst that you might get in a class.
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 August, 2008, 02:32:05 pm
I don't think ANY course will guarantee that.
However your best first port of call would be your local leisure centre, they nearly all do adult learner classes, and most will do one to one tuition for a modest extra fee (most class sizes are <6 anyway)
HTH and good luck, swimming is, IMHO, one of life's key skills, like good manners and being able walk.
I've looked in to some of the course and group seem to be £120-140 for six - eight week courses or around £190 for six half hour one on ones. Both seem pricey as I may not be able to get over the putting my head under water thing.
I also can't swim by myself as I panic I'll drown. Almost did a few years ago in my friends pool hence the fear now.
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 August, 2008, 02:33:42 pm
In 06 I needed to learn to swim after accepting a dare to do a triathlon (see where I ended up? Just did my first mile nonstop!).
I went to the local pool and booked a session with their adult swim instructor. Then I went away and had a few practises of my own, then booked another session, and after the third such session I was getting there.
I'd recommend the on-on-one approach. You don't have to bother with any of that "looking all back-of-the-bus" angst that you might get in a class.
That seems like a good approach unfortunatly from what I've found is that my pools are run by comapnies so don't do instructors for individual lessons but will only block book.
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 28 August, 2008, 02:39:17 pm
My problem with swimming is that I just sink, no matter what I do. Each attempt to swim involves at least one near-drowning ;D. Are there certain body types that just can't do it?
Post by: mattc on 28 August, 2008, 02:43:47 pm
You sound like you've got an even worse version of what I had.
I've looked in to some of the course and group seem to be £120-140 for six - eight week courses or around £190 for six half hour one on ones. Both seem pricey as I may not be able to get over the putting my head under water thing.
I also can't swim by myself as I panic I'll drown. Almost did a few years ago in my friends pool hence the fear now.
I had maybe 3-4 solo lessons, with lots of practice in between, and got to the point of happily swimming a length very slowly, and knowing I could build on that by just putting in the hours. I doubt this would have happened with scheduled group lessons. I don't think group teaching is any good for fixing these 'irrational' fears.
Money VERY well spent.
There MUST be some private instructors in your area that would do this - I'd recommend persevering and tracking them down. Try the phone book, local schools, phsyios, swimming/triathlon clubs, just keep making phone calls.
Post by: tiermat on 28 August, 2008, 02:46:00 pm
In order of most- to least able to float are:
teenage boys
adult females
teenage girls
adult males.
It's all about physiology, you see.
TBH the residential course may get you to be able to swim a length by the end of a week, BUT unless you keep going you will forget it in a month or so and be back to square one (a bit like those MCSE course that guarantee a pass after a week of classroom cramming). Really the best option is to find a local-ish pool that offers the training in weekly 1/2 hour or 1 hour blocks and get yourself there. Many many people are in your situation and I think it's shame.
As I a side note, I feel fortunate as I have been able to swim since an early age and managed to pass my pool life guard qualification, although it has now run out (it only lasts 3 years). TLD is now learning to swim, and she has gone from being terrified of water to looking forward to her Saturday morning trips to the pool.
Post by: Maladict on 28 August, 2008, 02:51:50 pm
Post by: bobb on 28 August, 2008, 02:58:59 pm
Can anyone recomend a course that guarantees you being able to swim?
Well, you're a mammal. So you will be able to learn to swim! I think the only thing that stops people is confidence - or rather lack of it.
Don't really have much advice as I was bunged in a pool at a very young age. I was also Essex schools champion on numerous occassions :) Like I said - the most important thing is confidence. Seriously, you are not going to drown! It would be interesting to have some stats on how many adults drown in public swimming pools. I bet it's hardly any. Just don't accept any invitations to parties from Michael Barrymore.....
Post by: tiermat on 28 August, 2008, 03:05:11 pm
It would be interesting to have some stats on how many adults drown in public swimming pools. I bet it's hardly any
Correct, the number who actually suffer from terminal apnea in public swimming pools in the UK is miniscule, but then that is probably down to the training that all pool staff MUST have (even if not employed as a life guard). From what I can remember from when I did my pool life guard training more people die of heart attacks in swimming pools that drown, and even that number is low as swimming is a low impact exercise so puts less stress on the heart (and indeed is generally recommended as the first sport a heart patient should attempt)
EDIT, the only figures I could find were for 2002, when 7 people drown in swimming pools in the UK, but that figure is not divided up into public/private pools
Post by: andygates on 28 August, 2008, 03:18:52 pm
Your issues are psychological, and getting in there with someone who supports the counter-issue (viz: swimming is something you can do and it's fun) they'll be challenged and eventually clubbed over the head with a stick made of Achievement and Win. :thumbsup:
Post by: cometworm on 28 August, 2008, 03:19:09 pm
Post by: bobb on 28 August, 2008, 03:20:03 pm
It would be interesting to have some stats on how many adults drown in public swimming pools. I bet it's hardly any
Correct, the number who actually suffer from terminal apnea in public swimming pools in the UK is miniscule, but then that is probably down to the training that all pool staff MUST have (even if not employed as a life guard). From what I can remember from when I did my pool life guard training more people die of heart attacks in swimming pools that drown, and even that number is low as swimming is a low impact exercise so puts less stress on the heart (and indeed is generally recommended as the first sport a heart patient should attempt)
EDIT, the only figures I could find were for 2002, when 7 people drown in swimming pools in the UK, but that figure is not divided up into public/private pools
Indeed, I have much respect for lifeguards. When I was a kid my mate decided to launch himself off the 5 metre platform to land as close as possible to me. He landed close alright - he drove his chin into the top of my skull!! He was unconscious and I was seriously dazed. We were soon fished out though and taken to A&E to be stitched up.
I also had a surfboard/face incident at a beach in Sydney a few years ago - again, lifegaurds were straight in dragging my semi-conscious body out of the drink and dropping me off at the medical centre to have my upper lip stitched back onto my face.
Loads of respect for those guys - you're in safe hands....
Post by: mattc on 28 August, 2008, 03:23:46 pm
Strong swimmers are statistically far more likely to drown than non-swimmers.
+1 for us crap swimmers who timidly stick to the shallow end!
Post by: andygates on 28 August, 2008, 03:38:04 pm
Or worse, we'd end up as those idiots on the telly being rescued.
We swam harder. Afterwards, it was exhilerating. But mostly, it was just stupid. :-[
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 August, 2008, 03:43:46 pm
Strong swimmers take risks - we went out for a sea-swim last year and got caught by the tide at Elie, in Fife. For about ten minutes we were both swimming as hard as we could and got *nowhere*, then had a little revelation that if we didn't swim harder NOW, before we got tired, our wetsuited bodies would wash up in Norway.
Or worse, we'd end up as those idiots on the telly being rescued.
We swam harder. Afterwards, it was exhilerating. But mostly, it was just stupid. :-[
Thanks for sharing but that really doesn't inspire me to learn but to make sure the boat doesn't break down.
Post by: agagisgroovy on 28 August, 2008, 03:44:56 pm
Post by: toekneep on 28 August, 2008, 03:48:30 pm
Skip a good few years and at the age of 40 I decided enough was enough, I was going to learn to swim. I enrolled in adult classes and drove there on the first night terrified. There were several moments between getting out of the car and reaching the pool edge when I nearly chickened out but somehow I made it into the water. Over the next six weeks I managed very very slow progress and completed my first width on the last evening.
I progressed to another pool where friends went and eventually managed a length (only 25yds but hey, a length sounds good). The problem was I just never conquered the fear. After a year of regular visits I would spend an hour in the pool and maybe complete ten lengths, I even strung two together once, but the fear never subsided. I learnt to swim but I remained afraid of the water. So I gave up. I decided I would drown if I fell in a river or lake, and if I ever had the misfortune to be present when a small child fell into the water I would just have to live the rest of my life feeling like a complete failure.
I wish you all the luck in the world Lynx, and I'm sure you will succeed but please don't beat yourself up if you don't, we can't all achieve everything in life.
Post by: tiermat on 28 August, 2008, 03:49:48 pm
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 August, 2008, 03:51:40 pm
Check out swimfortri or Stephanie Ellis. Both can do one-on-one lessons afaik.
Thank you and have emailed them for more details.
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 August, 2008, 03:53:25 pm
It's so nice for people to relate water borne death stories in such a thread, I hope I can redress the balance a little bit, I have (and my two brothers) have been swimming for over 30 years each and have yet to suffer a water borne tragedy. this is most probably because we can swim, do it I say, learn to swim you might never need to use the skills you learn, but you can guarantee the time you do need to use them you will be glad you did (and it will be too late to start learning at that point!)
Thank you.
Post by: Gattopardo on 28 August, 2008, 03:57:37 pm
I learnt to swim as a child at primary school although I was never particularly confident. Then as an angst ridden skinny teenager I avoided swimming pools or any situation that involved showing off my puny body to the general public. Later in life I found that I could no longer swim due to fear of the water. In my twenties a friend had a go at teaching me in Lake Windemere and that was a disaster. The only reason I didn't drown was because he had to fight me to get me out of the water and as luck would have it I was worse at fighting than swimming.
Skip a good few years and at the age of 40 I decided enough was enough, I was going to learn to swim. I enrolled in adult classes and drove there on the first night terrified. There were several moments between getting out of the car and reaching the pool edge when I nearly chickened out but somehow I made it into the water. Over the next six weeks I managed very very slow progress and completed my first width on the last evening.
I progressed to another pool where friends went and eventually managed a length (only 25yds but hey, a length sounds good). The problem was I just never conquered the fear. After a year of regular visits I would spend an hour in the pool and maybe complete ten lengths, I even strung two together once, but the fear never subsided. I learnt to swim but I remained afraid of the water. So I gave up. I decided I would drown if I fell in a river or lake, and if I ever had the misfortune to be present when a small child fell into the water I would just have to live the rest of my life feeling like a complete failure.
I wish you all the luck in the world Lynx, and I'm sure you will succeed but please don't beat yourself up if you don't, we can't all achieve everything in life.
I see alot of myself in those comments.
This year we when to lanzerote and I had a swim in the pool (and the sea) after taking over an hour to just emerse myself. This was improved by buy a pair of decent gogles for the first time ever, and that gave me better confidence to open my eyes under water. This all had to be with the gf by myside as I was really paniced incase she was too far to save me from drowning.
Hence I want to keep the momentum up.
Post by: toekneep on 28 August, 2008, 04:00:12 pm
Oh yes the goggles, I'd forgotten how important they were. I also used a nose clip which reduced the panic caused by breathing water through my nose. (But made me look like a prat. ;D )I learnt to swim as a child at primary school although I was never particularly confident. Then as an angst ridden skinny teenager I avoided swimming pools or any situation that involved showing off my puny body to the general public. Later in life I found that I could no longer swim due to fear of the water. In my twenties a friend had a go at teaching me in Lake Windemere and that was a disaster. The only reason I didn't drown was because he had to fight me to get me out of the water and as luck would have it I was worse at fighting than swimming.
Skip a good few years and at the age of 40 I decided enough was enough, I was going to learn to swim. I enrolled in adult classes and drove there on the first night terrified. There were several moments between getting out of the car and reaching the pool edge when I nearly chickened out but somehow I made it into the water. Over the next six weeks I managed very very slow progress and completed my first width on the last evening.
I progressed to another pool where friends went and eventually managed a length (only 25yds but hey, a length sounds good). The problem was I just never conquered the fear. After a year of regular visits I would spend an hour in the pool and maybe complete ten lengths, I even strung two together once, but the fear never subsided. I learnt to swim but I remained afraid of the water. So I gave up. I decided I would drown if I fell in a river or lake, and if I ever had the misfortune to be present when a small child fell into the water I would just have to live the rest of my life feeling like a complete failure.
I wish you all the luck in the world Lynx, and I'm sure you will succeed but please don't beat yourself up if you don't, we can't all achieve everything in life.
I see alot of myself in those comments.
This year we when to lanzerote and I had a swim in the pool (and the sea) after taking over an hour to just emerse myself. This was improved by buy a pair of decent gogles for the first time ever, and that gave me better confidence to open my eyes under water. This all had to be with the gf by myside as I was really paniced incase she was too far to save me from drowning.
Hence I want to keep the momentum up.
Post by: tiermat on 28 August, 2008, 04:05:40 pm
If all else fails, or you feel the need to go to the pool more often that the lessons, get a able swimmer friend to go with you for support and assistance.
If you can get out of work, go during the day, the pools are usually quietest midweek (or strangely enough midday Saturday during term time), ask the local pool when they are quiet. Go then and just mess about in the water, don't go thinking you are going for a swim, just go with the intention of having a laugh. Confidence in water is the number one barrier to people not swimming, and if you can remove yourself from the things that affect your confidence (usually what other people will think) then you will be more relaxed and enjoy the time in the pool more. I have found that the midweek swimming session usually just have 3 or 4 old ladies who are there to keep their circulation going, and they aren't in the slightest bit bothered by someone getting in the water to build up their confidence (indeed most have been in your position and may well offer words of encouragement). Just DON'T GET IN THEIR WAY, THEY ARE DEMONS!!!! :)
Swimming is a fun sport, have fun, don't see it as a chore, and once again I'll say JFDI....
Post by: iakobski on 28 August, 2008, 04:07:20 pm
Strong swimmers take risks - we went out for a sea-swim last year and got caught by the tide at Elie, in Fife. For about ten minutes we were both swimming as hard as we could and got *nowhere*, then had a little revelation that if we didn't swim harder NOW, before we got tired, our wetsuited bodies would wash up in Norway.
Or worse, we'd end up as those idiots on the telly being rescued.
We swam harder. Afterwards, it was exhilerating. But mostly, it was just stupid. :-[
For future reference, if you are swimming towards the beach and not getting any closer (or even further away), swim parallel to the shore for a bit (or diagonally towards it) until you find you start getting closer.
What you were in was a rip tide, it's localised: if the water is coming away from the shore at the point you're at, there has to be other water going towards the shore to replace it.
Post by: bobb on 28 August, 2008, 04:09:33 pm
Strong swimmers are statistically far more likely to drown than non-swimmers.
That is indeed true, but to give confidence to the OP, people who are not strong swimmers and end up drowning usually do so through stupidity or just plain naivety.
An adult wishing to learn/improve their swimming at a public pool is going to be in safe hands. An adult full of beer and a total lack of fear going down the beach/lake etc is asking for trouble.
Same with kids - I rescued a couple of (I'm guessing) 12 year old girls at Bude a few years ago who had got themselves into all sorts of problems. Where on Earth their parents were, I have no idea. A couple of lifeguards were starting to strip off getting ready to come in - they were very grateful for me bunging the kids on my surf board as the dudes didn't really want to get wet - the weather was awful!
Public swimming pool + common sense = remaining alive
Post by: andygates on 28 August, 2008, 04:22:26 pm
Oh yes the goggles, I'd forgotten how important they were. I also used a nose clip which reduced the panic caused by breathing water through my nose. (But made me look like a prat. ;D )
+1 to the nose clip, it helps a lot until you learn to breath out all the time you're underwater.
Singing helps too. "Those magnificent men in their flying machines" was my learning-to-keep-breathing-out song. :thumbsup:
Post by: Manotea on 28 August, 2008, 04:37:44 pm
I was looking into this a while back. At that time none of the local classes suited me time-wise so I abandoned, but I'd like to revisit the issue. I might even consider a residential course - have you thought about that, Lynx? Get it done in one hit?
My problem with swimming is that I just sink, no matter what I do. Each attempt to swim involves at least one near-drowning ;D. Are there certain body types that just can't do it?
Look out for sites that have 'shallow' swimming pools. Isleworth Pools and The Fountain at Brentford both have regulation 25m pools that happen to be 1m deep. Its very hard to drown yourself when you can reach out and touch the bottom or stand up any time you chose!
I first went to Isleworth when I joined an Adult improver program to sort out my front crawl. I hated swimming in shallow pools at first because they emphasised how poor my body position was in the water (my feet kept hitting the bottom!). After a while though I learnt to swim with my body level and high in the water which makes a BIG difference.
Post by: Maladict on 28 August, 2008, 06:20:03 pm
We lived to tell the tale though.
Post by: hairyhippy on 28 August, 2008, 07:23:58 pm
Post by: SteveC on 28 August, 2008, 07:57:19 pm
Quote
Well I've decided that I really should learn to swim or should I say improve my lack of swimming.
I learnt when I was younger and was a poor swimmer. I could get my head under the water. Well after a few water incidents I have decided that I should learn to swim.
Can anyone recomend a course that guarantees you being able to swim?
I'm think of some one on one tuition just to give me the confidence to swim. Is this a good idea or better if its in a small group?
Any hints and tips to get the head immersion thing sorted would be really good for me.
Thanks
When I was about 5, my slightly younger cousin fell into a river in Africa (where she was living at the time). Neither of her parents could swim and they only just managed to pull her out. My mother, who would have been in her mid-twenties at the time, immediately signed up for swimming lessons, just in case something happened to one of us.
Over the next few years, my siblings and I learned to swim. We're all good at it. Most of us have swum for our schools. My little brother ended up at county level and went to the national trials once. Mother, in the mean time, was swimming a very sedate breast stroke, hating every second, and shouting at us if we splashed so much as a drop on her.
Eventually, she decided that, as the only one of the seven of us who didn't enjoy swimming, she had to be the one out of step, so did something about it. I don't know if she started off with lessons, or just gritted her teeth! Either way she ended up holding her Honours Personal Survival Award, and being a qualified swimming teacher, able to teach able bodied and disabled swimmers and other swimming teachers. She went from totally terrified to totally dedicated.
One of her best attributes was getting others who lacked confidence to swim. I'd recommend her to you, but I think that, at 69, she's probably stopped teaching!
If she can do it, I'm sure you can
Steve
Post by: SteveC on 28 August, 2008, 08:04:06 pm
Any hints and tips to get the head immersion thing sorted would be really good for me.
Some specific advice on this! (Although you'll feel a bit of an idiot at your age -- find a time when the pool is quiet)
Stand at the edge, holding onto the side, somewhere where your head is at about water level (so not at the shallow end).
Take a big breath, put your face under water (eyes open or closed, doesn't matter), and blow bubbles. When the bubbles stop, take your face out of the water. When you're happy with that, you can try floating, still holding onto the side, and doing the same.
And, if you're thin, you will have problems just floating. Once you work out how to move, that won't be an issue. The human body is approximately the same density as water.
Hope some of that helps -- I'm with hairyhippy -- I love swimming as well and want everyone else to!
Steve
Post by: Blade on 28 August, 2008, 09:54:24 pm
I'm not afraid of the water, I go snorkelling when I'm on holiday. But I was unable to float, tread water or 'breathe' whilst attempting to swim.
The swimming group that I attend weekly at a local school pool has a dozen members of various ages and abilities. From.....'I can't put my face in the water', to...''I can just manage to do a length of the pool'.
Currently, I can float on my back for 10 minutes , tread water for 5 minutes and breathe a bit whilst swimming .Can also nearly swim a length. But I can't understand why I'm left gasping for breathe, with my heart rate WAY up after swimming a width. My technique is very bad, but at least I won't drown ;D
Learning to swim is one of the things that I wanted to do before I get to 60. Got a year or so to get it nailed.
Good luck with your classes, I'm sure that you'll enjoy them.
Post by: mattc on 29 August, 2008, 09:50:31 am
Can also nearly swim a length. But I can't understand why I'm left gasping for breathe, with my heart rate WAY up after swimming a width. My technique is very bad, but at least I won't drown ;DI went through this. I forced myself to swim more slowly - use long slow strokes, concentrating on technique (I don't know much, but it all helps!).
This worked fine with breast stroke, but it's harder with crawl for some reason - probably just need more practice.
Of course with breaststroke you always have the 'old lady' fallback of keeping your face and hair dry, but I think in the long term this is bad for your back!
Post by: toekneep on 29 August, 2008, 09:55:27 am
This makes me smile. When I was managing my lengths I was thrashing from one end to the other, totally exhausted each time when one of the life guards pointed out that I was taking 32 strokes when I should be taking about 20. So I went for another length and concentrated really really hard on being relaxed and taking long slow strokes. I got to the other end feeling quite pleased with myself and looked up at the life guard. "how was that" I enquired. "Not bad", he said, "31 strokes that time". ;D ;DCan also nearly swim a length. But I can't understand why I'm left gasping for breathe, with my heart rate WAY up after swimming a width. My technique is very bad, but at least I won't drown ;DI went through this. I forced myself to swim more slowly - use long slow strokes, concentrating on technique (I don't know much, but it all helps!).
This worked fine with breast stroke, but it's harder with crawl for some reason - probably just need more practice.
Of course with breaststroke you always have the 'old lady' fallback of keeping your face and hair dry, but I think in the long term this is bad for your back!
Post by: bobb on 29 August, 2008, 11:25:34 am
Any good swimmer can go up and down a pool all night without shagging themselves out. They're relaxed and that's the key.
I remember going to a swimming gala hosted by David Wilkie when I was a kid. He did a length of a 33 metre pool with just 4 strokes! It certainly wasn't his quickest ever length, but he proved the point that you really don't need to put that much effort in if you're chilled and relaxed.
Also (slightly OT but still swimming!) on a scuba diving holiday, I got buddied up with this guy who was fit, healthy and young - but he caned his air on every dive. It was slightly annoying to have to come up with half a tank full when his was almost empty. The reason? He wasn't relaxed. He was a bit panicky and just sucked that air down.
We all have fears or nerves about certain things, but I'm convinced they can be overcome. If a human being is determined to learn to swim - they will be able to....
Post by: LEE on 31 August, 2008, 09:56:17 pm
Any hints and tips to get the head immersion thing sorted would be really good for me.
Firstly, the fear of putting your head under water is a natural reflex. It's stronger in some than others but it's nothing to worry about.
Secondly, I taught both my kids to swim by firstly getting them over this fear.
My tip is to buy some decent goggles (Speedo are good) then go to the pool (even your own bath will do).
Hold your nose, take a few deep breaths and put your heard under. Do it in the shallow end so there's no fear.
You should notice that you don't immediately drown.
I did this with my kids long before they actually swam and they really started to enjoy the head under water experience.
Once you realise you can survive under water for 30 seconds it should give you a certain amount of confidence later on.
Next, still in the shallow end. Go to one side, put your head under water, put your hands out in front (fingers together, pointy-style) and push off the side with your legs. Glide for 5-10 seconds and stand up (you know you won't drown in 5 seconds now so it shouldn't be too bad). You ain't swimming yet but just do this until you are happy gliding about .
Once you can glide about and have overcome the underwater anxiety thing you may want to book a lesson because you'll be 80% there. Swimming, especially Breast-Stroke, is gliding with the occasional bit of arm/leg flapping.
Summary, I'd try my best to get comfortable with my head under water as much as possible, in the comfort of my own company, before going for lessons.
PS, a nose-clip helps some people.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 01 September, 2008, 11:27:09 am
Post by: mattc on 01 September, 2008, 11:43:25 am
+1 for Lee's technique. That is a much better version of the approach I stumbled through.
Post by: Gattopardo on 01 September, 2008, 11:54:40 am
Lee, I have bought a pair of childrens latex sealed googles as they seem to fit better than the other adult ones and actually seal around my eyes without hurting but still feeling rather strange. The strange feeling is because I'm not used to wearing anything that close on my face.
well have decided that on wednesday (probably around Lunchtime) I am going to go and scare myself in Clapham pool for half an hour by just immersing my head and doing nothing else.
Post by: Jaded on 01 September, 2008, 12:41:31 pm
Post by: LEE on 01 September, 2008, 12:45:26 pm
I know it is pretty much irrelevant in the context of this thread, but it is much easier in the sea, on account of the extra buoyancy.
Stick to the shallow End of the local pool.
(The sea is full of Sharks and Turds)
Post by: LEE on 01 September, 2008, 12:52:16 pm
Thank you all, you have made me feel better about my fear.
Lee, I have bought a pair of childrens latex sealed googles as they seem to fit better than the other adult ones and actually seal around my eyes without hurting but still feeling rather strange. The strange feeling is because I'm not used to wearing anything that close on my face.
well have decided that on wednesday (probably around Lunchtime) I am going to go and scare myself in Clapham pool for half an hour by just immersing my head and doing nothing else.
My kids were both swimming confidently underwater before they could swim (if that makes sense).
Post by: Maladict on 01 September, 2008, 03:10:47 pm
Post by: Gattopardo on 01 September, 2008, 03:14:16 pm
I know it is pretty much irrelevant in the context of this thread, but it is much easier in the sea, on account of the extra buoyancy.
Stick to the shallow End of the local pool.
(The sea is full of Sharks and Turds)
And the sea has current, swiming pools usually dont.
Post by: Jaded on 01 September, 2008, 03:39:17 pm
I know it is pretty much irrelevant in the context of this thread, but it is much easier in the sea, on account of the extra buoyancy.
Stick to the shallow End of the local pool.
(The sea is full of Sharks and Turds)
And the sea has current, swiming pools usually dont.
Not all the sea has current.
Post by: LEE on 03 September, 2008, 06:06:27 pm
I know it is pretty much irrelevant in the context of this thread, but it is much easier in the sea, on account of the extra buoyancy.
Stick to the shallow End of the local pool.
(The sea is full of Sharks and Turds)
And the sea has current, swiming pools usually dont.
Not all the sea has current.
In the sea, the deep-end is 6 miles.
Post by: Gattopardo on 03 September, 2008, 06:10:49 pm
I know it is pretty much irrelevant in the context of this thread, but it is much easier in the sea, on account of the extra buoyancy.
Stick to the shallow End of the local pool.
(The sea is full of Sharks and Turds)
And the sea has current, swiming pools usually dont.
Not all the sea has current.
Cool are there sultanas too ;)
Well I'm off to dip my head and panic in a pool for a few hours, after cycling 10 miles.
Wow this is supposed to be fun
Post by: Gattopardo on 04 September, 2008, 10:10:00 am
But found getting water up my nose really uncomfortable, so the choice is either nose clips or get used to it. Found the googles annoying, maybe I need to get used to wearing goggles, the fit is good but I don't like having then on. They seem really unnatural but I suppose I'll get used to them.
Well try again on saturday or sunday.
Post by: cometworm on 04 September, 2008, 10:52:47 am
Ok did it for three quater of an hour on and off.
But found getting water up my nose really uncomfortable, so the choice is either nose clips or get used to it. Found the googles annoying, maybe I need to get used to wearing goggles, the fit is good but I don't like having then on. They seem really unnatural but I suppose I'll get used to them.
Well try again on saturday or sunday.
Nose: as you swim, breathe out while under water. No nose clips required.
Goggles: if you don't like "normal" ones, try something like these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedo-Adult-Rift-Goggle/dp/B0011NTAA6/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1220521830&sr=1-12 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedo-Adult-Rift-Goggle/dp/B0011NTAA6/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1220521830&sr=1-12)
They don't fog as easily, they're more comfortable, and if you get into triathlons and mass starts in the water, they protect you from the damage a normal pair would do to your eyesocket if it caught somebody's heel.
Post by: Gattopardo on 04 September, 2008, 12:01:22 pm
The googles thing I think is because I'm not used to wearing them. So will see how I get on before trying a mask.
Post by: LEE on 05 September, 2008, 04:05:59 pm
Breathing out through your nose will get better and easier but, if it makes it more comfortable wear a nose clip. They are fairly discreet now. Do anything you need to make it better underwater.
Once you are comfortable gliding/messing about underwater the actual process of swimming on top of the water won't fill you with as much fear (because you know you can survive underwater for 30-60 seconds no problem).
Not being able to swim is 99% about the fear of going under. It's surprising how quickly you can run out of breath if you worry about running out of breath.
If you are happy gliding under water, try gliding on the surface and maybe try a few strokes while your head is underwater. Hey presto, you're swimming. The rest is just a natural progression. I learned to do front-crawl by copying what I saw on Olympics and so on. In fact I just picked up a few tips during this Olympics and the underwater camera.
(I was keeping my arm dead straight underwater but the Olympians fold their arm and push backward close to their centre-line. You live and learn).
Good luck. Going to the pool and losing 'the fear' is the key. Everyone looks like an egg-whisk and drink large quantities of the pool when they first start.
If you need motivating to go to the pool, simply put a Chris de Burgh CD on while you are in the house. You'll soon find yourself leaving for a swim.
Post by: Julian on 07 January, 2009, 11:13:01 pm
I'm not a terrible swimmer, although I mainly stick to breaststroke because I'm better at it (and just as fast) as with crawl. I was reasonable at swimming as a kid, then the long and sedentary pause set in, and I started again at the same time as I started cycling. I got okay - fifty lengths without stopping a couple of times a week, with a bit more if I felt like it - but not brilliant. Then cycling kind of took over (well, you can't swim to Brighton at midnight with friends, can you?), and a brief re-introduction to it was stopped by a navel piercing which objected to chlorine.
Today I managed thirty lengths before surrendering. :-[
And that was with those long pauses where you stand at the end and pretend to be looking for someone.
On the plus side I mainly managed a reasonable crawl, courtesy of some tips from internet coaching sites and listening in on the Herculean children's lesson that was happening at the other end of the pool (some of that lot have gills and webbed feet, I swear.) Just need to start practising again... :)
Post by: cometworm on 07 January, 2009, 11:16:33 pm
Got a mail today on the Serpie egroup from Stephanie Ellis, who has a course starting at the end of this month. She is highly recommended by the club and has taught loads of the Serpie triathletes. She uses some variation on total immersion, iirc.
Post by: andygates on 07 January, 2009, 11:24:48 pm
Me, I'm on a 12-week drills-n-skills course that was in last winter's 220-Tri mag. I couldn't do 30 lengths right now unless the Saint of Killers was chasing me on a jetski.
Post by: simonp on 07 January, 2009, 11:31:42 pm
I did 500m this evening, first swim for a few months. Has sorted out my sore back for now.
I used my new earplugs for the first time too. I think they worked. :thumbsup:
Post by: Julian on 20 January, 2009, 10:48:04 pm
My learn-to-tri book reckons they're essential, but then again they seem to have quite a bit of stuff down as essential. The only one I've gone for so far is the HRM since that seemed genuinely useful for assessing training, but as yet I have not been persuaded into other 'vital training tools' or I shall be bankrupt well before I'm buff.
Post by: simonp on 21 January, 2009, 09:06:40 pm
Front crawl has always been a bit of a struggle for me. I don't know why, but I have never been able to get into a steady rhythm with it, so I've always been limited to at most about 10-12 lengths at a time (even when being coached I never managed more than 12).
Tonight I did 33. :thumbsup: And it wasn't being tired that made me stop, it was the fact I said "I'll do 33 lengths tonight". 10% increase per week you see. Once I got past the initial stage where I am still warming up and get aerobic, I felt I could go on indefinitely. So at ln(2)/ln(1.1) I should be swimming a mile of front crawl in 7 weeks give or take.
Post by: Kathy on 21 January, 2009, 09:50:54 pm
Other swimmers: is it worth getting fins or paddles? Do you use them, do they make a difference, and would you recommend them to someone who is nowhere near expert? (Would these for me as basically a beginner be about as effective as putting race tyres on a BSO?)
My learn-to-tri book reckons they're essential, but then again they seem to have quite a bit of stuff down as essential. The only one I've gone for so far is the HRM since that seemed genuinely useful for assessing training, but as yet I have not been persuaded into other 'vital training tools' or I shall be bankrupt well before I'm buff.
You sound like you're doing pretty well. Thirty lengths used to me a real struggle for me. Some days they still are. :-[
The only advice I can offer is to concentrate on the crawl (once you've got it to "click", it's the fastest stroke by far) and to push yourself. Always push yourself to the point that you know it's work, but not to the point where it feels like you're dying!
The other thing I've found is that cyclist legs are chunky and non-buoyant, and arms are atrophied. Practising with a pull buoy (foam block you wedge in your crotch) can help train up the arms, but as a chunky-legged cyclist, I find I need an extra-buoyant float here.
Post by: andygates on 21 January, 2009, 11:23:05 pm
A pull buoy (the one you hold between your legs) and a kick float (the flat torpedo thing) are 'more essential' - they let you isolate bits of your stroke to practice.
Or you could get fist gloves (but just making fists is cheaper!).
Fisting is fun. O:-)
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 31 March, 2009, 03:08:40 pm
I also found that it really helped relax my legs if I had had a hard day on the bike the day before. So when I moved offices, I was disappointed to find that there wasn’t a pool anywhere nearby (there are a few very expensive gyms that have small crappy pools but nothing of a useful size). So I stopped swimming and boy, did the weight pile on.
I had plans to swim before work at home but that would have entailed a ridiculously early start, and anyway, the whole point of swimming at lunchtime was to make best use of the day.
So I’m pleased that a pool has reopened not too far from me – so hopefully I’ll be back to regular swimming and good, even weight loss (having seen the video and photo of the TRAT training ride from last Saturday, it’s very clear tat I need to lose *lots* of weight (for me and my health, not just for cycling plans).
Looking forward to my first swim in ages tomorrow :)
Post by: oncemore on 31 March, 2009, 08:43:18 pm
As with all such endeavours motivation is the key!
Post by: Gattopardo on 22 April, 2009, 12:59:18 pm
Managed to do half a width, and do a little breast stroke. So 12 more hour lessons to go so hopefully will keep you all updated.
Post by: simonp on 26 April, 2009, 12:08:47 am
Post by: Gattopardo on 29 April, 2009, 08:53:06 pm
Post by: toekneep on 29 April, 2009, 08:54:05 pm
Post by: Kathy on 29 May, 2009, 03:30:04 pm
Our swimming coach took a load of video footage of us swimming, and then showed it to us explaining one by one the good (and many bad) points we each had. It's really useful - I realised that although it *feels* that my hands are entering the water smoothly and the stroke goes under my body, actually they are like a policeman signalling "stop", and sweeping out like the Loch Ness Monster's flippers at the side. And I'm breathing far too late in each stroke. And not bending my arms when I should. And I realised most of all that with my hair piled up under my swimming hat, what I look like most of all is a giant teated condom. :-[ :-[ :-[
At least my leg kick is good. Or he ran out of time to tell me all the bad things about that too.
Post by: andygates on 29 May, 2009, 04:55:06 pm
Post by: Frenchie on 29 May, 2009, 10:34:26 pm
Kathy, your hair position (should be in your neck area) and surface (no wrinkle) are VERY important to a fast swim!
Post by: Gattopardo on 29 May, 2009, 10:40:34 pm
I'm getting better and probably better than I ever was. Just got to sus the breathing and have even floated on my back, with noodles tho.
Post by: Frenchie on 29 May, 2009, 10:47:17 pm
Hints and tips then. :thumbsup:
Watch; just before 2012. ;)
Post by: Kathy on 29 May, 2009, 11:14:31 pm
Kathy, your hair position (should be in your neck area) and surface (no wrinkle) are VERY important to a fast swim!
I know, but I apply an anti-chlorine mask to preven split-ends (vanity, vanity :-[ ) and it's so greasy that unless I pile my hair right up in the top of the cap it seems to slither out. :-[
Post by: Kathy on 16 June, 2009, 10:13:56 am
I'm still working on improving my stroke based on the video, and I'm beginning to find that my lower arms are aching, so I guess that I'm using them more. I'm also getting an ache around the collarbone, which feels unpleasant and stops me really hammering it. Is this a good thing? ???
Post by: andygates on 16 June, 2009, 01:06:20 pm
Latest comment on my stroke, from overhead viewers on a gantry, was "elbows high!" - the pull is way too deep.
Post by: Kathy on 16 June, 2009, 01:17:59 pm
One arm drills are interesting. They ought to train a long, gliding body shape (or just panic as you sink like a rock, in my case).
My sturdy cyclist legs are far stronger than my weedy arms, so without both arms, I plough along with my nose heading towards the bottom. I hate catch-up drill for that reason: I can't use my arms for propulsion, as I'm having to use all their strength for hauling my face back up to the surface to breathe. :-[
Quote
Latest comment on my stroke, from overhead viewers on a gantry, was "elbows high!" - the pull is way too deep.
Me too. Apparently you should extend the arm forwards, but as you begin to pull it towards you you should crook it under your body, and then straighten it at the end of the stroke. At least, that's what I've been told.
A good drill I've found is to take a kick board (not a pull buoy) and wodge it between your thighs (this drill is also good for toning those too) so that as you swim along it looks like you have a polystyrene shark fin. Pull, but at the end of each stroke tap the base of your "fin" (just by your bum) before returning your arm. Make sure that your hards are shifting water throughour the stroke. It's a really good drill for finding power in the last few inches before your arm comes out of the water, and it made a difference to my speed. :)
Post by: Gattopardo on 16 June, 2009, 01:41:11 pm
Well as a continuation, I'm getting better and more confident. But not ventured in to the deep end.
Well also found that a shorty wet suit makes it easier to float, or maybe it gives me more confidence but thats what I'm using at the mo.
Oh and actually floated on my backwith just two floats.
Oh and my breast stroke is all arms and legs do very little.
Post by: Kathy on 16 June, 2009, 01:46:49 pm
Forgot all about this.
Well as a continuation, I'm getting better and more confident.
Well done. :)
Quote
But not ventured in to the deep end.
Of course not: there might be sharks in there! ;)
Quote
Oh and my breast stroke is all arms and legs do very little.
You really have to snap your legs together hard and fast for them to do anything, but even then it doesn't feel like they're doing much. Your legs are probably doing more than you think. :)
Post by: andygates on 25 June, 2009, 11:54:06 am
But hey! The elbows thing really really worked for me! It allows the trunk twist to sync and drive the whole motion, so after an 11:30 500m a couple of weeks ago dying on my arse, this morning was a solid and steady 10:30 without any drama. Very happy am I!
Post by: andygates on 16 July, 2009, 09:31:41 am
Wow, Check Out Our Amazing Swimming Animation, Mr Smooth! (http://www.swimsmooth.com/index.html)
Swimsmooth are a sound lot, and Mr Smooth is an animated front-crawl mannequin type effort.
Post by: Manotea on 16 July, 2009, 10:43:26 am
Half the trick with breast stroke legs is not having them stop you dead each stroke. Still working on that one...
But hey! The elbows thing really really worked for me! It allows the trunk twist to sync and drive the whole motion, so after an 11:30 500m a couple of weeks ago dying on my arse, this morning was a solid and steady 10:30 without any drama. Very happy am I!
The best breaststroke advice I ever received was to imagine that you are swimming down a pipe, so that you keep your frontal area as small as possible and don't flail arms and legs out to the side. Sadly, this had the immediate effect of speeding up my stroke which meant that whilst I went faster I was also working a lot harder. No more leisurely pootling....
Post by: Gattopardo on 16 July, 2009, 11:13:08 am
Just spotted this really nifty stroke guide:
Wow, Check Out Our Amazing Swimming Animation, Mr Smooth! (http://www.swimsmooth.com/index.html)
Swimsmooth are a sound lot, and Mr Smooth is an animated front-crawl mannequin type effort.
Wow thanks for that link
Post by: simonp on 16 July, 2009, 01:19:21 pm
Post by: simonp on 16 July, 2009, 10:16:05 pm
I passed a milestone tonight I think.
Front crawl has always been a bit of a struggle for me. I don't know why, but I have never been able to get into a steady rhythm with it, so I've always been limited to at most about 10-12 lengths at a time (even when being coached I never managed more than 12).
Tonight I did 33. :thumbsup: And it wasn't being tired that made me stop, it was the fact I said "I'll do 33 lengths tonight". 10% increase per week you see. Once I got past the initial stage where I am still warming up and get aerobic, I felt I could go on indefinitely. So at ln(2)/ln(1.1) I should be swimming a mile of front crawl in 7 weeks give or take.
New milestone tonight. I've not been swimming much lately, but after Tuesday's swim and feeling a bit sore from last night's Wing Chun class, I decided to swim tonight. I started off with the front crawl, and just got into a rhythm, and kept going (except for the odd brief pause when turning, mainly caused by coughing up stuff), and did 1600m!!!
So that's double my previous front crawl distance, out of nowhere. ::-)
Post by: David Martin on 13 October, 2009, 09:49:01 pm
Decided that it was high time to do something about my swimming and discovered that the Uni do a 'swim fit' class on a tuesday. So off I went. Another couple of people I know from other classes. One seriously fit lad in lane three who said it took him a year to get out of lane four (the slow lane).
So on with the class. Four lanes, about 4-6 people in each lane. Lane 1 is the fastest, 4 the slowest so for the various sets the distance for the slow lane is shorter than the faster lanes.
Front crawl/back crawl. then repeat with kick boards (legs only, I can do that) and pull buoys (crap at that) Front crawl for far longer than I can do. Various other bits and pieces. Over the hour I reckon I must have done nearly 1km which is a seriously massive distance for me. I was wasted by the end. I had started off as one of the faster lane 4 swimmers, but lack of condition and technique soon put paid to that.
Breathing still poor but improving as the session went on. I think this will do me some good. I will ache tomorrow and Thursday.
..d
Post by: simonp on 13 October, 2009, 10:03:28 pm
I have found the hundred pushups programme is making front crawl work a lot better for me as I have a lot more power in my shoulders which comes in handy. Did 1200m tonight, took me just over half an hour.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 19 October, 2009, 01:53:41 am
So I started in the 'Adult Improvers' just over three years ago. And then found out that I was pregnant about 6 weeks into the term! I kept swimming and going to the lessons, and got my first length of full stroke fly under my belt at nearly 7 months pregnant. I took a 2 month break from 8 and a bit months, and was back in the class when the littly was just under 7 weeks old. It took me another year to progress to making it past 2 lengths of crawl though - it's definitely my weakest stroke and is scarcely faster than my breaststroke. I can plod along at it for 400m without feeling like I'm actually going to drown now though - which was absolutely unimaginable a year ago. I'm now in the 'advanced' class - although I am the slowest one in there by quite some margin! I don't get to the pool anywhere near as often as I'd like but I always get at least one swim and one aquafit class a week in. I find swimming relaxing and invigorating and, when I had the time to do it, swimming every day whether it was a quick 20 minutes dash or a leisurely 2 hour plod was incredibly good for my physical and mental well-being. For a start, I lost loads of weight as spending on average 9 to 10 hours a week in the water limits your cake eating opportunities!
I'd heartily recommend lessons to anyone who isn't confident, wants to brush up their technique or needs a bit of a kick up the bum to motivate them. Plus we can get a 12 week term of 1 hour lessons for about 70 quid round here - which is unbelievably good value even without the 10 free swims they give you too!
Post by: David Martin on 19 October, 2009, 10:50:04 am
..d
Post by: mike on 19 October, 2009, 10:53:11 am
My main problem seems to be breathing with front crawl - I must breathe out more and try to relax the breathing so I don't end up gasping for breath. How to do that though...
..d
have a look at Wow, Check Out Our Amazing Swimming Animation, Mr Smooth! (http://www.swimsmooth.com) - it's a brilliant site, I'm learning lots..
Post by: David Martin on 19 October, 2009, 04:26:35 pm
My main problem seems to be breathing with front crawl - I must breathe out more and try to relax the breathing so I don't end up gasping for breath. How to do that though...
..d
have a look at Wow, Check Out Our Amazing Swimming Animation, Mr Smooth! (http://www.swimsmooth.com) - it's a brilliant site, I'm learning lots..
I have been - notes taken and will try that tomorrow evening. Breathe out more...
..d
Post by: saturn on 19 October, 2009, 04:52:45 pm
have a look at Wow, Check Out Our Amazing Swimming Animation, Mr Smooth! (http://www.swimsmooth.com) - it's a brilliant site, I'm learning lots..
Indeed. I noted the tip about the long exhale and asked my daughter who does a lot of swimming training (for synchro not speed) if she does that and she admitted she doesn't. Maybe she'll give it a try in tonight's training session.
Post by: David Martin on 20 October, 2009, 10:35:32 pm
Rather weary now.. I think I put in a good bit of effort there.
Post by: simonp on 30 October, 2009, 12:54:27 am
I found last week very hard. Lots to take in meant I was struggling to coordinate it all.
Tonight went really well despite the sore legs from Tuesday's rowing & treadmill efforts and the 3.5 pints from the pub last night. I got some advice about how to swim more relaxed and it really clicked and though I wasn't setting the world on fire I did find I was able to swim more comfortably. Got some positive feedback from one of the other swimmers, which was nice. 7 miles misty cycle home across Cambridge after we went to the pub after swimming. Really enjoyed myself tonight. Think this will be a regular thing.
Post by: David Martin on 10 November, 2009, 10:29:51 pm
I will know about it tomorrow.
Post by: GraemeMcC on 17 November, 2009, 01:09:04 pm
www.totalimmersion.co.uk (http://www.totalimmersion.co.uk)
www.totalimmersion.net (http://www.totalimmersion.net)
He teaches front crawl in a staged technique whereby you assemble an efficient stroke, bit by bit. Swimming is 70% technique and 30% strength. Without any technique, everyone struggles.
Read the book, look at the videos. As a cyclist-turned-triathlete who completed IronMan in 2008 from scratch, it works.
In Terry's words, "don't practice bad technique." You'll never escape.
Also, do try a club - tri clubs are good. The standard is from good to appalling (a bit like triathletes cycling skills, really)
Post by: Manotea on 17 November, 2009, 01:14:09 pm
Forgive me if this isn't already somewhere in pages 2 - 6, but you really need to read "Total Immersion - freestyle made easy" by Terry Laughlin.The last local workshop (Hampton) was last weekend. Bother. The next one isn't till February. Bother.
www.totalimmersion.co.uk (http://www.totalimmersion.co.uk)
www.totalimmersion.net (http://www.totalimmersion.net)
He teaches front crawl in a staged technique whereby you assemble an efficient stroke, bit by bit. Swimming is 70% technique and 30% strength. Without any technique, everyone struggles.
Read the book, look at the videos. As a cyclist-turned-triathlete who completed IronMan in 2008 from scratch, it works.
In Terry's words, "don't practice bad technique." You'll never escape.
Also, do try a club - tri clubs are good. The standard is from good to appalling (a bit like triathletes cycling skills, really)
Post by: simonp on 17 November, 2009, 01:16:33 pm
Post by: David Martin on 17 November, 2009, 09:00:04 pm
I cannot do a breast stroke kick. And am still slower than a slow thing in treacle. But the core strength is getting to a point where I can work on technique even when being shouted at by the coach.
..d
Post by: cometworm on 17 November, 2009, 09:23:02 pm
Post by: simonp on 19 November, 2009, 06:36:06 pm
Failed a bit on the hundred push ups afterwards though. Club again tonight.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 20 November, 2009, 08:41:40 am
Kicking seems to be more for speed than endurance?
I don't recall anyone teaching me to swim and I was pretty mediocre until I went to uni and found I could go every day for very little to an almost empty pool. It was a great way to relax and I went 2-3 times a week for nearly 3 years and soon became a much better swimmer just by practice.
Yesterday I went again for the first time in 2 years! Fortunately I could still do it altho' some muscles are a bit tired today.
Post by: simonp on 23 November, 2009, 12:00:12 am
I swam this evening after having been to the gym earlier in the day. Again managed 1000m in under 30 minutes - this despite taking rest breaks. I also timed myself for a 25m length of front crawl as fast as I could go - I managed about 22s. Not exactly record breaking, but I'm sure this is faster than I could do back when I was 30. :thumbsup:
Post by: David Martin on 24 November, 2009, 09:04:24 pm
But the best thing was that I finally seemed to crack front crawl. Kept it going for 200m without much bother. The tipping point seemed to be rotating enough to get a clean release of the hand on my non-breathing side. That seems to have made a big difference, and makes it easier to start work on bilateral breathing. So I am well chuffed. I had previously struggled to do 2x 25m and there I was just cranking them out... ;D Absolutely wasted now.. Running a stupidly high calorie deficit (1000 cals) today - my weight when I got home was lower than I have seen in many a year so I am chuffed.
Tomorrow will be a recovery day.
Thursday I will find out what difference -3kg in body weight makes on the hill climb.
..
Post by: CrinklyLion on 28 November, 2009, 11:04:35 pm
But I would still like to get back to the distances and speeds that I used to do, despite my dreadful technique, when I swam most days a few years back and was somewhat thinner and fitter. Between 1/2 a mile and 2 miles of (rubbish) breaststroke 4 or 5 times a week. And I could churn out a mile in about 40 minutes.
Post by: simonp on 15 January, 2010, 12:16:50 am
I found it a little bit hard going. It was only 3/4 of the way through the class I remembered last night's booze and this morning's mild hangover. ::-)
However I can do some things better than before. I think the core stability class + rowing machine + upper body weights have been doing their bit.
I also signed on the dotted line to become a member of the club rather than just a hanger-on. I suppose yet more insanity awaits.
Post by: David Martin on 15 January, 2010, 06:37:08 pm
..d
Post by: simonp on 22 January, 2010, 06:24:44 pm
I think the newbie who turned up for her first class got a bit of a shock. :)
No it wasn't just the sigh of me in my slightly yellowed speedos.
Post by: Manotea on 22 January, 2010, 06:36:34 pm
Post by: mattc on 26 March, 2010, 12:53:39 pm
Anyway, the saga of same-sex poolside showers continues ... this week a lady was shaving her pits, then showering off the detritus. Not sure what I can do to top that ...
Post by: simonp on 26 March, 2010, 01:18:30 pm
Got to get some decent swim time in between now and when they restart in April.
Post by: andygates on 26 March, 2010, 02:05:06 pm
Post by: simonp on 26 March, 2010, 02:08:51 pm
The trick is to identify when your form is going, and rest up. Plugging on with bad form results in my style of "thrashing badger" swimming.
That describes my attempt at Butterfly quite succinctly. :)
Post by: Rich753 on 26 March, 2010, 04:44:49 pm
Forgive me if this isn't already somewhere in pages 2 - 6, but you really need to read "Total Immersion - freestyle made easy" by Terry Laughlin.
www.totalimmersion.co.uk (http://www.totalimmersion.co.uk)
www.totalimmersion.net (http://www.totalimmersion.net)
He teaches front crawl in a staged technique whereby you assemble an efficient stroke, bit by bit. Swimming is 70% technique and 30% strength. Without any technique, everyone struggles.
Read the book, look at the videos. As a cyclist-turned-triathlete who completed IronMan in 2008 from scratch, it works.
In Terry's words, "don't practice bad technique." You'll never escape.
Also, do try a club - tri clubs are good. The standard is from good to appalling (a bit like triathletes cycling skills, really)
is it realistic to learn to swim from book & video? or do you really need personal tuition?
Post by: simonp on 28 March, 2010, 03:56:25 pm
Post by: mike on 30 March, 2010, 02:58:29 pm
1500m for me this lunchtime. Quite sore now :)
Post by: andygates on 31 March, 2010, 05:53:15 pm
Restarted my swimming with a speed test. 2:16 / 100m. Work to do, oh yes... but it'll come with consistency and discipline and all that junk. :o
Post by: mike on 15 April, 2010, 01:56:02 pm
Bloody ace. An hour in the classroom (which went much quicker than I expected), 2 and a bit hours in the pool during which we went through the theory we'd just covered, did a load of different drills and were videoed individually above & below the water, then back in the classroom to talk through the video nasty.
Damn, I swim badly :) my reach forward is going so deep that I'm only taking about 3/4 strokes, my body is twisting about like a porpoise in a heavy swell and my leg kick is random and occasional. And, just to add insult to injury, there's a definite thinning of the hair in the 'head on' shot :'(
So some time soon the DVD from the course will drop onto my doormat, together with a set of drills which they think will help me and a suggested training program to get me up to full tri distance & speed eventually.
I'm really enjoying the learning, just wish I didnt stink of chlorine the whole time!
Post by: mike on 16 April, 2010, 10:04:50 am
videos pictures by mikes99mail - Photobucket (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/mikes99mail/videos/?action=view¤t=Mikeswim1.flv)
(poor quality, sorry.. new to this imovie thing)
Post by: starkj73 on 15 June, 2010, 08:38:28 am
Just getting back into swimming. Have been trying to be aware of technique. The main problem at the minute is breathing in while doing breast stroke. I lift my head above the water but always end up with water in my mouth.
I presume I should breath in with pursed lips but through bad breathing control always need a good gulp of air.
Any advice, thanks.
Post by: toontra on 15 June, 2010, 09:19:26 am
I've just got back from cycle touring in Scotland for a couple of weeks so missed 3 weeks lessons and went to the pool today expecting the worst and, lo and behold, I was freestyling in a fairly elegant way! Everyone commented on it, including the teacher. They all reckoned I'd been to a swimming camp for intensive training, but the opposite was true.
It makes me think that you have to lay off things for a while and come back to them fresh to see an improvement. It just felt so relaxed and natural, rather than worrying and analysing technique too much. I'm hoping this is the breakthrough I've been waiting for!
Post by: mike on 15 June, 2010, 09:29:27 am
two things:
Just getting back into swimming. Have been trying to be aware of technique. The main problem at the minute is breathing in while doing breast stroke. I lift my head above the water but always end up with water in my mouth.
I presume I should breath in with pursed lips but through bad breathing control always need a good gulp of air.
Any advice, thanks.
when are you breathing out and how far out is your head when you breath in?
I try and blow out under the water, just before breaching. I probably sound a bit like a walrus but I'm past caring...
Can recommend 'total immersion' for a great book on how to swim front crawl much easier. I've gone from being knackered after 2 lengths to doing 3k in about an hour, and my 'strokes per length' has gone from 25ish to about 16.
Post by: starkj73 on 15 June, 2010, 10:43:36 am
two things:
Just getting back into swimming. Have been trying to be aware of technique. The main problem at the minute is breathing in while doing breast stroke. I lift my head above the water but always end up with water in my mouth.
I presume I should breath in with pursed lips but through bad breathing control always need a good gulp of air.
Any advice, thanks.
when are you breathing out and how far out is your head when you breath in?
I try and blow out under the water, just before breaching. I probably sound a bit like a walrus but I'm past caring...
Can recommend 'total immersion' for a great book on how to swim front crawl much easier. I've gone from being knackered after 2 lengths to doing 3k in about an hour, and my 'strokes per length' has gone from 25ish to about 16.
I would say I blow out just before coming up. I think my head is well out of the water for breathing in. Maybe just getting a bit of splash. Back to the pool tomorrow so will try to even the breathing out.
Post by: andygates on 15 June, 2010, 11:34:43 am
Also, try to concentrate on timing your breath with your pull. As you pull, you make a wake around your head, and your mouth has plenty of clear air. :thumbsup:
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 September, 2012, 05:04:33 pm
Post by: hellymedic on 01 September, 2012, 05:26:59 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 September, 2012, 05:29:22 pm
I promoted myself to the middle speed lane today, but only because the two othe women in the slow lane were slower than glaciers.
Post by: hellymedic on 01 September, 2012, 05:31:20 pm
Post by: mattc on 01 September, 2012, 05:42:51 pm
My legs are my least productive limbs in the pool, but i suspect this is lack of technique. My suspicion is backed up by today's 100m SB7 breaststroke: the woman not using here arms (at all) qualified 2nd, only just behind an athlete with above-the-knees amputations.Or another option would be a hybrid stroke. I can barely crawl but for a bit more speed I often breaststroke with my arms and crawl kick with my legs.
A technique I've always favoured. Breaststroke legs are, IMHO, silly frog impressions that look pretty but provide no useful power. The arms actually work really well, as long as you don't have to waste too much thrust keeping your face out of the water (your BMI may vary; mine certainly has).
So breaststroke kicks CAN produce a lot of thrust.
(I know we're getting waaaay OT here, but I found this interesting.)
Post by: Manotea on 01 September, 2012, 08:27:42 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 September, 2012, 12:12:25 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 September, 2012, 05:23:41 pm
Post by: Ariadne on 05 September, 2012, 06:14:09 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 September, 2012, 01:06:48 pm
Things I have learnt about my crawl
- I have a very powerful kick (as I said to the coach, a few years of cycling round Edinburgh hills does wonders for the leg muscles
- some of my difficulties are because I try to make my arms go as fast as my legs. If I accept my arms should be going slowly, I'm much better
- I breathe well from my left side when I'm rotated onto my right, but I have difficulty rotating onto my left to breathe from my right
- I tend not to keep my head still and let my body rotate around it - my head goes all over the place, my body follows, then I get generally deranged and near-drowning ensues
- if I slow my breathing down to every third arm stroke rather than after every pair of arm strokes, I do much better
- doing a proper crawl is way more tiring than doing a good breaststroke
Things I have begun to learn to do
- to correct the problems as above
- to bring my arms out of the water elbow-first
Nice things the instructor said
- I have a very good kick
- my stroke is much better than she was expecting from my description
- I'm a good natural swimmer*
- I'm doing some things naturally, like when she said concentrate on bringing my arms out elbow-first, she didn't tell me to just relax my forearm but I did it naturally
*My mum was a very good swimmer in her youth; she swam breaststroke for the county and the air force (but she was never any good at any other stroke), and she used to coach as well. She taught my brother and I to swim, the basics anyway, and then took us for "proper" learn to swim lessons at the sports centre when I was about 7 and he was about 5. She said that I had picked up the basics of the stroke immediately, but the sports centre lessons gave me the confidence to know I could do it, and she still says that she could tell immediately that I was a very good natural swimmer. At the same time, my dad's younger brother, who also swam competitively, was also teaching his kids to swim, and pushing them very hard to swim competitively, dragging them out of bed at all hours to train before school, spending the weekends ferrying them round to competitions and really making them do it. They were both good, particularly his daughter, but as soon as they got old enough to choose, they stopped. My mum says she really thinks I could have been properly good, and she asked me if I wanted to join a club, but seeing the experiences of my cousins put me right off, and I never did. She also says she caused family disharmony by telling my uncle that my cousins were good because of all their drilling, but neither of them had anywhere near the natural ability I had. ;D
So, I'm really glad I went. My plan is to keep practising, and then book either another one-to-one session or a series of group lessons in a month's time (four or five group lessons is the same price as one individual session) if I think I need it. The main thing is to keep practising and repeating what she taught me until I'm doing it naturally.
My hip was sore by the end, but that was after 40 minutes or so, rather than the 20 minutes of breaststroke I can do without pain. We were in the diving pool, which is only 25m long. I was v excited when I did a length in 30 seconds as my time for a length of breaststroke just now is about 90 seconds (I could do it faster if my hip was better) and then I realised I'd only done 25m, not 50! ;D
ETA: I'm still buzzing from it. It's been such a shit year, with my hip and the whooping cough. I feel like my whole year has been I can't do [insert activity of your choice] easily, or for long, or without a lot of pain, or at all, so some time spent being told that I'm doing pretty well at something has really perked me up. I have a pilates class tomorrow - might go for a swim straight after. :D
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 September, 2012, 02:50:31 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 September, 2012, 10:10:44 am
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 September, 2012, 01:26:09 pm
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 10 September, 2012, 08:52:26 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 September, 2012, 09:27:33 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 September, 2012, 05:37:23 pm
It was still awful. Half the pool was roped off for competition training, fair enough. For public swimming there was a fast lane and a bit, and a slow lane and a bit - no medium lane - and the remaining 1/4 of the pool was just left as open water. The open water was stowed out with kids practising their running bombs and just mucking about, which is fair enough, I've done my fair share of it, but it means there was hardly any space for the lane swimming. The two lanes were rammed, and because there was no medium lane, the slow lane was full of people swimming too fast for it, leading to awkward overtaking moments. If I do a length of crawl I need a couple of minutes gasping time at the end before I'm fit to go again and there just wasn't the space for that, so I had to keep doing lengths of breaststroke as recovery lengths, so I'm going to be sore later. I did ten lengths in under 20 minutes and then left because it was so horrible. I've never not enjoyed a swimming session before. I wish they'd sort out Leith Waterworld so people could do their fun swimming there.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 September, 2012, 12:35:53 pm
Post by: mr magnolia on 18 September, 2012, 02:11:14 pm
Enjoy the prom and then a nice pootle home.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 September, 2012, 03:31:02 pm
There is every chance I will fall asleep in the water. ;D
Post by: clarion on 19 September, 2012, 03:35:39 pm
I must try swimming again. I'm banned from that for weeks yet. I know I've been riding my bike during that ban, but I think it's different. I've got the cycling muscles, and it's better riding than being shoved around on a train. Swimming I'm not very good at, and involves me using my arms a lot more...
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 September, 2012, 03:40:18 pm
Post by: clarion on 19 September, 2012, 03:41:39 pm
Post by: Butterfly on 19 September, 2012, 06:03:49 pm
Post by: mattc on 19 September, 2012, 06:25:13 pm
Well, that's good news, sort of. ;DIf you're a strong-ish swimmer (i.e. not me) you can make good progress with various side-on and backstroke variations, just using your feeble arm for balance. You're less likely to fall off and re-damage something, but I guess you need to pretty confident about safe 1-armed pool entry/exit [pools vary a lot in the facilities available].
I must try swimming again. I'm banned from that for weeks yet. I know I've been riding my bike during that ban, but I think it's different. I've got the cycling muscles, and it's better riding than being shoved around on a train. Swimming I'm not very good at, and involves me using my arms a lot more...
I saw a program about people doing stuff like this in London; it was on CH4 earlier in the month, IIRC ... ;D
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 September, 2012, 08:52:10 pm
I got there a bit early so I was watching the kids having diving lessons while I waited. One girl, maybe in her early teens, looks like one to watch - she was really good, and she was going off the very highest platform. And one boy I saw was struggling with his speed and went in feet first more often than not. ;D I liked that when either of them did something right all the coaches and the lifeguards clapped.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 21 September, 2012, 07:38:57 am
ETA: I'm still buzzing from it. It's been such a shit year, with my hip and the whooping cough. I feel like my whole year has been I can't do [insert activity of your choice] easily, or for long, or without a lot of pain, or at all, so some time spent being told that I'm doing pretty well at something has really perked me up. I have a pilates class tomorrow - might go for a swim straight after. :D
That made me want to go swimming! Which I haven't done for Far Too Long, actually. Hmmm.... *peruses calendar*
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 September, 2012, 09:26:18 pm
Tonight I was working on looooong arms, and better rotation. I am improving, but not consistently yet.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 October, 2012, 08:46:03 pm
Then she gave me new stuff to work on and it all went to hell. ;D
It was fun in the diving pool tonight because there was diving coaching going on, and some of the divers were trying very difficult stuff, so the coach used a switch to make a giant plume of bubbles erupt in the middle of the pool, to break up the water surface a bit and give them a softer landing if they mucked it up. So it was like swimming through a giant jacuzzi. ;D The wash did tend to throw me against the side of the pool though. :D
Also awesome was the diving coach saying to my swimming coach "Why is she having swimming lessons? She's a lovely swimmer." :D :D O:-)
Less awesome was me walking home, getting in and realising I'd walked home with my blue plastic shoe covers on. ::-) :-[
Post by: Kim on 03 October, 2012, 09:11:19 pm
Less awesome was me walking home, getting in and realising I'd walked home with my blue plastic shoe covers on. ::-) :-[
Gosh, it's been years since I've done that.
Post by: bobb on 03 October, 2012, 09:28:07 pm
Post by: Butterfly on 03 October, 2012, 09:40:22 pm
Blue plastic shoe covers?! What are they for? They sound incredibly uncool whatever they are..They are to keep your saddle dry whilst you are in the supermarket or in your tent. :smug:
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 October, 2012, 04:31:38 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 October, 2012, 07:13:02 pm
Post by: LEE on 09 October, 2012, 07:31:29 pm
Start breathing out as your head re-enters the water -- there shouldn't be much breath-holding at all, just IN-ooooooout, IN-ouuuuuut...
Also, try to concentrate on timing your breath with your pull. As you pull, you make a wake around your head, and your mouth has plenty of clear air. :thumbsup:
This is how I learned (Rolf Harris on TV actually). Blow a constant stream of bubbles out of your nose, timed just right so you are ready to breathe in once your head pops up. That way you aren't trying to exhale and inhale in a split second.
No need to use pursed lips to breathe in, that's too slow. If you are "taking on water" then your head is too low, pull down with your arms more and get a few more inches of elevation.
Breast stroke is supremely inefficient, too much energy wasted on vertical motion and not streamlined at all.
Post by: ran doner on 09 October, 2012, 07:41:02 pm
Breast stroke is supremely inefficient, too much energy wasted on vertical motion and not streamlined at all.
Inefficient sounds perfect.
My main interest in swimming is in keeping weight off but I'm also interested in improving upper body and core strength to aid with cycling longer distances in comfort (relative to now). Which begs the question of which strokes, in which proportion of total swim might deliver the best results ?
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 October, 2012, 07:47:44 pm
Breast stroke is supremely inefficient, too much energy wasted on vertical motion and not streamlined at all.But strangely, I find it much less tiring and can do it for much longer than any other stroke. So in terms of endurance, for me it's very efficient.
Post by: simonp on 09 October, 2012, 09:19:10 pm
When Feline and I went swimming a week and a bit ago, I was able to swim alternate lengths crawl and breast stroke while she swam breast stroke, head out of the water. She was arguably faster overall.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 October, 2012, 09:35:00 am
I did 10 x 50m lengths this morning and my average time per length was under 1m30s for the first time. :D
Post by: ran doner on 23 October, 2012, 10:41:29 am
Took 54 minutes and the last 10 (25m) laps were done in about 6 minutes as the pool was about to close.
I've found that front crawl is way easier for a steady swim.
Now have to work out what my next challenge will be.
Post by: LEE on 23 October, 2012, 10:44:49 am
Breast stroke is supremely inefficient, too much energy wasted on vertical motion and not streamlined at all.
Inefficient sounds perfect.
My main interest in swimming is in keeping weight off but I'm also interested in improving upper body and core strength to aid with cycling longer distances in comfort (relative to now). Which begs the question of which strokes, in which proportion of total swim might deliver the best results ?
Butterfly
Front-crawl (done properly) is not such a great workout unless you really do some sprinting. Done badly it's probably a decent workout. The local swimming club often use a roped-off section of the pool to train. As they glide by at 3x my speed, it's fairly obvious that they really aren't putting much effort in.
Given that you may get thrown out of your local pool if you do Butterfly then Breast-stroke will give you the better overall workout.
Post by: CrinklyLion on 23 October, 2012, 10:51:05 am
Post by: LEE on 23 October, 2012, 10:53:10 am
I used to go to an "early bird" session, 7:30-8:30am. Back home for 9 feeling absolutely refreshed and awake.
This may inspire me to go and buy some tickets for those sessions.
Post by: ran doner on 23 October, 2012, 12:11:25 pm
If i tried some butterfly i think the lifeguards might die laughing at the thrashing going on in the pool.
Seriously cant even remember doing any butterfly as a kid. I think i'll wait until i've got a bit more endurance before i give it a go.
Might start working up my distances between
Post by: CrinklyLion on 23 October, 2012, 12:14:20 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 November, 2012, 10:37:21 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 11 November, 2012, 04:52:24 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 November, 2012, 01:16:24 pm
I can do the turn, but what I can't do is do the turn, in the right place so my feet actually hit the wall to give me a push-off, and breathe out through my nose all at once. At best I can manage two of the three. ;D I can do it in breaststroke but I'm not supposed to be doing breaststroke. ::-) In crawl, I haven't worked out how to judge the right position and control my breathing all at once.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 November, 2012, 07:52:28 pm
Post by: citoyen on 22 November, 2012, 03:28:52 pm
EG, chapeau to you, and you've inspired me - I'm going to book myself some lessons to get my technique sorted. Currently, my pace and endurance are OK by non-swimmer standards but I've entered one triathlon in 2013 and I'm hoping to do some more, so I need to raise my game...
d.
Post by: JJ on 22 November, 2012, 03:52:25 pm
I've plateaued, owing to super-coach having upped and gone back to the US. Tumble turns are the stuff of dreams.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 November, 2012, 01:14:33 pm
Post by: Butterfly on 25 November, 2012, 09:06:21 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 November, 2012, 07:16:15 am
Post by: L CC on 28 November, 2012, 08:23:16 am
Brilliant :). This thread makes me want to swim more.This.
Well done EG.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 November, 2012, 05:37:56 pm
Post by: De Sisti on 29 November, 2012, 08:59:48 pm
We also had "free passes" for the local council swimming pool.
The last time I went into a swimming pool (two years ago) I just about managed to do 8 lengths
(front crawl). :-[
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2012, 12:34:12 pm
I just swam a mile. Well, a bit over a mile - 1650m.
Post by: Biggsy on 02 December, 2012, 01:32:28 pm
(My evil primary school headmistress Miss Edwards and the shockingly cold water of the grim-as-hell local baths may have had something to do with it!)
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 December, 2012, 02:02:15 pm
Post by: SteveC on 02 December, 2012, 04:43:33 pm
Plus look for lessons for less confident adults. Very different from the school 'throw them in, watch them dodge the icebergs, and fish out the ones that stop moving' approach.
S
Post by: barakta on 02 December, 2012, 04:48:35 pm
Brilliant :). This thread makes me want to swim more.This.
Well done EG.
Me too. And the University is building a new sports facility about 4 mins walk from my house :D And I'm on the accessibility consultation (where we're listened to) group :)
Post by: Biggsy on 02 December, 2012, 04:56:03 pm
Another factor has been embarrassment about my skinny body. I think I'm almost past that now, though - not because I've put on much weight, but because the brain cells that care about such things die off with age. Or maybe I've just given up hope of girls fancying me! :)
Post by: Butterfly on 02 December, 2012, 05:05:00 pm
Bigsy, I think everyone worries about what they are going to look like, but generally no-one else cares much. Every week I take the 2 year old to her swimming lesson in Brixton, which takes place at the same time as an aquafit type class, which is a brilliant example of how different people can enjoy the pool - the age range is from about 30s to 70s, the weight range from under- to obese (admittedly, tending towards the latter) and all colours and races - including ladies in swimming headscarves. It's fab. Go for it - book a lesson and give it a go. :)
Post by: ran doner on 03 December, 2012, 10:43:49 am
I went for it from the off last night and managed a single breaststroke
interval of 1500m. ;D
Took me 38:24 and felt OK at the end. The ankles were feeling it and
my shoulders tight, but i did a few easy freestyle intervals to get me
up to 2000m and called it a day. All in under an hour. :)
Now gonna have to work up to the same doing freestyle.
Post by: CountrySickness on 03 December, 2012, 11:32:23 am
Post by: hellymedic on 03 December, 2012, 01:56:50 pm
Great feeling of triumph!
(I did this 40 years ago in the summer holidays; one day, I thought I'd see how far I could go & did 28 x 33 metre lengths but didn't feel tired. Next day I did 54 lengths...)
Post by: andrew_s on 06 December, 2012, 05:39:54 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 06 December, 2012, 06:02:41 pm
I'm just coming to the end of 13 weeks intermediate lessons (only about £70 for the 13, 1 hour sessions here in Wales), I've been pondering it for ages (after nearly drowning in the Caribbean in March), but as others have said, just do it it's remarkable how much technique will improve, I went form not being able to do a length of crawl in 1st lesson to having some form of technique within a few weeks, all very friendly too as all students are in the same, er,Yeah, I knew I was getting a better technique when my arms and hands started aching! ;Dboatchilly council pool. Now it's mainly fitness and getting strength in my skinny cyclist's arms ::-)
I'm just in from doing 600m and I did my fastest time for a 50m length yet - 1m23s. I've done that time for 2x25m but I'm generally 10s slower over the full length of the pool.
Post by: SteveC on 06 December, 2012, 06:34:02 pm
The trick with swimming seems to be to start early (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-20581126).That's rather wonderful!
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 December, 2012, 04:36:10 pm
Post by: JJ on 08 December, 2012, 09:29:20 pm
Another factor has been embarrassment......
JFDI Biggsy!!
Get involved with lessons or coaching so that you are too busy to feel embarrassed about anything.
And report back here.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 December, 2012, 01:42:07 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 December, 2012, 06:09:38 pm
Post by: mike on 10 December, 2012, 06:46:56 pm
I just swam a mile. Well, a bit over a mile - 1650m.
I missed this - bloody brilliant EG! Congratulations.
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 14 December, 2012, 09:06:01 pm
20 ish years ago I took up windsurfing, but was somewhat limited by the fact I couldn't swim, so always wited till the tide /wind direction was right. I did have a bouyancy aid on but it still gave me the willies. So at 30+ i learnt to swim. I'm quite compettive, but not overly so, and I found the group class a better approach, as I could pitch myself against another beginner, and try to learn faster, be quicker etc. I think I had 2 sets of lessons each prob 6 lessons each, and I was there. I still cannot swim the crawl. I beats me WHY they always insist on ramming this one down peoples throats, we don't all want to be champions, we just want to swim. Consequently I can swim the breaststroke, and can keep up with front crawl swimmers, (not good ones tho') Within no time i was additcted , and EVERY lunctime I would drive to the pool, rush in swim 1 mile (66 lengths IIRC) in about 40 mins breast stroke, nip out , shower and back to work. i find breastsroke almost effortless, , when i kick, my arms are stretched out and I glide , torpedo like, then pull back with the arms and kick again. secret to a good kick is practice, by doing things like swimming 4-6 lengths just using your breaststroke kick, whilst hold your hands behind your back. Dont swim that much now as its too bl@@dy dear round here, but when I do, I still manage a mile, but not as quick. shame its so dear, about £6.60 a go.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 December, 2012, 07:03:31 am
Post by: SteveC on 17 December, 2012, 07:38:32 am
*points to ticker*:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Impressive! Well done!
Post by: adenough on 31 December, 2012, 08:14:01 pm
I learned at the local council pool and it was fine. They were great and everybody was [excuse the pun] in the same boat. We had the pool to ourselves after public swimming finished. Best thing I have ever done. I love the feel of the water and find I can swim all day doing different strokes, but do I get bored silly after 40mins. I'm still crap at crawl but I manage. The best thing when I was learning was first being taught to glide. Once you have mastered that, everything else is IMO easy. Gliding between strokes makes swimming so much smoother and efortless.
I subsequently taught all my four children how to swim and have rescued two people out of the treacherous depths of a swimming pool. One a young girl in difficulties in Butlins and a few weeks ago a guy who had a fit and disappeared under the water in the local pool. Small things, but good that I could swim because I was the only other person in the water.
Now I can go swimming with my grandchildren. It's lovely.
Post by: Biggsy on 31 December, 2012, 08:19:16 pm
So what sort of swimming trunks shall I get? Baggy shorts or budgie smugglers? :D
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 31 December, 2012, 08:25:16 pm
Post by: hellymedic on 01 January, 2013, 01:13:44 am
Get budgie smugglers cos you don't want to be distracted by your own waving wobblies.
Post by: ran doner on 01 January, 2013, 11:07:02 am
So what sort of swimming trunks shall I get? Baggy shorts or budgie smugglers? :D
I went for both in the same trunk.
Long legged budgie smugglers.
Speedo Endurance+ Jammer were what I bought. They've been great and are quite a popular choice among other swimmers in the pool.
Much like cycling clothes you don't want baggy fit and go for black as then nobody can see you smuggling the budgie.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 January, 2013, 09:15:52 pm
We noticed a couple of things about the swimmers. The first thing we noticed was a lot of the swimmers had very very poor techniques. Most did front crawl, some did breast stroke, and one or two did backstroke, and there were huge variations in technique. Interestingly, some of the fastest people had poor technique, and some of the people with good technique were slow. The other thing we noticed was – well, it wasn’t a thing, it was a person. The swimmers set off in groups of a couple of dozen or so at once, with ten minutes between each group. In one of the later groups, by the end of the first length a man and a woman were in the lead for that group. By the end of the last length, she was at least 40 metres ahead of him. The difference was that she did a tumbleturn at the end of every length and slipped under the divider into the next lane as she pushed off. She easily gained 4-5 metres over the man with every tumbleturn.
I saw @cyclingsurgeon there (saw him about my hip before I saw the hip surgeon). He was there as part of a triathlon relay team; he was doing the cycling part while two other people did the swimming and the running. I hadn’t realised you could do triathlons as a team effort. MacBobb and I had a chat about it and we are thinking that we might enter next year, if we can find a runner. A friend who runs says she might do it. So we shall see. Of course, we might have forgotten all about it by the time it’s time to register, but maybe not.
When I saw the surgeon yesterday, the nurse who was chaperoning the clinic was the person who’d been the swimmer in the Infirmary relay team. Her time for the 400m was 17 minutes – she says she can do faster but she panicked in the water surrounded by so many people. I can do 500m in 15 minutes and with any luck I’ll be faster this time next year. Not being a triathlete or any kind of competitive sports person, I have no idea what sort of times people achieve, so it was good to hear I’m already somewhere in the zone and wouldn’t make a complete arse of myself. As I was leaving clinic she showed me out and said “see you on New Year’s Day” – I said “yeah, and I’ll beat you!” ;D
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 January, 2013, 11:31:23 am
Post by: CrinklyLion on 05 January, 2013, 11:33:53 am
Post by: essexian on 01 February, 2013, 01:55:02 pm
Fed up with waking up every morning this week with some ache or pain or another, (gout yesterday, sore knee this morning for examples), I decided to return to what was my principle form of exercise back in my twenties: swimming.
So, first find a pair of shorts which fit and come up over most of my mega gut and then pick her in doors up from the floor when I explained what I was about to do…. Don’t drowned she said…. “until you tell me where your will and life insurance polices are….” Oh to be supported by the one you love!
I’ve not been to the “new” leisure centre in Stafford (its been open about 5 years) so it was a bit of a surprise to find that men and women change in the same space (there are cubicles to use but felt strange) but was happy to find that I could take my towel (covering my lard) to the pool side, along with my glasses. Glad of that otherwise I would not have found it so short sighted am I!
So how did I get on? Well firstly I have forgotten how to swim! No, not fully but my leg kick was all over the place meaning most of my forward motion came from my arms and that I didn’t get much of a “bob on”. I was quite slow which is to be expected and to be honest, not trying to go fast meant that I could concentrate on breathing and important stuff like that.
Anyway, I did 16 lengths of the 25 metre pool: 400 metres if my maths is any good: way down on what I used to do most mornings way back when the Walthamstow swimming pool was still known as the “new baths”
Will I go again: yes, the people were friendly and no one did anything stupid so it was a nice experience. The only thing to let it down is the lack of Milky Coffee and a Wagonwheel….. the leisure centre did not have a café!
Post by: L CC on 01 February, 2013, 02:32:19 pm
Post by: SteveC on 01 February, 2013, 02:34:00 pm
Post by: essexian on 01 February, 2013, 02:38:58 pm
It could be seen that the lack of wagonwheels was a good thing!
I am sure it is! It was just something I always had after a swim back in the day. ;D (That was when wagonwheels were the size of wagon wheels and not the tiny roundals you get now days!!)
Post by: essexian on 08 February, 2013, 05:54:39 pm
The one thing I have noticed is how slow I am.... the 500m took me over 40 minutes including stops to get my breath back. Nevermind eh, it will come with practice.
So, swimming in the last week...900m, cycling in the same period... nil. Perhaps I should head off to "Yet another swimming forum..." ;D
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 08 February, 2013, 06:10:39 pm
Post by: ran doner on 08 February, 2013, 11:01:16 pm
I can handle not cycling in the cold but my replacement was supposed to be swimming and now I can't even do that and I MISS IT :'(
I hope to be back in the pool in a week. I can't keep my foot still any longer :)
Post by: JJ on 09 February, 2013, 02:56:40 pm
Ran Doner, if you grab a pull-buoy, you can still keep your feet still, and if you're as poor a swimmer as me, actually go faster.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 February, 2013, 05:42:07 pm
Post by: essexian on 10 February, 2013, 07:20:07 am
I just swam my biggest distance yet, 2250m. Tired now.
That is extremely impressive: bet you slept well! ;D :thumbsup:
On to 3 000m?
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 February, 2013, 08:50:43 am
Post by: bobb on 10 February, 2013, 08:54:40 am
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 February, 2013, 10:13:59 am
I did 1100m this morning. I'm a bit achey this morning and I'm saving my energy for babysitting later. O:-)
Post by: essexian on 20 February, 2013, 08:02:15 am
Went swimming yesterday lunchtime… the fourth swim since I started again and did 600m in 50 minutes. Still sssslllllooooowwwwww but it feels easier than before and now I can swim 50m without needing to stop at the turn, which is nice. Also 600m is the longest swim I have done in countless years.
However, this morning I have woken with very sore arms and shoulders. It feels like my legs do after a “long” ride (okay I know 40 to 50 miles isn’t long but it is for me). Normally when I feel like this, I might go and spin a few miles either on the road or on the turbo to get some feeling back into them. Is it worth doing something similar with my arms: swimming today isn’t possible as I don’t have the time but I could do some weights in the gym at lunchtime. Would this help.
Finally, I am thinking of signing up for the 1.5km Swimathon at the end of April. Has anyone done this and if so, any tips regarding what happens on the day?
Post by: Ham on 03 March, 2013, 06:56:50 pm
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 March, 2013, 06:58:10 pm
Post by: hellymedic on 03 March, 2013, 07:03:14 pm
Post by: SteveC on 03 March, 2013, 07:11:33 pm
Today, for the first time EVAH I haz swum a length !!!!!
Well done! I still remember the sense of triumph when I managed that!
(It's all much easier from now on!)
Post by: Ham on 03 March, 2013, 07:59:56 pm
Post by: essexian on 04 March, 2013, 06:56:24 am
..................I was able to carry on doing it without drowning or drinking too much water. I think that's the aim of the game,
It is indeed ;D
Well done on your milestone. :thumbsup:
Post by: essexian on 10 March, 2013, 09:27:40 am
I hope to have enough time on Friday lunchtime to do 1 000m.... and then sleep all afternoon no doubt!
Post by: BrianI on 11 March, 2013, 06:56:25 am
Post by: BrianI on 12 March, 2013, 09:44:53 am
Think I might get back into swimming, seeing as I can get concessionary entry to the cooncil pool as a student! :thumbsup:
Well, just back from an early morning swim (7:15 - 8am) at the shiny new* Carnegie leisure centre.
Ended up doing 30 ends of the 25m pool, so 750m. :thumbsup: All swum using my gangly breast stroke. :-[ No doubt will be stiff and sair tomorrow.... :o
Looking forward to swimming more regularly, and a new pair of trunks ordered! (and a swim cap to go with my long manly hair....)
* Finally reopened after a £17 million 3 year refit in November 2011 - various issues with myself meant I've not been able to get swimming since it reopened.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 March, 2013, 05:45:59 pm
Post by: essexian on 16 March, 2013, 09:44:58 am
This morning with my local pool closed, I took myself down to the newly re-opened pool at Cannock for a few lengths and what a strange place. Firstly, they talk funny (yes, yes, I know everyone in the West Midlands apart from me has an accent but I thought I was in Wolverhampton some of the time!) and secondly, they have a system where you swim up the pool on the left hand side and back down on the right. It works well unless you have never been to the pool before…doh!
Anyway, I only had time to do 900m today but again, it didn’t feel that hard and for a change, I was catching and passing people….perhaps I have picked up some speed?
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 March, 2013, 09:56:43 am
Post by: ran doner on 16 March, 2013, 12:31:00 pm
I want someone to come with me and film me so I can see what I'm doing, because I see some people who are very splashy, and it doesn't feel like I'm as splashy as that but if I was, it would all be behind me anyway and I wouldn't know.
Can't you just ask one of the life guards or the regulars how splashy you are in comparison ?
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 16 March, 2013, 12:55:59 pm
Post by: ran doner on 17 March, 2013, 11:48:18 am
No, I want to be able to see what I'm doing. Also, that would be weird.
Question is who are you going to pay danger money to to use the camera in a swimming pool :o
Can you get video as part of a swimming lesson ?
Try entering a swim meet that videos races ?
Seek out a coach who does video ?
Guess i'm fortunate that my pool is just a swimming club and its the same crowd week in week out
for lane swimming, and everyone is interested in technique and discusses it.
Post by: mike on 17 March, 2013, 05:38:53 pm
No, I want to be able to see what I'm doing. Also, that would be weird.
watching yourself swimming is brilliant; i only realised how horribly not-straight my body was when i had a whole day lesson with video analysis of my swimming. It made a huge difference to me (I went from 22 or 23 strokes per 25m length to 16 or 17, with much less effort). There are some places that do video coaching in swimming tanks with a current, which might be a bit odd but probably easier to film..
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 March, 2013, 05:53:16 pm
Post by: ran doner on 20 March, 2013, 09:50:32 pm
Post by: BrianI on 22 March, 2013, 09:11:05 am
750m including a few lengths attempting the front crawl. Ended up looking like Mr Bean doing his doggy paddle, so promptly went back to breast stroke.... Got one tip from a swimmer in the next lane, apparently I wasn't lifting my arms out of the water enough when I was doing the crawl... So I'll work on that the next time.
Best of all, I've got my concessionary student discount card, so cheap swims! :thumbsup:
Post by: bodach on 22 March, 2013, 09:40:22 am
Post by: Butterfly on 22 March, 2013, 09:58:43 am
[Rant]
The swimming pool changing rooms have lockers that take a non-refundable 20p, so if you want to shower with shampoo and open the locker to remove it, you either have to stump up another 20p or leave it unlocked - that gets expensive after a couple of weeks. I have 2 possible solutions. One is to keep a plastic bag with shampoo and stuff on a peg near the pool. The other is to leave my kit in the lockers in the gym changing room which takes a refundable £1 so you can open it as much as you like. I am going to try option 2 because the other design flaw is that there are no private showers in the pool area, so you can't have a strip down wash (it's communal changing or I would). Unfortunately the gym changing is at the other end of the building on a different floor, but it is segregated. I will probably need 2 towels and possibly some kind of wrap so I can pass as 'dry' for the dry side changing though. I do have a dress that might work...
[/Rant]
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 March, 2013, 11:57:18 am
Post by: Kim on 22 March, 2013, 04:07:19 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 March, 2013, 05:31:09 pm
*it's all relative
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 March, 2013, 04:50:49 pm
Post by: Kim on 23 March, 2013, 05:19:24 pm
I think the source of my new-found speed is my new swimming costume.It has an integral jetpack. My old one has a layer of "figure-flattering" ruched material over the base costume and the ruching layer is past it, and every time I swim in it it sags out and billows and creates a lot of drag. ;D
I believe that Frenchie is our resident expert in such matters...
Post by: essexian on 24 March, 2013, 02:50:30 pm
I was well fast* again today. Average time per length 82 seconds, fastest length 76 seconds. I think someone is putting performance-enhancing drugs in my soup.
*it's all relative
Just wondering which time keeping piece you use to keep such accurate times. I am interested in getting a swimming watch but don’t know which one would be best. Any suggestions gratefully received.
And now, a rant….. faster swimmers especially ones with quick but really horrible style wise front crawl. DON’T swim in the slow lane with us near drowners please. You ploughing up and down doing two lengths in the time it takes me to do one is not big or clever. I was not the only one to call you a “t*sser” and suggest that you go into the fast or semi fast lane…. But no, you wanted to make yourself look big by trying to intimidate us slower swimmers…did it work, no it didn’t. Arsehole.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 24 March, 2013, 04:07:58 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 01 April, 2013, 03:56:33 pm
Post by: SteveC on 01 April, 2013, 10:28:04 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 April, 2013, 02:58:37 pm
Post by: essexian on 23 April, 2013, 11:22:20 am
Post by: citoyen on 30 April, 2013, 12:31:32 pm
I went off quick enough, but my arms very soon started to ache and feel heavy and I was noticeably slowing down towards the end. Also, I lost a lot of time at the end of each length through not being able to tumble-turn. I even stopped a couple of times to catch my breath.
I lost four minutes to the fastest competitors on the swim - and I lost less than that to some of them on the 25km bike leg!
Really need to work on my technique before the London Tri in July, which has a 1.5km swim... :o
Post by: LEE on 30 April, 2013, 06:25:49 pm
There was a woman in the pool today who has the smoothest front crawl I have ever seen. She was absolutely splashless. She's like a swimming ninja.
I used to do early morning lane swimming. Once a week one lane was used by the local swimming club for training. Watching them glide past me, effortlessly, made me feel about as graceful as a drowning Giraffe.
Post by: Christophe on 19 June, 2013, 02:13:23 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 June, 2013, 05:38:38 pm
Post by: Gattopardo on 23 June, 2013, 04:20:50 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 July, 2013, 08:50:32 pm
I am determined to make it to 150km this week.
Post by: Redjeep! on 04 August, 2013, 10:43:00 pm
Post by: LEE on 03 September, 2013, 02:25:27 pm
On holiday I always use the pool and it reminds me how much I like swimming so I finally got round to buying some "Early bird" tickets and started going before work.
I'm lucky that our small town has a great pool and leisure centre (obviously an admin error somewhere in local government).
What I notice is that it's so warm. Swimming on holiday is always an opportunity to cool down but I have to say it's a bit too warm in our local pool.
I always feel great afterwards but I need to stand around outside to cool down. I'm a "nesh sod" but even I can just walk into the pool without flinching. I think it should always make you gasp slightly, as you take your first plunge.
I hear that competition pools are extremely warm
Anyway, I spent a couple of mornings trying to teach myself to breathe on both sides of my front-crawl. Eventually I gave up as it was attracting the attention of the lifeguards.
Back to Breast-stroke and right-sided breathing on front-crawl.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 04 September, 2013, 08:59:39 pm
Post by: The_Mikey on 08 September, 2013, 07:32:38 am
So all the people who don't usually do lane swimming were in the slow lane - the women who want to swim side by side, yakking, with perfectly dry heads, the people who think front crawl means lifting your entire upper body out of the water and flailing your arms around while you twist from side to side at the waist and never get your face wet, the people who want to cling to the sides and the ends in a group of 6...
That happened to me on thursday, although the attendants did get the message when there were at least four people trying to do front crawl between the people who were there to chat and those who don't really swim, we got our lane back!
Post by: essexian on 18 September, 2013, 03:29:35 pm
While I knocked out 600m and could have done more, my arms are still sore. I really should learn to use my legs.
Talking about temperature, while the pool (Wellington Shropshire, not been there before) was fine (if a little dark, there is no natural light!) the changing room was freezing! I spoke to the attendent afterwards who said the heating wouldn't be turned on until the end of the month!
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 September, 2013, 05:11:52 pm
Post by: JJ on 18 September, 2013, 05:33:10 pm
I just tried 50m front crawl and nearly drowned twice. ;D I need to see the swimming coach, I think.
My-oh-my Gallumbits! How things change!
:thumbsup:
Post by: Ham on 18 September, 2013, 07:06:29 pm
My-oh-my Gallumbits! How things change!
:thumbsup:
Is it just me that can't help hearing that to the tune of Delilah?
earworm now firmly planted with everyone. Hah.
Post by: essexian on 08 October, 2013, 08:44:55 am
Not bad for a fat bloke who hadn't been swimming for early 10 years back in March.
Now, need to work on my speed as I am still being overtaken my non swimmers. :facepalm:
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 October, 2013, 12:30:00 pm
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 09 October, 2013, 03:06:41 pm
I had to regain my confidence all over again although I did have a bit more than total newbies. I am a strong swimmer now.
For those who sink, I find inflating my lungs is a big help. When you get fit you can keep a fair of air in whilst continuing to breathe and swim.
Post by: LEE on 13 October, 2013, 05:03:49 pm
I've just signed up for a stroke development class which starts at the end of the month.
I may do the same. I'd really like to develop a good freestyle stroke.
Post by: essexian on 15 November, 2013, 01:38:37 pm
To explain, using the watch I am now able to time my intervals with an aim to beating 9mins 40 per 200m (yes, I know that's slow but a month ago I was still above 10mins 20 for such a distance). Its interesting to note (for me that is) that over my last three swims, I have been with 5 seconds for each 200m segment up to 1km.
Feeling a little sore in my left calf and in my neck, but pleased I have made it to 1.5km. On to 2km or should I work on speed next?
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 January, 2014, 09:26:05 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 January, 2014, 08:32:04 pm
Post by: hellymedic on 17 January, 2014, 08:35:30 pm
Post by: mattc on 18 January, 2014, 07:29:16 am
That's like going from a 12mph pootle on the bike to a 36mph sprint. Doable, but pretty extreme!
Post by: L CC on 18 January, 2014, 09:10:43 am
You went 3 times faster?Two times faster. Her steady lengths are 50m lengths as she's lucky enough to have a big pool.
That's like going from a 12mph pootle on the bike to a 36mph sprint. Doable, but pretty extreme!
I just looked up swimming times as they're a bit meaningless to me, and she's going from 25% olympic pace to 50%.
So maybe from 12mph pootle to 24mph. I think I'd still notice that.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 January, 2014, 10:53:54 am
Post by: hellymedic on 18 January, 2014, 12:14:54 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 January, 2014, 03:24:52 pm
I did a km of 40x25 today and my average was about 80s per 50m, which is about normal.
Post by: mattc on 18 January, 2014, 04:06:08 pm
Maybe the pool was downhill.That would explain it. Far more likely than me not actually reading your post properly ...
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 January, 2014, 05:44:51 pm
Post by: essexian on 23 January, 2014, 11:09:50 am
Now I know that this is ssssslllllooooowwwww by "normal" standard I am pleased as the first 800m swim I have logged (9 months ago) was 8 mins slower than this so if I continue to improve, I might get down to sub 30 mins by the end of the year.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 February, 2014, 08:56:36 pm
Post by: CrinklyLion on 08 February, 2014, 10:30:19 am
*works out that means it was over 6 years ago*
*thinks about how few swimming sessions there have been since quitting lessons 6 months after SmallestCub was born*
*thinks that she really ought to try to start swimming again*
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 February, 2014, 09:27:31 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 28 March, 2014, 08:50:43 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 June, 2014, 03:18:42 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 June, 2014, 04:15:06 pm
I think she missed the bit where I got so carried away I did three in a row without breathing in, turned purple and nearly died. ;D
The Commie is closed now until mid-August for the Commonwealth Games. Bah and grumble. >:(
Post by: JJ on 24 June, 2014, 06:05:17 pm
I just tried 50m front crawl and nearly drowned twice. ;D I need to see the swimming coach, I think.
What a difference a couple (not quite) of years makes!
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 August, 2014, 09:48:15 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 October, 2014, 08:41:04 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 07 November, 2014, 08:34:23 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 19 December, 2014, 11:09:52 pm
Post by: LEE on 20 December, 2014, 12:07:34 am
It's just that I don't understand it as a stroke (unless you are competing in a Butterfly event). It's not as fast as freestyle and yet it's the most energy-intense stroke. Nobody swam to safety using Butterfly.
I don't particularly understand why swimming competitions insist on different strokes, in the same way I don't understand the 50km walk event (when people can run it faster).
Sub-dividing a mode of locomotion into sub-categories just involves a whole raft of unnecessary judges to check everyone is conforming to the rules that make them slower.
Post by: Peter on 20 December, 2014, 10:23:44 am
I suppose it's a bit like the difference between Newcastle (or Stockport) and Barcelona: they both have the same aim, to get the ball into the net but the methods bear no resemblance to each other, though Barcelona are improving.....
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 December, 2014, 11:07:39 am
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 December, 2014, 12:47:55 pm
Post by: hellymedic on 29 December, 2014, 01:48:20 pm
Keep going; you will get there!
Eventually.
I never managed butterfly myself.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 29 December, 2014, 03:06:32 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 December, 2014, 08:20:26 am
Post by: CrinklyLion on 03 January, 2015, 05:11:30 pm
Also, I'm still quite smug that I learned it when I was about 7 months pregnant.
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 04 January, 2015, 08:51:55 pm
I used to be able to do butterfly but that was in the days when I could swim in a not very crowded pool. Now I don't bother, I'd scare too many people! Same goes for back-stroke.
Quote
I would have thought most people cand swim breaststroke for far longer than they can swim crawl.
Crawl is the most efficient stroke for me by far I managed c. 5 miles in the sea a few years ago using crawl. It would have taken too long with breast stroke. I love swimming in the breakers using crawl, i just plunge straight through.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 10 January, 2015, 01:03:41 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 January, 2015, 07:38:02 pm
Edinburgh Leisure's coaching coordinator was there so I spoke to him about some more 1-1 butterfly coaching and got his email address to follow up.
:D
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 February, 2015, 04:05:15 pm
Post by: L CC on 16 February, 2015, 11:18:53 am
Monday at my gym appears to be swimming day. I'm a crap swimmer, but you, skinny girl, should be sitting home eating chocolate not aiming at me with your spear-like front crawl. Be-atch.
(Alternative insults are available for different body shapes and swimming styles. Somewhere else on the internet skinny girl is whingeing about whale-woman who should be jogging somewhere rather than floating pathetically up and down the pool taking up far too much space).
Post by: simonp on 22 April, 2015, 03:24:44 pm
I have been swimming a couple of times a week at lunch time. 1000m each time.
I've progressed from 1:1 crawl:breast stroke to 2:1 to 12:4 to 16:4 and now 1000m of crawl uninterrupted. Three times so far. It was a hard slog on Thursday. It was even harder on Monday (post Audax fatigue). It was relatively easy today. Before the weight training I've been doing, none of this would have been possible, due to insufficient shoulder/arm strength.
Time to start upping the distance, I think.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 April, 2015, 08:09:43 pm
What do we call swimming-faster-than-anyone-else-in-the-pool-in-the-medium-lane guy?That depends on whether he should be in the fast lane or the overtakees should be in the slow lane.
Post by: Peter on 22 April, 2015, 08:52:49 pm
Post by: CrinklyLion on 22 April, 2015, 09:36:23 pm
***This message was brought to you by the member of the fractured-radial-head club who thinks other people should learn from her mistakes***
Post by: simonp on 22 April, 2015, 11:18:15 pm
What do we call swimming-faster-than-anyone-else-in-the-pool-in-the-medium-lane guy?That depends on whether he should be in the fast lane or the overtakees should be in the slow lane.
I'd have voted for him in the fast lane and the lady doing breast stroke in the slow lane then I'd have had the medium lane to myself. (Obviously).
Some in the fast lane were slower than him. Trouble is they were probably there first.
Post by: Peter on 23 April, 2015, 12:00:42 am
It'll come back. Don't push the swimming too much at first and concentrate on technique to avoid making the elbow wibble - or other bits as you compensate. And Do Your Physio! If they haven't referred you for physio - nag until they do.
***This message was brought to you by the member of the fractured-radial-head club who thinks other people should learn from her mistakes***
Cheers, Kat - your advice is appreciated, especially as I am somewhat compulsive about exercise! I am doing my physio (had my second appointment today). The physio thinks things are going well, though he warns I may not get full movement back - though it could happen. Guitar playing is a genuine pain and not just for the listener! I think I may finally be developing maturity because after an achey night, I decided not to go swimming today but leave the next session till Friday. Physio says swimming is fine (I didn't tell him I'm an idiot - I know how to get the answers I need!).
Thanks again
Peter
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 23 April, 2015, 08:03:22 am
If he was faster than some people in the fast lane, he should have been in the fast lane.What do we call swimming-faster-than-anyone-else-in-the-pool-in-the-medium-lane guy?That depends on whether he should be in the fast lane or the overtakees should be in the slow lane.
I'd have voted for him in the fast lane and the lady doing breast stroke in the slow lane then I'd have had the medium lane to myself. (Obviously).
Some in the fast lane were slower than him. Trouble is they were probably there first.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 May, 2015, 10:21:31 pm
Post by: canny colin on 22 May, 2015, 10:43:57 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 20 July, 2015, 09:59:40 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 July, 2015, 05:47:41 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 12 September, 2015, 12:14:55 pm
Post by: LEE on 14 September, 2015, 02:15:06 pm
I'm never sure why I stop because I find it the best start to the day imaginable ("Early Bird" sessions from 7-8am). There's definitely an inertia I need to overcome.
Post by: numbnuts on 14 September, 2015, 06:21:14 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 16 September, 2015, 12:30:16 am
Started off doing 1:1 crawl:breaststroke and slowly moved to 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 and then all crawl.
Sep 2014: 264m, 515m, 666m
Oct 2014: 931m, 980m, 1229m, 1440m
Nov 2014: 1552m, 1465m, 2163m, 1265m, 1176m
Dec 2014: 2600m, 490m, 1532m
Jan 2015: 1199m, 2352m, 490m, 2927m
Feb 2015: (holidays), 1264m
Mar 2015: 2716m, 1665m, 462m, 4137m, 2597m, 1332m
Apr 2015: 5128m, 4578m, 4462m
May 2015: 4841m
(Pool then almost shutdown for refurbishment, I could never go when it was open to everyone and so I stopped).
Luckily I can channel my inner Audaxer when swimming and spend 1h30 in a pool doing endless lengths without getting bored.
Back onto it now after those 4 months off and all stamina has gone:-
Sep 2015: 441m, 686m
After both of those I was utterly knackered (mind you, I did do the first 100m of each swim in ~85s, way too fast as my pacing has gone).
Had swimming coaching for years when I was younger and competed for the county aged 12/13 and luckily the technique seems to have stayed with me. Those big swims (4k+) were done at an average of 115s/100m (just pull, no kicking, all of them done with a pull buoy between my legs). Seem to have the lung capacity for it too as I only need to breathe every 4 strokes (always used to have to breathe every 3 when younger).
Should be back up to 5k swims by Jan, and hopefully 10k a week total volume (5k, 3k faster, 2k of drills)
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 18 September, 2015, 11:47:51 am
Post by: BobScarle on 29 September, 2015, 12:22:47 am
However, another winter is rapidly approaching and I am thinking once more of the pool. I lack confidence in the water but if I can overcome my fear I want to swim. I can be a swimmer, I know I can.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 30 September, 2015, 12:34:14 pm
Post by: BobScarle on 30 September, 2015, 11:49:35 pm
Post by: Dibdib on 09 December, 2015, 09:03:33 pm
Anyway, on a bit of a whim tonight I cycled over to my local pool. I even had to buy some swimming shorts when I got there because the ones on the bottom of the wardrobe had no chance of fitting me. Anyway, I lost count of how many lengths I managed but I was in the pool for about an hour. Stuck to breaststroke as that's pretty much all I feel confident with - I tried one 25m length of front crawl but struggled with pacing it comfortably.
I actually really enjoyed it, even though I'm knackered now and my knee feels a little stiff. I'm going to try a few more pay-as-you-go swims between now and Christmas, then maybe sign up for a membership in the new year - I'd like to get into a habit of swimming twice a week if I take to it.
Edit: turns out Milton Road is a 33m pool, not a 25m pool. I clearly wasn't paying attention, but at least it explains why I'm knackered!
Post by: essexian on 02 January, 2016, 09:36:19 am
Looking back to my records, it seems the last time I went swimming was the 8th Feb 2014 when I did 1 100m in just over 51 minutes. So, I was not surprised when I was a little slower during my post Christmas swim but 400m in 18 minutes 51 sec is worse than I could have thought!
Feeling quite miserable about this, I have signed up for some coaching and tried again this morning managing 800m in 38min 26. That's still VERY slow! One final thing I notice is that whereas I used to be able to do 200m and then rest, I am now resting after every 50m.
I suppose my swim fitness will come back but I do seem to have gone backwards very quickly.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 02 January, 2016, 07:27:58 pm
Post by: Dibdib on 04 January, 2016, 10:05:59 pm
I actually really enjoyed it, even though I'm knackered now and my knee feels a little stiff.
Had a few more swims since this, including a trip to the pool yesterday morning. My right knee is now very sore. Bum. Only when I bend it, but it's fine bearing weight, and it's just on the inside of my knee just below the kneecap.
Any tips from the swimmers on how to help it heal, besides ibuprofen and rest? I'm guessing prevention is "less breaststroke" in future :(
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 05 January, 2016, 12:22:41 pm
Post by: essexian on 06 January, 2016, 02:20:52 pm
The bad news is that I now have a very sore hip from where some **** kicked me whilst attempting to "swim." One day I will be able to afford my own pool so won't have to share with such people. Sorry, I know this is a rant but it hurts still 2 hours later.
Post by: epa611 on 06 January, 2016, 03:34:01 pm
I actually really enjoyed it, even though I'm knackered now and my knee feels a little stiff.
Had a few more swims since this, including a trip to the pool yesterday morning. My right knee is now very sore. Bum. Only when I bend it, but it's fine bearing weight, and it's just on the inside of my knee just below the kneecap.
Any tips from the swimmers on how to help it heal, besides ibuprofen and rest? I'm guessing prevention is "less breaststroke" in future :(
Sounds like a screw kick where your feet/legs are not in the correct position. Quick google shows this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlzKxGk-7NM) which seems quite good! (I'm ex Scottish and GB junior squad butterfly and IM).
Go get some lessons to get this sorted or the pain will get worse.
Try to do front crawl leg kicks with a float until it recovers and once healed, alternate strokes.
Paul
Post by: Dibdib on 07 January, 2016, 09:05:53 am
I went back to the pool last night and really tried to concentrate on slowing down and making sure I frog kick rather than whip kick, and it seems to have made a decent improvement. My next aim is to get a bit of fitness and a bit more mileage in the pool and then maybe look at joining a masters team for some coaching and a bit of a social side.
Post by: ian on 07 January, 2016, 12:19:46 pm
I did another couple of sessions at the 50m Olympic pool over the holidays. Now back in the local 25 metre pool. It's so short, I'm forever bloody well turning and avoiding listing-to-starboard grannies and Mr Bloody Rotavator and his whirling arms.
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2016, 03:14:29 pm
Wowbagger posted elsewhere his disappointment that he only had a 25m pool in Southend.
The twin 33m pools at Swiss Cottage are no more.
How long is your local pool?
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 January, 2016, 03:26:11 pm
It seems that a proper Olympic size pool is 50m * 25m. There are 33 pools which are 50m * 18m. That would do, I reckon: I wouldn't think that the budding olympic athlete would care about how wide the pool is as long as they didn't have to turn every 25m.
Post by: essexian on 14 January, 2016, 03:38:30 pm
Talking about Coaching, I had my first session last friday when "Coach Carol" told me that despite the fact that I can travel 800 to 1200m in the water, I can't actually swim....! It seems my arm pull is all wrong and my leg kick belongs to something other than a swimmer.
So, on Tuesday and earlier today I went to the pool to try out what she had shown me and frankly I have no idea what I am doing and could hardly make any progress down the pool. I do feel I have gone backwards and simply don't have the required coordination. It really has knocked my confidence and makes me wonder if I should bother going for more coaching.
When I talked to CBH about this I was told not to be so stupid...very supporting eh... and that the coach knows what she is talking about and over time it will all become clear. I am sure CBH is right but it doesn't feel like that at the moment.
Oh...and the person who kicked me last week was in the pool today. Strangely they kept well away from me today!
Post by: hellymedic on 14 January, 2016, 04:02:35 pm
I can't imagine your coach to have a similar shape to yours and some movements aren't possible.
I know my technique improved by just doing the distance. Lots of practice and repetition improved my efficiency.
I never was going to be an Olympic swimmer (but I was happy to do up to 100 x 33 metre lengths of breaststroke).
Keep swimming!
Post by: JJ on 14 January, 2016, 04:26:02 pm
"Coach Carol" told me that ... I can't actually swim....!
(Speaking as a coach) It sounds to me as if she was trying to say you've got plenty to work on, but chose rather unfortunate words to express that.
The good news is that, with plenty to work on, you've a good chance of making rapid progress! I'd suggest trying to filter out the negative language and focus on the drills, drills, and more drills that will surely be suggested!
Enjoy learning!
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 January, 2016, 04:40:53 pm
It's a while since I have swum but it seems the 33m pool is in decline and 50m pools are a rarity.25m
Wowbagger posted elsewhere his disappointment that he only had a 25m pool in Southend.
The twin 33m pools at Swiss Cottage are no more.
How long is your local pool?
Post by: Dibdib on 14 January, 2016, 04:50:16 pm
Post by: ian on 14 January, 2016, 06:13:53 pm
Post by: Wowbagger on 14 January, 2016, 06:48:19 pm
The only heated indoor 50m pool I have swum in was at Millfield School. I spent about an hour floundering around in it and had it completely to myself. God knows how much it cost to heat it, given that this was the August holidays and there were no students or staff on site.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 14 January, 2016, 06:53:12 pm
Post by: SteveC on 14 January, 2016, 06:59:02 pm
There was also a 20m pool attached to one of the training colleges. The 20m pool cost a tenth of the big pool. In terms of just getting people to learn to swim, it would have made much more sense to have more smaller pools. And we couldn't even use the big one for official galas as it wasn't metric.
(Didn't stop us having the best swimming club in the country at the time, though)
Post by: campagman on 14 January, 2016, 07:24:00 pm
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2016, 12:34:07 am
How long is your local pool?
The University are in the process of molishing a shiny new just-under-50m pool within not-worth-getting-a-bike-out-for distance of here. Much noise was made at the planning stage of it being Birmingham's first Olympic sized pool, but (in a turnout won't shock anyone familiar with barakta's rants) it seems that somebody forgot to allow for the thickness of the grout or something and it's fallen slightly short of the Olympic specification. It appears that hasty re-wording of all the promotional material is cheaper than doing it properly.
Post by: matthew on 15 January, 2016, 06:59:56 am
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 January, 2016, 07:03:10 am
The University are in the process of molishing a shiny new just-under-50m pool within not-worth-getting-a-bike-out-for distance of here. Much noise was made at the planning stage of it being Birmingham's first Olympic sized pool, but (in a turnout won't shock anyone familiar with barakta's rants) it seems that somebody forgot to allow for the thickness of the grout or something and it's fallen slightly short of the Olympic specification. It appears that hasty re-wording of all the promotional material is cheaper than doing it properly.
I recall an instance in Australia where, less than a year after opening, one end of a council pool was rebuilt to add a few centimetres for just that reason.
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2016, 07:27:35 am
I find pools below 25 metres to be a bit of exercise in turning, a couple of strokes and hey-ho, around you go. Fifty metres let's you stretch out and swim. But I agree that I'd rather have lots of widely available 25 metre pools than a few 50 metre pools with limited availability. I make an occasional trip to the Olympic pool and used Ponds Forge in Sheffalump and the Commonwealth in Edinburgh.
Kitsilano pool in Vancouver is a fabulous 140ish metres (heated salt water, but it's been pretty cold when I've been). Now that's a proper length.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 15 January, 2016, 08:08:15 am
It's a while since I have swum but it seems the 33m pool is in decline and 50m pools are a rarity.My nearest is the Royal Commonwealth Pool, which has an Olympic-size pool, a 25 metre pool, and a 25 metre diving pit. Next nearest is Warrender which is 25 yards.
Wowbagger posted elsewhere his disappointment that he only had a 25m pool in Southend.
The twin 33m pools at Swiss Cottage are no more.
How long is your local pool?
Post by: L CC on 15 January, 2016, 10:01:11 am
Sports centre 25m
The other gym has a whole 15m.
You don't need 50 metres if you're not swimming competitively. It's the difference between cycling for sport, and cycling for recreation. How many of us actually race?
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2016, 10:07:55 am
Post by: mike on 15 January, 2016, 10:08:26 am
I had a go in an endless pool over christmas, only about 4m x 2m but a gurt big fan at one end and a dial on the side to turn the current up or down. Exhausting, but great fun not having to turn. With that and a snorkel you could just get on with the swimming!
The best bit was the mirror so you could see yourself swimming - I made some big changes to my stroke and it felt a lot more efficient when I got in the pool this week.
Post by: hellymedic on 15 January, 2016, 01:04:16 pm
I've not done 50m pools much but 33m was nice for distance and more than 7 strokes of my glidy breaststroke.
There was a nice 33m pool at the university when I was a stude and I haunted Swiss Cottage for much of my misspent youth.
Post by: Kim on 15 January, 2016, 01:50:19 pm
I once worked at a university where they'd built the library but forgot to account for the weight of the books. Clue: they're heavy.
Every university seems to have this urban legend. Along with the one about the weight of the water, and the one about the student accommodation falling short of the minimum requirements for a prison cell[1]. (The computer lab where they forgot to allow for the heat of the computers wasn't a myth. Towards the end of the CRT era, every university seemed to have one of those, too.)
While I'm sure these things have all actually happened somewhere at one time or another, they're best treated with a [CITATION NEEDED] when someone shares the witty anecdote about their alma mater.
[1] At UKC we had a variation on this theme, with the Eliot and Rubberfood colleges being designed by the same architect as The Maze prison. This is easily confirmed to be bollocks, as the architect was in fact ripping off a college in Pennsylvania
Post by: JJ on 15 January, 2016, 02:08:51 pm
And a lovely river..
I was a bit put off, after being pursued all the way back from Grantchester by an aggressive swan.
I had a go in an endless pool over christmas.
Where was that Mike?
Fancy swimming Newnham-Grantchester-Newnham together next summer? River swimming is always safer two-up.
Post by: mike on 15 January, 2016, 02:51:07 pm
I had a go in an endless pool over christmas.
Where was that Mike?
Fancy swimming Newnham-Grantchester-Newnham together next summer? River swimming is always safer two-up.
Yes to the river, definitely!
The pool was a private one down near Henley, so not much use for round here. There used to be one in Hauxton 15-20 years ago, I think it's gone now..
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2016, 08:28:54 pm
I once worked at a university where they'd built the library but forgot to account for the weight of the books. Clue: they're heavy.
Every university seems to have this urban legend. Along with the one about the weight of the water, and the one about the student accommodation falling short of the minimum requirements for a prison cell[1]. (The computer lab where they forgot to allow for the heat of the computers wasn't a myth. Towards the end of the CRT era, every university seemed to have one of those, too.)
While I'm sure these things have all actually happened somewhere at one time or another, they're best treated with a [CITATION NEEDED] when someone shares the witty anecdote about their alma mater.
[1] At UKC we had a variation on this theme, with the Eliot and Rubberfood colleges being designed by the same architect as The Maze prison. This is easily confirmed to be bollocks, as the architect was in fact ripping off a college in Pennsylvania
I fear this may be the source (http://articles.courant.com/1994-05-06/news/9405060307_1_new-library-storrs-campus-new-york-architect) of the legend. I still think they're exchanging lawyers over the issue. The building allegedly shed bricks but that might be actual lie, but everyone knew someone who knew someone who had been hit on the head with a brick. It was engulfed in scaffolding and enough safety fences to keep out the Mongol Hoard, but the US does feature litigation as a competitive sport, and parents don't pay $20k a year to have their kids dodge falling bricks, even if it does build character and resilience.
Post by: barakta on 17 January, 2016, 12:06:22 pm
Post by: essexian on 21 January, 2016, 02:07:26 pm
I am attempting to learn to swim it this stroke correctly but am really, really struggling to get the whip kick correct. My coach has told/shown me what to do, as have videos on Youtube. However, whenever I try it, it seems to generate no power at all. Indeed, I hardly seem to move when using and float and thus, without any arm strokes.
So, just out of interest, as a percentage of overall power/forward movement comes from your arms and how much from your legs? If its next to nothing from your legs, then I won’t worry. If, as seems from Youtube it is quite a bit, then I need to seriously practice more!
Thanks in advance.
Post by: Dibdib on 21 January, 2016, 02:10:50 pm
Any breaststroke swimmers out there who can give me some tips/information please.
I am attempting to learn to swim it this stroke correctly but am really, really struggling to get the whip kick correct. My coach has told/shown me what to do, as have videos on Youtube. However, whenever I try it, it seems to generate no power at all. Indeed, I hardly seem to move when using and float and thus, without any arm strokes.
So, just out of interest, as a percentage of overall power/forward movement comes from your arms and how much from your legs? If its next to nothing from your legs, then I won’t worry. If, as seems from Youtube it is quite a bit, then I need to seriously practice more!
Thanks in advance.
I was getting quite a lot of power from a whip kick (probably 30-40% legs, 60-70% arms) but then doing so has knackered my knee, so ymmv.
Trying a more knee-friendly frog kick and pushing back with the soles of my feet more than whipping my feet inwards was noticably less effective.
Post by: Wowbagger on 22 January, 2016, 10:56:07 pm
I have found that 4 lengths take me about 5 minutes. I did another 650 metres (26 lengths) this morning. I am expecting to speed up a bit, as I lose weight, on the simple basis that a floating body (mine) displaces its own weight (120kg) in water. The same effort used to displace 110kg, for example, would presumably move it a bit further. I quite fancy half an hour's swimming 3 times a week. I signed up for the year this morning. Next Wednesday my swimming pal starts a new job for 6 weeks - he will be doing something for TfL to do with cycle lanes - so I will be going on my own for a while. I will probably go twice next week, on Tues and Weds, and will probably go a fair bit earlier. I understand that the pool opens at 7 am. We have been getting there around 9.
Oh, and a small footnote: although Southend's swimming pool is a perfectly ordinary sub-standard 25m job, the diving pool is of olympic standard. The National Diving Cup was being held there this weekend and lots of fish-like people were doing noisy things on the diving boards. For some reason the pool staff/cup organisers didn't want the riff raff watching this happen and there were large barriers up between the two pools.
Post by: ian on 23 January, 2016, 01:24:44 pm
Any breaststroke swimmers out there who can give me some tips/information please.
I am attempting to learn to swim it this stroke correctly but am really, really struggling to get the whip kick correct. My coach has told/shown me what to do, as have videos on Youtube. However, whenever I try it, it seems to generate no power at all. Indeed, I hardly seem to move when using and float and thus, without any arm strokes.
So, just out of interest, as a percentage of overall power/forward movement comes from your arms and how much from your legs? If its next to nothing from your legs, then I won’t worry. If, as seems from Youtube it is quite a bit, then I need to seriously practice more!
Thanks in advance.
I'm not professionally trained (but I have been swimming fifty-a-day for over a decade now) and generally I find a majority of the power comes from my upper body stroke, so I wouldn't worry overly provided you are moving through the water and nothing hurts. Strength will build over time.
Post by: Wowbagger on 26 January, 2016, 11:17:56 am
My pal is off to That London for 6 weeks' work starting tomorrow. His job is with TfL promoting the "cycle superhighways"!
Post by: essexian on 26 January, 2016, 11:23:59 am
Lets hope today's swim is better than Sundays.... I managed to forget to take my towel, floats and pull buoy so had go and buy some stuff from the local ASDA...doh! Thankfully, I had put my shorts on before I left home, otherwise there would have been quite a sight in the pool in Stafford. :sick:
Post by: Tigerrr on 01 February, 2016, 02:52:40 pm
I would quite like to swim the Thames from Lechlade to Reading - but only if the water is warm enough. In the meantime I am going to try some sea swimming off the Costa Blanca this spring.
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 February, 2016, 09:37:48 am
Post by: essexian on 17 February, 2016, 01:57:13 pm
I ask as I seem to be breathing in half a pool full of water whilst trying to learn how to breathe whilst doing front crawl.
Any suggestions/ comments etc gratefully received.
Post by: ian on 17 February, 2016, 04:50:13 pm
Use the Speedo competition ones (with the metal bridge), they're easier to adjust, more comfortable, and work. The plastic ones are horrible.
Post by: Wowbagger on 17 February, 2016, 11:02:17 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 February, 2016, 12:40:55 pm
Post by: essexian on 23 February, 2016, 01:59:13 pm
Also an improvement...and no laughing at the back, I managed my first 50m non stop swim today and did it in 1 min 40. Now before I started having coaching, I was able to swim a couple of hundred metres without stopping so I suppose I have gone backwards to a degree. However, my previous time for 50m would be well over 2 minutes, so doing the full breaststroke is considerably quicker than my previous effort.
Sadly my attempts at front crawl are still funner than something really funny. :(
Finally, swimming with gout in my middle toe is rather painful.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 26 February, 2016, 09:46:49 pm
Post by: Feanor on 26 February, 2016, 09:55:11 pm
When Junior was little ( about 8 or 9 ), we went to the public swimming pool in Breckenridge, Colorado.
It had a Tarzan Swing rope thing, for the kids to swing on and drop into the pool.
He was way smaller than any of the big kids using it, so the attendant told him he needed to be able to swim to the far side of the pool before he was allowed to use it.
"What stroke?" said cheeky junior.
"Butterfly" joked the lifeguard.
And Junior jumped in and did a thrashy butterfly to the far side.
"Er, I was just joking!" said the lifeguard, and let him have the rope.
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 March, 2016, 09:47:57 am
"You know," she replied, "you look just like the god Poseidon when you get out of the water. All you need is a trident."
Day made! :thumbsup:
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 14 March, 2016, 12:51:09 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 25 March, 2016, 04:07:48 pm
Post by: CrinklyLion on 17 April, 2016, 02:29:47 pm
Today I actually went swimming for the first time in _ages_. Just 20odd lengths, but it felt OK.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 17 April, 2016, 09:40:45 pm
Post by: campagman on 04 May, 2016, 05:58:54 pm
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 09 May, 2016, 01:05:37 pm
My butterfly lesson was a complete disaster this morning. I was tired and sore and useless. So we agreed to pack it in and work on back crawl arms instead.
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 03 June, 2016, 08:45:36 pm
Post by: CrinklyLion on 11 July, 2016, 12:43:44 pm
(Took nearly an hour though... at my fastest in the good old Barbican days I could do a mile of dreadfully inefficient breaststroke in under 40 minutes!)
Post by: Greenbank on 18 July, 2016, 01:03:57 pm
Hoping the cheaper rental suits are good enough, really don't want to splash out to have to £400 on a swimming wetsuit, £150-ish will be more than enough!
Post by: Greenbank on 18 July, 2016, 09:55:12 pm
Great fun, slightly nervy setting off (it's been 20+ years since my last proper open water swimming) but despite some dodgy sighting I was quickly back into it. Just under 8 mins for each 400m lap. Forgotten how floaty you are in a wetsuit.
Post by: ian on 19 July, 2016, 10:01:56 am
Has anybody any tips for preventing or delaying my goggles misting up, please?
Rub some soap on the inside (I just use the dispenser in the swimming pool toilets) and lightly rinse to leave a little residue behind. Job done.
Fifty lengths (25 metres) every day (at just over 30 minutes). I don't get much faster. Or slower, I suppose.
Post by: Greenbank on 19 July, 2016, 10:43:54 am
Has anybody any tips for preventing or delaying my goggles misting up, please?
Rub some soap on the inside (I just use the dispenser in the swimming pool toilets) and lightly rinse to leave a little residue behind. Job done.
Saliva works for me (not as soap).
Fifty lengths (25 metres) every day (at just over 30 minutes). I don't get much faster. Or slower, I suppose.
Much like cycling, doing the same long slow distance swim every time is the slowest way to get faster.
Doing all of the complicated stuff:-
* Drills with kickboards, pull bouys, paddles, fins, snorkels even
* Swim ladders and/or intervals
* Proper technique (either from drills or coaching)
* etc...
is how you get faster quicker.
Once I'd built up the fitness I went down from 2:05/100m to 1:50/100m (for a 4k swim - just pull, no kicking) by just doing those big long swims but then it plateaued.
Since adding in proper training I've got down to ~1:45/100m and hoping to sneak under 1:40/100m by September. Under 1:30/100m and I'd be deliriously happy as I'd love a sub 1h IM swim (next year maybe...)
Post by: tonyh on 19 July, 2016, 12:41:24 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 19 July, 2016, 01:14:24 pm
Sub half-hour?
The IM swim is 2.4miles or 3860m.
1:30/100m would give a time of 57:54.
Post by: tonyh on 19 July, 2016, 01:45:03 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 19 July, 2016, 04:33:14 pm
Have ordered the cheapest Zone 3 Venture wetsuit from Wiggle, not bad for £106 or so.
Next day delivery so I hope it arrives before 4pm and I can pootle along to Shepperton Lake again to try it out for a proper swim.
It's helping take my mind off the Mersey Roads 24 this weekend.
Post by: Greenbank on 20 July, 2016, 09:04:22 pm
Happy with that and the new wetsuit. Well, the third lap at least. It took the first two laps to settle down and get into a good rhythm and not trying to go too fast.
Toasty warm in the lake today. 25 deg C water temperature.
Post by: tonyh on 21 July, 2016, 06:51:19 am
.....to settle down and get into a good rhythm and not trying to go too fast.
Looks a good plan for the 24 as well! Good luck and enjoy another adventure.
Post by: ian on 21 July, 2016, 10:26:57 am
Has anybody any tips for preventing or delaying my goggles misting up, please?
Rub some soap on the inside (I just use the dispenser in the swimming pool toilets) and lightly rinse to leave a little residue behind. Job done.
Saliva works for me (not as soap).Fifty lengths (25 metres) every day (at just over 30 minutes). I don't get much faster. Or slower, I suppose.
Much like cycling, doing the same long slow distance swim every time is the slowest way to get faster.
Doing all of the complicated stuff:-
* Drills with kickboards, pull bouys, paddles, fins, snorkels even
* Swim ladders and/or intervals
* Proper technique (either from drills or coaching)
* etc...
is how you get faster quicker.
Once I'd built up the fitness I went down from 2:05/100m to 1:50/100m (for a 4k swim - just pull, no kicking) by just doing those big long swims but then it plateaued.
Since adding in proper training I've got down to ~1:45/100m and hoping to sneak under 1:40/100m by September. Under 1:30/100m and I'd be deliriously happy as I'd love a sub 1h IM swim (next year maybe...)
Oh, like with cycling, I'm not really trying to get any faster. Swimming is my daily workout, as Moby's stunt double I have to keep my svelte waistline. I'm a few decades into a near-30 minutes fifty length front crawl-breast stroke combo. I'd be a lot faster if I didn't have to keep navigating around slow moving OAPbergs.
But yes, the soap thing works. I've been using the same pair of goggles for over a decade. The downside is that I get to see all the bad tattoos. Though, given the warm weather, there's no shortage on view without going to the pool.
Post by: Greenbank on 21 July, 2016, 10:48:01 am
I've been using the same pair of goggles for over a decade.
So have I, but because they cost £150. (Prescription goggles as I can't wear contact lenses.)
Post by: ian on 21 July, 2016, 06:48:33 pm
Post by: Feanor on 21 July, 2016, 07:21:14 pm
We were doing a PADI diving course recently, and one of the requirements was to swim 10 lengths of the pool.
This was a box-ticking exercise, at the end of the day, and I was in CBA mode.
So I decided to do it in lazy breast stroke, because my front crawl is splashy, inefficient and tiring.
Big mistake.
The action of bringing your legs together at the end of the stroke applies an outward force to your knees.
I managed to bugger up my Anterior Cruciate Ligament or somesuch gubbins and was basically cripple for most of 2 weeks.
I should have just thrashed up and down in my ungainly front crawl, or risked banging me head with a back crawl.
Interestingly, the knee pain was much better for a couple of hours after diving to modest depths of 12 - 18 M.
I wonder if the pressure squidges fluids and inflammation away from the injured area?
A sort of hyperbaric therapy for muscle / ligament injury.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 September, 2017, 12:10:14 pm
Did 700m or so of open water swimming in Lake Annecy each day the week before last whilst on holiday. Nothing last week as I was away with no access to a pool.
Today: 1600m (made up of 100m sets slightly faster than normal with a rest in between each one)
I've got another couple of swims planned at least 2500m on Tuesday in one continuous block at steady pace, then another swim next Monday (probably 3200m at least) and then it's a case of jumping in the Serpentine and pushing through.
Post by: Greenbank on 08 September, 2017, 01:20:48 pm
May do another hour on Monday, will see how the shoulders are feeling. I don't want to still be recovering come Saturday week.
Post by: Greenbank on 11 September, 2017, 09:10:59 pm
Will just have a gentle swim tomorrow after MiniGB finishes her lesson and then it's running, cycling or 5-a-side for the rest of the week.
Got a list of things to remember for Sunday:-
* Wetsuit (I hope I can still squeeze into it!)
* Jammers
* HRM-Tri strap
* Bodyglide
* Swim cap
* Goggles
* Flip flops
Would be great to sneak in under the hour for the 2 miles but I doubt it given it's open water (faster due to wetsuit and drafting, slower due to no push offs every 25m, open water and wanderings off course - my sighting isn't bad though, and just not arsed to have to deal with the swim biff).
Post by: Greenbank on 16 September, 2017, 06:14:01 pm
1h10 according to my Garmin, chip times are not on the website yet.
Happy with that given my relative lack of training.
Post by: Graeme on 30 October, 2017, 04:53:18 pm
Anyway - today was the first day back in the pool, and the first day with my new goggles... and for some reason I just kept swimming and swimming and swimming. I completely lost track of time, but I didn't lose track of my lap count... and I swam just over a mile. I'm so over the moon I had to share it - I'm sure my pace was sedate but I don't care, I was just really delighted that I'd had the stamina to keep going.
I think next week I might do the same but make a note of my start time too... now I'm intrigued as to how long it might take me.
... All this is part of feeling grumpy that I just keep gaining weight and it doesn't matter how far I cycle it make no difference. It is almost as though my body has learned to hang on to fat with a vice-like-grip just in case I ask it to ride in the cold and rain all day without feeding it. So giving my body a surprise by asking it to swim... and then swimming a lot has filled me with joy. Like I've been swimming with Endolphins. Woo.
Sorry - I know this is a self-indulgent post. I'm just feeling really bouncy and wanted to shout about it. Yay. :)
Post by: harvey on 30 October, 2017, 05:36:46 pm
Post by: Aleksdad1 on 30 October, 2017, 06:48:46 pm
Post by: mike on 22 August, 2018, 09:53:00 am
- a 90m pool is too damn far, I'm knackered by half way.
- I always set off too hard. First 2 lengths I'm going great, by length 5 I'm focussed on survival and only by length 8 or so am I through the worst and actually going at a sustainable speed.
- by which time I'm Quite Tired and am having at least one breast-stroke break per length.
- is it normal to be so hungry afterwards? It's not even 10 o'clock and my lunch is gone and I'm thinking about a 2nd.
Pool temp was 17 this morning so broke out the wetsuit (which is quite a lot tighter than it used to be!) and managed 16 lengths - quite hot but much easier in a suit. Luckily the pool closes for the winter soon and I can go back to encouraging them over a coffee rather than actually getting in the water :D
Post by: Greenbank on 22 August, 2018, 12:08:25 pm
training
Ah. Yes. Training.
I did 1500m on Monday. First swim in a couple of months. Only 4 weeks to go until Swim Serpentine, and I'm entered in the 2 mile swim. Oh well, it'll be fun.
- a 90m pool is too damn far, I'm knackered by half way.
It takes a while to get the pacing right, especially for open water. Whenever I go back to open water I always find myself blowing after a minute or so because I'm waiting for the short rest you get at each turn (my training is all done in a 25m or 33.3m pool). It's surprising how much of a break you get in that short glide to the end of the length, turn and subsequent push and glide.
Serpentine water temp was 15.2 deg C last year. That felt so bloody cold on the feet, hands and face. Gave me something swear about for the first few minutes (whilst I also set off too fast).
It's going to be an even tighter fit with my wetsuit this year, unless I can drop a good few kg in the next few weeks.
(Love the Jesus Green Lido. I grew up doing lots of swimming there, and did some lifeguarding one summer.)
Post by: Manotea on 22 August, 2018, 12:26:09 pm
It's going to be an eventightersleeker fit with my wetsuit this year, unless I can drop a good few kg in the next few weeks.
FTFY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KGglW6cX6c) :)
Post by: Greenbank on 10 September, 2018, 11:58:28 am
Found this though: https://www.marathonswims.com/
1k, 5k and 10k swims in the Olympic pool in Stratford. Mostly sold out for 2018 but I'll keep an eye on it for next year as I'd definitely be up for a 10k pool swim.
Post by: ian on 10 September, 2018, 12:10:34 pm
That said, I was telling someone that swam 50 lengths the other day and she assumed that I was 'doing it for charity.' It's a 30 minute swim...
Post by: Greenbank on 10 September, 2018, 12:25:50 pm
In the Olympic pool too.
I'm used to the monotony (http://www.greenbank.org/misc/swim_20160304.png). I had swimming coaching for years in my youth (City of Cambridge SC, formerly Granta SC). Staring at the bottom of the pool for hours on end is quite normal (hello discarded plaster, hello lost hairband, hello cracked tile, hello HOLY MOTHER OF GOD I HOPE THAT CLUMP OF MATTED HAIR STAYS THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY MOUTH, hello discarded plaster, hello lost hairband, ...)
Post by: Peter on 10 September, 2018, 12:28:00 pm
Peter
Post by: ian on 10 September, 2018, 01:15:45 pm
As for the swim marathons, things have softened up, I did 400 lengths back and forth without a break (well, you could stop at the ends for drink and pause, but simpler to keep going). I will say that my daily 50 lengths vary – sometimes I vague-out and it's all over, other times, it's a grim tick-tock of each and every length. Those are usually the days when I swim like a sack of spanners. Generally, after many years of swimming I don't really tire beyond a certain point unless I really thrash, so the limit is boredom. That said, I often do 50 lengths in the Crystal Palace 50 metre pool just because. It's easier to zone out when you're not having to turn all the time.
Post by: Peter on 10 September, 2018, 01:26:53 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 10 September, 2018, 03:54:13 pm
However, I'd play 5-a-side on a Thursday night with mates and would end up in the pub for too many pints.
So every Friday morning I'd be up with a hangover, dropping my daughter off at school and then going straight for a swim, ideally 1h20m worth. It'd start off feeling reasonably grim and a slog but I'd get into the rhythm of it, start to feel better and some times I'd be happy to push on past the 4000m mark.
I did this for a few years until I swapped my day off from Friday to Monday (which meant I now try and run my hangover 11km into work on a Friday). Oof.
But now I think I get the Dean Martin quote[1]. I start my 4km swim on a Monday fresh as a daisy and I only ever seem to feel worse as it goes on. It's taken a lot more mental effort to stay in the pool since I've swapped days.
1. "I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day."
Post by: Greenbank on 21 September, 2018, 05:19:17 pm
Lack of training means I'll be slower than last year so probably 1h15 to 1h20. (I'll be close to being lapped if I'm any slower.)
At least I know what to expect this time!
Post by: Greenbank on 22 September, 2018, 01:50:26 pm
Really enjoyed it this time, got into a nice rhythm after about 10 minutes and bashed it out.
Post by: hellymedic on 22 September, 2018, 04:35:29 pm
Well done!
I can't swim at all any more cos my arms are too weak to keep my head above water.
Post by: Greenbank on 04 January, 2019, 11:48:18 am
Will definitely do the Swim Serpentine 2 mile swim again in Sep 2019, given I'll be training for the above 10k swim I may even opt for the 6 mile (Super 6) option. I think I should get preferential entry as I've done both of the 2 mile Swim Serpentine events that have taken place.
With proper training I'll aim for sub 50min for the 2 mile event. For the 10k I'd be happy with sub 3h30m.
For now I'll just keep things ticking over in the pool and I'll focus more on distance later in the year. If I get a Ride 100 place in the ballot (find out mid-Feb) then I'll need to ramp up the miles for that alongside marathon training.
Post by: ElyDave on 04 January, 2019, 02:07:23 pm
I might keep this up for a while as I don't feel confident going back to running yet. Even if my technique hasn't improved my stamina has
Post by: essexian on 23 January, 2019, 08:20:16 pm
However.... come Sunday I discovered that I could no longer swim....well I managed to do 50m before giving up. My "improved" stroke was terrible: I just couldn't get the breathing right, while my previous stroke was slower and more painful than it had been. A mile seems, er, miles away! I have checked the times for the last event and the slowest was someway over 2 1/2 hours.... I would be looking at around an hour which is slow by normal standards but hey ho, its not a race....is it?
Not wanting to give up after just one go, I tried again this evening and again, my improved stroke just isn't working but I did manage 250m using the old, arms only stroke. I feel I could have done more but it was an open session and thus, there were lots of children in the pool enjoying themselves.....how dare they!!!! >:( ;D ;D ;D
Can I make it to a mile by September: I think I should be able to do if I put some work in....something I try to avoid at all costs! The one thing I forgot was how much it hurts my back and neck!
Post by: ian on 23 January, 2019, 08:35:22 pm
Anyway, I've now proven to myself that I'm not very fast and no, I can't count my lengths very well. It does make me self-competitive, thrashing through my final length in an attempt to hit a magically implausible sub-20ish seconds in a feat that I imagine makes it look like I'm the main course of a piranha feeding frenzy.
Post by: ElyDave on 24 January, 2019, 09:19:04 am
Reading this thread inspired me to go swimming again on Sunday after an imposed gap of some 2 years...blimey, just checked this thread, its nearer to three years.....following an injury to my right arm which meant I could not raise the arm above my head. I had got into my head a silly idea that I could get fit enough to do the Swim Serpentine (the mile) in September..... well, before my injury I could manage 1 200 to 1 500 metres in a pool with some effort and I had had some coaching so my stroke was much better than it had been.
However.... come Sunday I discovered that I could no longer swim....well I managed to do 50m before giving up. My "improved" stroke was terrible: I just couldn't get the breathing right, while my previous stroke was slower and more painful than it had been. A mile seems, er, miles away! I have checked the times for the last event and the slowest was someway over 2 1/2 hours.... I would be looking at around an hour which is slow by normal standards but hey ho, its not a race....is it?
Not wanting to give up after just one go, I tried again this evening and again, my improved stroke just isn't working but I did manage 250m using the old, arms only stroke. I feel I could have done more but it was an open session and thus, there were lots of children in the pool enjoying themselves.....how dare they!!!! >:( ;D ;D ;D
Can I make it to a mile by September: I think I should be able to do if I put some work in....something I try to avoid at all costs! The one thing I forgot was how much it hurts my back and neck!
If I can get from 400m arms only and feeling like I'm half dead, to 1500m and feeling good at the end of it in about 2 months, then I'd say a mile in September is well within your reach.
Post by: Greenbank on 24 January, 2019, 09:40:03 am
If I can get from 400m arms only and feeling like I'm half dead, to 1500m and feeling good at the end of it in about 2 months, then I'd say a mile in September is well within your reach.
Same here (checking my logs) I went from nothing to >1 mile in 2 months.
My weekly swims went something like:-
150, 250, 266, 200, 500, 833, 1100, 1500, 1450, 2150
(However, I wasn't recovering from any sort of injury, just a long time away from swimming.)
Swim Serpentine is very relaxed (if you want it to be), would definitely recommend it!
Post by: ian on 24 January, 2019, 07:06:48 pm
Post by: hellymedic on 24 January, 2019, 07:18:42 pm
So I did 28 x 33 metre lengths.
I did 54 lengths the next day, which I repeated quite frequently.
Once you can keep going, you can keep going.
This was indoors, in a heated pool.
I appreciate open air swimming is a different beastie.
I can't swim at all any more as I don't have the strength.
Post by: ian on 24 January, 2019, 08:03:24 pm
Post by: hellymedic on 24 January, 2019, 08:22:35 pm
I used the 33m pool at Sheffield University as a student.
I think the Dolphin in Poole was also that length.
Post by: ian on 24 January, 2019, 08:57:21 pm
Post by: ElyDave on 25 January, 2019, 06:12:05 am
Post by: Greenbank on 25 January, 2019, 12:37:01 pm
I appreciate open air swimming is a different beastie.
Indeed. Note that Swim Serpentine recommends, prior to the event, to be able to do either:-
* the full distance in open water
* twice the full distance in a pool non-stop
They also strongly recommend doing some open water swimming before the event, it is quite a bit different from the pool, the lack of mini-breaks at the end of each length soon add up, and you need to set your pace slightly slower to account for this. There are plenty of psychological factors to consider too (sharing the lake with fish, feet touching plants and other things, very low visibility in the water, water taste, swim biff, etc).
Also you'll be swimming in a wetsuit (or using a tow-float if not) and you don't want the event itself to be the first time getting used to that. Wiggle often have perfectly good wetsuits on sale for ~£100, Decathlon stock some too although I've no idea how good they are. Renting them isn't much cheaper if you're going to use them for a while to get used to them. Saying that, I rented one the first time I went to my local open water swimming lake and got advice from the company about which size would be best, I was then able to buy one on-line with confidence.
There are plenty of open water swimming places in the UK although they tend to only open up in May once the water temperature gets high enough (usually 12 deg C although each place may be different). I use Shepperton Lakes for my open water prep, it's also a handy 22km cycle ride away, and I can even go for a run around the lake if I really hate myself.
Reminds me, need to order a tow-float as I've booked a family holiday to Lake Annecy again this year and hope to nip off to do a longer swim each day and there are a few motor craft that use the lake so I want to be as visible as possible.
Post by: Greenbank on 25 January, 2019, 12:40:38 pm
What all this shows is that swimming fitness is specific to swimming and does eff all for anything else, unlike eg cycling and running to a degree.
It does help with general cardiovascular fitness, but with cycling and running the lack of fitness will first show up in the legs until you're relatively well trained.
Swimming is still also good non-impact exercise that has a good calorie burn rate.
On the negative side, poor technique will aggravate or even initiate shoulder/elbow injuries, and breaststroke is not recommended if you have knee problems.
Post by: essexian on 27 January, 2019, 02:51:10 pm
It felt okay but my legs are still not there and I had to stop for a few seconds every 50m to get my breath back. No doubt I could have done more but frankly, I feel it is best to build up slowly as the arm I had injured three years ago has started to hurt again. :(
A mile by September looks possible....if I can do something about my legs and if my arm holds together!
Post by: SteveC on 27 January, 2019, 03:55:35 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 28 January, 2019, 01:36:55 pm
It felt okay but my legs are still not there and I had to stop for a few seconds every 50m to get my breath back. No doubt I could have done more but frankly, I feel it is best to build up slowly as the arm I had injured three years ago has started to hurt again. :(
Another trick is to do one length crawl and then one gentle breaststroke (or backstroke) to recover. Then move to two lengths crawl, one length recovery, etc until you're able to keep crawl up continuously. I've got a few old swims logged where I was doing 1:1 or 2:1 like this.
Post by: essexian on 29 January, 2019, 07:40:52 am
Sadly, my front crawl is more like something which is very unlike swimming and never gets me more than 10m without needing to stop! I just can't get the breathing right.
If the gout I now have goes away over the next day or so, I will try some more distance on Wednesday. I might even see about trying to get some coaching to get me back on the correct path. I am sure a better stroke would make the distance much easier.
Post by: Greenbank on 29 January, 2019, 07:46:32 am
(It's interesting how my stroke has improved[1] since watching this video regularly. Every time I watch it I think "ah, I need to do this more" or "I need to change this" and try and remember to do that next time I'm in the pool.)
Definitely consider some coaching, I had a couple of lessons last year and it certainly helped me discover the things I need to focus on.
1. Or returned closer to what I was coached to do years ago
Post by: ian on 29 January, 2019, 08:44:40 am
Pacing your breathing is obviously important if you want to avoid stopping every length or so. There's nothing wrong with breathing every stroke (push out the breath while underwater, so you draw a full breath when you surface). And slow the pace slightly so you're not so out of breath. Stamina is something you build gradually.
Post by: ElyDave on 29 January, 2019, 09:11:37 am
I do need to start breaststroke carefully again, though wih my recent hip injury and ongoing subsequent back problems. I'm not sure what happened yesterday, but both feet were cramping at different times and are aching this morning.
Post by: Greenbank on 29 January, 2019, 07:18:30 pm
4x100m pull warm up at a brisk 1:40/100m pace with ~1 minute rests
25m free warm up sprint (in pool start, no dive) in ~22s, rest
25m free all out sprint (in pool start, no dive) in 17.4s, swallow lungs and rest
50m sprint (in pool start, no dive, flat turn as someone was in the way of a proper tumble turn) in 38.4s
1x100m pull cool down at 1:45/100m.
So my current all out sprint pace (1:08.8/100m) is what that video lists as 'steady'. HR hit 175bpm during the 50m sprint. Ugh.
Long term aim is to get down to 1:30/100m Swim FTP (i.e. pace I can sustain for 1h).
My arms hurt (I did 1000m of pull yesterday too.)
(I don't bother with dive starts as (a) they're a bit over the top even though they give a 1-2s advantage, (b) my prescription goggles usually come off and I don't want to adjust them any tighter to keep them on.)
Post by: Greenbank on 04 February, 2019, 09:22:30 am
https://www.swimserpentine.co.uk/how-enter/online-entry/
(Accidentally signed up for the Super 6 event.)
Post by: essexian on 05 February, 2019, 12:36:52 pm
I've also signed up for this... https://www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/fundraising-events/swim22
Having had diabetes (its under control due to weight loss) and having lost my brother in part to the illness, its something I feel I should do....it also gives me a reason to get the miles in, in advance of the September swim.
Now.... shame I don't have any friends I can pester for sponsorship.... :P
Post by: Greenbank on 26 June, 2019, 06:26:34 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 15 July, 2019, 03:12:42 pm
My last 4 weeks have been:-
24 Jun 2019 : 392th / 3971
01 Jul 2019 : 208th / 3990
08 Jul 2019 : 175th / 4004
15 Jul 2019 : 37th / 4005
Slowly getting back into it.
Post by: ElyDave on 25 July, 2019, 06:15:48 am
plan similar today, my company does some work with Swim Serpentine on sustainability and gets a couple of places, I have my name down.
Post by: Greenbank on 02 August, 2019, 06:42:56 pm
Who knows how much extra damage I did by playing on for the remaining 30 minutes of the game. To be fair, it didn't hurt too much (I have a high pain threshold) and I could still run and kick the ball hard with that foot. It only seized up overnight.
Hoping I don't get away with nothing (and physio) or a removable boot at worst. A cast would mean no Swim Serpentine.
Post by: Greenbank on 05 August, 2019, 08:29:51 pm
Going to start to ramp up the weekly distance now. Not enough time to work on speed so hopefully some stamina will allow me to plod along at 2:00/100m for hours and hours.
Post by: Greenbank on 11 August, 2019, 03:02:40 pm
1400yds with only 10 people in the entire pool. Can't beat outdoor swimming.
(6km for the week, hoping for 10km this week split over 3 swims.)
Post by: ian on 12 August, 2019, 10:35:31 am
And blimey, the kids diving off the high platform into the diving pool, some awesome skills. I'd just depth charge the water at enough speed to break something of fundamental importance.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 September, 2019, 10:09:46 am
Training has (as usual) been haphazard but I did manage about 4h in total last week whilst on holiday in Annecy (luckily wife and daughter also like lake swimming) including 1000m in the lovely outdoor 50m pool at Marquisats although my favourite lake swim was at Talloires.
Will try for 10k over 3 sessions this week and same again next week and then have an easy week before the event itself.
Post by: Greenbank on 08 September, 2019, 04:41:12 pm
Will try for 10k over 3 sessions this week and same again next week and then have an easy week before the event itself.
Thu: 2500m
Sat: 3600m
Sun: 2000m (wanted to go for longer but lacked the willpower and the lanes weren't conducive to getting in a rhythm)
So only 8100m in those 4 days.
Plan:
Mon (09-SEP):
Wed (11-SEP): 3200m - tick - 13400m in the last 7 days, no wonder I feel tired. Managed a new (recent) PB of 7:10 for 400m which was a bigger surprise than the last one.
Fri (13-SEP):
Mon (16-SEP): 4000m - tick - felt good too, could have carried on if I'd had the time
Wed (18-SEP): gentle swim before MiniGB's lesson - [EDIT] might push for 1k or more if I can be bothered
Sat (21-SEP): Swim Serpentine
Good news is my brother introduced me to a pool near Victoria that's relatively quiet after 8.30am. I'll look to sneak in a Friday morning swim each week on my way to work in the build up to November's 10k swim. Once Swim Serpentine is out of the way.
Post by: ElyDave on 15 September, 2019, 07:55:53 pm
1500 and 1600m sessions, one in the evening, where I was surprised at the emptiness of the pool.
Post by: Greenbank on 21 September, 2019, 07:55:38 pm
Did it as 3 x 2 miles (you couldn't stay in for longer than 2 miles at any one time). 1h10, 1h14, 1h17.
First two sets of 2 miles felt great. Felt tired starting the 5th mile and did not entirely enjoy the last mile (except for the last 200m).
Forgot just how buoyant a swimming wetsuit is, and probably only did 400m of kicking in the entire swim (my shoulders hate me) so I need to ditch the pull buoy and practice kicking as November's 10k is in a pool (so no wetsuit).
Awesome day out. Great organisation (and the Super Six spoils you with a dedicated area and lots of camaraderie) and amazing volunteers all over the place.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EE_tDGpWsAEmkDC?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Post by: Greenbank on 01 October, 2019, 12:31:55 pm
First time back in the pool for over a week and could only face doing 1km. Sets of 100m alternating between pull and full front crawl, aiming for 1:40/100m pace in both. That may have something to do with why I only managed 1km before the fuck-it valve blew.
6 weeks to the Marathon Swims 10k. Need to be doing 10km a week from next week.
Post by: Greenbank on 19 October, 2019, 07:07:09 pm
3 weeks until 10k Swim Marathon. FFS.
Post by: Greenbank on 26 October, 2019, 03:06:32 pm
I'll probably start and see how far I can get.
Post by: Greenbank on 10 November, 2019, 03:27:30 pm
Swim Marathon was today.
Did 1k (the minimum you could really do), got out and gave my chip in to one of the volunteers.
Maybe could have squeezed out 3k in my current state, possibly 5k if that was the event I had entered, but there was no chance I was going to do the full 10k.
Got a t-shirt and a lurid pink swim cap (good for open water stuff) and it was nice (but hideously expensive) excuse to swim in the Olympic pool.
As an event it's all a bit chaotic. I plodded along at 2:00/100m (which was the target pace I'd put down when entering) but there were people in there at the same time going at 4:00/100m and 1:30/100m. In just those short 20 minutes I was in the pool I hit the lane dividers with my hand about 4 times whilst avoiding people coming towards me overtaking too wide. Hard to get into a rhythm but probably easier when swimming at 1:45/100m and overtaking more.
I'll consider it for next year, but I won't enter anywhere near as early as I'll make sure I'm doing enough training. There were still places in the 10k available a few weeks ago. I'd want to have a CSS of 1:30/100m by then as I'll look to do a SwimForTri course at my local pool to get my technique sorted.
Having done the Swim Serpentine Super 6 event this year I'll drop back to just doing the 2 mile version for 2020 and going for a much better time (sub 1h and ideally sub 50m).
New goals:-
Get some technique advice/training at my local pool in the new year.
Swim CSS (equivalent to cycling FTP) down to 1:30/100m (i.e. 4k in 1h).
Sep 2020: Swim Serpentine 2 miles (sub 1h, ideally sub 50m)
Nov 2020: Possibly enter Swim Marathon 10k again, see where I am come the summer.
Post by: fimm on 06 December, 2019, 11:10:21 am
Why is it so hard to share a swim lane? You'd think, we all go up and down, up and down, everybody is happy, but it doesn't seem to work like that.
I'm as much frustrated with myself for getting cross - you see, I know I'm a bit awkward to share a lane with when I'm doing mixed strokes or drills because I go at different speeds for different lengths, so I try to be patient and let others do their thing. I just ran out of niceness this morning.
Grrrr. Still. Grrrr.
Post by: Greenbank on 03 January, 2020, 02:22:00 pm
https://www.marathonswims.com/?rf=EvQqmaE7N
Will hopefully be lurgy free in the run up to it, will also only do the 2 mile Swim Serpentine this year, no real appetite to go back and do the 6 mile one again. I'll aim for doing the 2 mile swim a bit faster (under an hour minimum and ideally under 50 minutes). Have no excuse for not building up to it properly this time.
Post by: Greenbank on 06 January, 2020, 12:05:24 pm
Post by: ian on 06 January, 2020, 12:19:29 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 15 January, 2020, 10:05:17 am
First swim since doing 1km in November. Only managed 500m before I could feel my technique falling to bits. Will do ~1km on Wednesday as MiniGB's lesson has moved forward to a time when the rest of the pool is open, which is great my for training plan and also means we get home a bit earlier.
Only managed 600m last Wednesday for similar tiredness reasons but did 1100m on Monday and shoulders didn't feel sore at all, only stopped due to the lanes suddenly getting very busy as the pool had messed up the bookings and two schools turned up at the same time so they stole an extra lane.
Will try and bash out at least 1km today, hopefully 2km, including 2x100m or so with fins (had forgotten how fast they make you go, but how knackering they can be at first).
Post by: fimm on 15 January, 2020, 01:20:01 pm
(For clarity, I am not a good swimmer and this is a grumble about my rubbishness.)
Post by: Greenbank on 15 January, 2020, 06:12:05 pm
Some irritating bloke was drafting me (swimming) while he was doing kick drill this morning. This Should Not Be Allowed.
Reminds me of a time a few years ago when my swimming fitness was much better. I bashed out a 1:06 100m [1] only to find I was being steadily caught by someone else[2] who wasn't just doing 100m sprints.
1. Having borrowed some fins from another swimmer. I was able to do that time in my youth, have only seen a 1:20 100m in recent years (no fins) but I'm hoping to get back down to under 1:10 if I can.
2. One of the swimming teachers who just happens to be an ex national age-group champion. She used to do her warmup sets at sub-1:30/100m and it looked utterly effortless.
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2020, 06:37:41 pm
First post-flu swim. Don't go, you'll drown says my wife, without looking especially bothered. I didn't drown.
It wasn't even hard work. Flu. Killer of millions, meeter of its match.
OK, I don't think I went very fast. I like to think of my stroke not being slow, but elegiac. Splashily elegiac, but elegiac all the same.
Post by: Greenbank on 15 January, 2020, 07:56:13 pm
I didn't think fins were allowed in pools, they can inflict nasty cuts if you swipe someone edge on.
"Fast lane" or "Fast lane with training aids".
But most of the time no-one cares if you're using them in the "Fast lane" as long as it's not too busy. Speed differential is the biggest problem. The fins themselves are quite soft, I can't see how you could cut someone with them even with a direct kick/swipe.
Post by: ian on 15 January, 2020, 08:04:30 pm
I'm sure they tell you off at Crystal Palace too. Only Aquaman gets fins.
Post by: slowfen on 16 January, 2020, 12:34:12 pm
Generally training fins/paddles are allowed in lane/club sessions only. But bottom line is the lifegaurds discretion (laughable I know).
Post by: Greenbank on 20 January, 2020, 06:15:38 pm
First swim since doing 1km in November. Only managed 500m before I could feel my technique falling to bits. Will do ~1km on Wednesday as MiniGB's lesson has moved forward to a time when the rest of the pool is open, which is great my for training plan and also means we get home a bit earlier.
Only managed 600m last Wednesday for similar tiredness reasons but did 1100m on Monday and shoulders didn't feel sore at all, only stopped due to the lanes suddenly getting very busy as the pool had messed up the bookings and two schools turned up at the same time so they stole an extra lane.
Will try and bash out at least 1km today, hopefully 2km, including 2x100m or so with fins (had forgotten how fast they make you go, but how knackering they can be at first).
It quickly builds back up. I did 2000m today with little fuss and could have gone on longer but chose not to as this week is supposed to be an "easy" week (whatever that is - still feel broken). No fins/toys on Wednesday's swim, just some more long plodding distance.
Post by: Greenbank on 25 January, 2020, 09:58:56 pm
Will need to do some magic to get it to merge the HR data with the rest of the .FIT file from the Garmin but that's something I can work on and try and automate.
Changes to timetable again at the local pool, won't be able to swim whilst my daughter has her lesson but it means I can smash out 30 minutes before her lesson and then stretch off properly in the spa pool.
Post by: Greenbank on 27 January, 2020, 03:19:30 pm
Bit sluggish as it was preceded by a 45 minute spin class and followed by a 5k run, then back to the same leisure centre to watch daughter in a schools swimming gala, back home now, then back to school to collect her and back to the same leisure centre for the third time in a day to take her to ballet.
Will mostly be dribbling and monosyllabic on the sofa this evening.
Tried the new Polar OH1+ attached to the goggle strap to get HR from my temple when swimming but managed to fail to start it properly (I thought it hadn't blinked twice so double tapped the button again without turning it off in-between - big mistake - so all I got was a single 3 seconds activity from the initial attempt. Oh well, it would only show how unfit I am at the moment.)
Post by: Greenbank on 31 March, 2020, 01:39:23 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URS28C3GWQQ&feature=youtu.be
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 31 March, 2020, 02:35:14 pm
Suggested exercises you can do at home if you can't get to any real water to do swimming:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URS28C3GWQQ&feature=youtu.be
Possibly more useful than my gym's advice... :P
https://twitter.com/UofGSport/status/1244623630316769281
Post by: Greenbank on 31 March, 2020, 04:17:03 pm
Post by: ian on 31 March, 2020, 05:59:52 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 30 May, 2020, 12:04:37 pm
London Royal Docks
Liquid Leisure in Windsor.
Papercourt Lake near Ripley
Shepperton Lakes (hopefully next week: https://twitter.com/sheppertonswim/status/1266054216579256320/photo/1)
All with various distancing rules plus no on-site indoor changing facilities. (Never bothered me at Shepperton Lakes as there was plenty of space to get changed on the grass.)
Only worries would be:
* open water swimming with little/no swim fitness. I assume a tow float is a requirement even with a wetsuit.
* Shepperton Lake is current 12.something deg C. That's chilly!
My local pool sent round a survey asking for opinions on different scenarios. They were looking at the feasibility of (amongst other things) booking one hour slots for a lane in order to maintain social distancing.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 June, 2020, 07:53:05 am
Post by: Greenbank on 01 June, 2020, 08:26:00 am
The other major concern is transmission from touching surfaces in the changing facilities.
Post by: slowfen on 01 June, 2020, 08:34:23 am
Initial reports show allowing 3sqm per customer, also a one child/one parent policy. From my own employers they are also discussing timed slots for all activities, pre-book only, showers/changing only for the pool, not gym/classes, reduction in gym equipment.
They have also warned that not all pools will reopen due to financial implications of no income followed by reduced income/higher outgoings.
There are still issues with the wet side changing areas, with extra cleaning, as throughout the building required
Also if extra staff are required, that will also be an issue, all lifeguard training is suspended, and trying to get people to work on minimum wage is not easy.
Yes Chris, the pools still use chlorine, much reduced due to the use of UV, but you still swim in dilute bleach ;D
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 01 June, 2020, 10:43:37 pm
Swimming pools will e back to normal by Christmas. It’s human nature.
Post by: slowfen on 02 June, 2020, 06:18:24 am
Post by: ian on 02 June, 2020, 09:42:48 am
There's only two lanes usually and they're quite wide, the changing rooms fairly spacious, I think generally it would be fine to reopen.
Post by: barakta on 02 June, 2020, 11:57:26 am
Post by: slowfen on 15 June, 2020, 08:48:21 pm
https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/
Multiple documents
Post by: Greenbank on 15 June, 2020, 10:39:22 pm
A 6 lane 25m pool becomes 3 wide lanes with a maximum of 10 people per lane.
Sounds good if they can get it open, I'd definitely book some sessions and get my swim fitness back!
Post by: Davef on 16 June, 2020, 06:09:28 am
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Post by: slowfen on 16 June, 2020, 06:40:49 am
Post by: Davef on 16 June, 2020, 08:14:01 pm
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 17 June, 2020, 12:56:18 pm
Post by: slowfen on 17 June, 2020, 03:15:58 pm
Depressingly the sea is 80+ min away
Post by: Davef on 17 June, 2020, 07:49:50 pm
One of the problems with local rivers is there is very little avaliable in the way of bacterial/chemical testing. Hence it can be potluck on how safe.Sounds like a day trip by bike. Just adding to my todo list - cycle to seaside and swim.
Depressingly the sea is 80+ min away
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Post by: Greenbank on 09 July, 2020, 05:54:36 pm
Post by: ian on 10 August, 2020, 12:06:17 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 20 August, 2020, 02:55:02 pm
Nicely done and good social distancing going on.
Just got the email to say Swim Serpentine 2020 has been cancelled (refund or rollover entry for next year). Kind of gutted but at least that takes the pressure off.
Still need to go to the pool as I need to get fit again and the Marathon Swims 10k in November hasn't been cancelled yet (got a feeling it might be, it was very busy in the pool last year and can't see how they can do changing/waiting with social distancing with the same numbers). I need to be mostly ready for this in case there's a chance it does go ahead. (I'd probably bite their hand off for a deferral to 2021.)
Post by: Davef on 30 August, 2020, 10:17:20 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 30 August, 2020, 11:07:32 pm
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 September, 2020, 12:51:47 pm
So, on holiday, with wetsuits, we swim about every 2 days. One day I swim for a couple of hours - and end up with an injured shoulder. Could have been trying to sustain crawl for about 1km total (in bursts), or could have been my attempts at butterfly.
Holding arm out levelthen swinging back (eg reaching over into back of car) is painful.
Post by: Davef on 01 September, 2020, 02:20:34 pm
I watches some vids giving hints on crawl style (I'm competent at swimming in all styles, but my crawl is clumsy and I get breathless quickly)Rotator cuff injuries are common. It is made worse by failing to rotate properly.
So, on holiday, with wetsuits, we swim about every 2 days. One day I swim for a couple of hours - and end up with an injured shoulder. Could have been trying to sustain crawl for about 1km total (in bursts), or could have been my attempts at butterfly.
Holding arm out levelthen swinging back (eg reaching over into back of car) is painful.
See drills at https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjkuOOjhsjrAhXRVRUIHXItBlkQFjABegQIDBAK&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DfcoNzQYX6Vw&usg=AOvVaw2BTTmJAwsoq6tBGV7XN2vo
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 September, 2020, 03:51:04 pm
When I was young they taught us NOT to roll body. Guess things have moved on. I'll take a good look at that vid later.
Post by: Greenbank on 02 September, 2020, 12:42:32 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3HhNlysFDs
Watch it again when you get back from the pool and think about what you didn't do, and what you'll do next time.
Lather, rinse, repeat. (Including watching it both before and after).
Simply doing that (and hours and hours of time in the pool) took me from 2:00/100m to 1:30/100m. (Although, with lockdown I've lost all of that and due to fitness I'm back to grinding out 20 minute 1k blocks again.) My aim is to get back down to 4k in an hour non-stop.
(That's all "pull", i.e. with a swim buoy between my legs. With legs I'll be aiming for somewhere around a sustained 1:20/100m to 1:15/100m.)
Post by: Greenbank on 04 September, 2020, 02:43:00 pm
More importantly distance per stroke almost back over the magic 1m/stroke mark (again, this is "pull", with legs I get the obvious extra "free" distance with each stroke).
Only 9 weeks to go until Marathon Swims 10k (which has yet to be cancelled/postponed as I expect it will).
Post by: noggy on 06 September, 2020, 09:49:39 am
No use to me as I’m a slow 1,500 m oldie who cannot cope with 50m having done 25 m pools all my life.
So go to the Shire booking website and finally get a 50 minute slot on Friday morning in Peterhead, a cool 40 mile away🤣
I’ve had two knees and hip replaced in last 3 years so am used to starting from scratch again.
Just be great to get back in the water.....
My nearest local pool, where I’ve swum for last c30 years may open “mid-October” due to operating issues. They’ve had 6 months FFS
ah well......
Post by: ian on 07 September, 2020, 10:28:43 am
Post by: Davef on 07 September, 2020, 10:33:05 am
So our local Aquatics centre has now reopened but only the 50m pool, not The warmer 25mYou could try the 50m pool. If it is really much colder you could try a thermal rash vest - but you will look like the Sacha baron cohen “Bruno” character.
No use to me as I’m a slow 1,500 m oldie who cannot cope with 50m having done 25 m pools all my life.
So go to the Shire booking website and finally get a 50 minute slot on Friday morning in Peterhead, a cool 40 mile away
I’ve had two knees and hip replaced in last 3 years so am used to starting from scratch again.
Just be great to get back in the water.....
My nearest local pool, where I’ve swum for last c30 years may open “mid-October” due to operating issues. They’ve had 6 months FFS
ah well......
Post by: Greenbank on 18 September, 2020, 01:22:38 pm
MOVE AWAY FROM THE SIDE OF THE LANE AS YOU APPROACH THE END!
So many people sticking right to the side and then turning and finding a queue of people treading water behind them as they can't get to the end of the pool to make their own turns.
Still, decided not to faff as much today (I usually do 16x100m sets with ~60s rest inbetween) so I bashed out a 1234321 pyramid (with 60s between sets) and still had time to do another 200m in the 45 minute session.
Hopefully I'll drag it up to a continuous 2k and then, if I really don't faff and the speed comes back, aim for closer to 3k in 45 minutes.
Still no news on Swim Marathons that's supposed to be happening in November. There's no way they can realistically hold it so they're going to have to push it to next year...
Post by: Davef on 18 September, 2020, 07:27:01 pm
Post by: Greenbank on 22 September, 2020, 01:18:03 pm
Donate entry fee, defer to next year or refund.
Will probably defer.
That takes the pressure off and I can actually build up swimming progressively rather than trying to ram in a 0-10k training schedule in 2 months.
Post by: ian on 22 September, 2020, 07:17:34 pm
And Crystal Palace is now closed for major refurbishment (somewhat out of the blue), so no 50-metre pool. Bah thrice bah.
Post by: Greenbank on 23 September, 2020, 12:06:50 pm
100, 200, 1000, 200, 100, and then 333m until the whistle went.
37:37 swimming time out of the 41:52 from starting until the whistle, so with a bit less faff I should able to crank out just over 2k in each 45 minute session.
It's certainly feeling easier. I took the 1k part relatively gently and still managed a 19:41, but I hope to get this down to ~15 minutes eventually.
Post by: Greenbank on 25 September, 2020, 10:38:25 am
Think my first 1k was another 19:41 again.
Now I need to sort out bilateral breathing again, I'm being lazy and breathing every 4 strokes and always to the same side, plan is to alternate the side on each length (so keeping to 4 strokes per breath). I also need to do less with the pull buoy and I tend to breath every 3 strokes when I'm doing normal crawl. Then I'll pick one of the swims to take the toys down (fins, hand paddles, etc) and do some proper drills rather than long slow distance.
9966m in 6 swims in the last 9 days. (One bleedin' length short of 10k.)
Post by: Greenbank on 01 October, 2020, 11:08:30 am
Looking to do 3 x 45-minute sessions a week that gives me ~5k/week. October won't make 20k due to half term but no worried about that.
Pushing the speed up. Able to do 200m blocks of pull at 1:45/100m. Will aim for 300m blocks and then 400m blocks. I'd love to put in a sub 7 minute 400m time of pull.
Post by: ian on 01 October, 2020, 04:07:46 pm
Given that I've not swum since March, that means
(a) I'll glide through the water like Aquaman
(b) I'll sink like a manky supermarket trolley tossed in the canal.
Post by: Feanor on 01 October, 2020, 04:15:58 pm
We're no longer allowed to use the shared pile of pull-buoys and kick boards ( they have been removed ); we all had to buy our own.
We have to wear pool shoes and masks right up to the poolside, but once we are in the water we can pretty much do anything we did before.
Our mixed coaching group have been assigned the family changing room, so nekkid showering is not really an option!
Post by: ian on 01 October, 2020, 04:43:48 pm
Post by: noggy on 03 October, 2020, 09:52:50 am
One. No showers or lockers🤣
#2 showers mandatory 👍 dedicated lockers. Sanitised every session👍
Same local authority 🙄
Anyway buck up to distance (speed🤣😂) 2* 1,500 session. A week. Shoulder no longer giving gip👍
Local pool reopening Monday. Cannot wait. It’s a very compact changing room. So we’ll see how it goes
And same in chlorine use. Far too much or concentration to high🤮
Post by: ian on 05 October, 2020, 09:53:50 am
Pool was no more or less busier than for a usual evening session and the same lanes, so really they could have opened months ago. Still crappy hours, but they were always were, just a bit crappier than before now. Got three sessions booked this week.
Post by: Greenbank on 05 October, 2020, 10:52:31 am
Before they reopened we were warned that the rules were: "arrive swim ready - no access to changing rooms before or after" but on actual opening day you could use the changing area afterwards (but not the showers). Then after a few weeks the post swim open showers were made available.
The male/female changing rooms are still completely closed, it's just the communal area with changing cubicles and lockers that can be used. The
Also they don't mind the odd person using the changing rooms before if they didn't turn up swim ready. If I do a spinning class before my swim on a Monday (day off today as gave blood yesterday) then I need to change and shower before I get in the pool.
My guess is that the rules are just to limit the numbers in the various areas. The changing rooms don't get packed out and with people waiting because the majority turn up swim ready and can undress at the side of the pool.
Then again, the company that runs the place (and the booking) have let the SSL certificate on their site expire and so no-one can book anything right now.
Post by: ian on 05 October, 2020, 11:39:10 am
All said though, I'm glad to be back. Managed sixty without drowning.
Post by: Greenbank on 05 October, 2020, 12:51:54 pm
We're then asked to wear a mask on the way to the side of the pool and to use the (automatic) hand sanitiser dispenser as we enter the building.
It's a bit of a convoluted walk through their one way system and we have to remove our shoes before getting to the pool side (there's a corridor with lots of chairs in it spaced apart to help the oldies), I wear flip flops so taking them off takes seconds and I can do it barely breaking stride.
Then walk one way around the pool where there are chairs at 2m intervals, dump stuff on a free chair, strip down to swimming gear, walk to end of lane and jump in.
There's nowhere really for anyone to gather other than outside and they've painted feet on the ground at 2m intervals there too to make it clear.
Looks like they've cut the numbers down to 30 people (from 45) split across 3 double width lanes (in a 33+1/3m pool) - slow, medium, fast[1]. 10 people in 66.6m gives a nice 4.5m spacing between people if everyone was going roughly the same speed (ha!).
1. "Fast"[2] which also seems to mean "Slow but is an Alpha Male in possession of a penis and is therefore unable to use a lane marked 'Medium' or 'Slow'".
2. I'm usually 2nd or 3rd fastest in the lane when doing 1:40/100m, with the fastest doing 1:30/100m. The slower 5 or so are doing >2:00/100m and are often overtaken by the faster people in the medium lane. I haven't been in the pool when any of the sub 1:20/100m people are in.
Post by: slowfen on 05 October, 2020, 01:58:03 pm
These are the ones who get upset when asked to move. But have seen go a very interesting shade of red/purple when overtaken by a "young" girl , she 16 ands is regional/national standard on breaststroke
1. "Fast"[2] which also seems to mean "Slow but is an Alpha Male in possession of a penis and is therefore unable to use a lane marked 'Medium' or 'Slow'".
Post by: Greenbank on 07 October, 2020, 12:02:01 pm
1:10/100m sprints. Oof.
Post by: Greenbank on 25 November, 2020, 09:51:03 am
Post by: Davef on 06 December, 2020, 01:55:46 pm
First experience of “after drop” (your core body temperature drops several minutes after leaving the water).
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2020, 02:29:33 pm
800m in a lake this morning. Air temp around 0, water temp 3.
First experience of “after drop” (your core body temperature drops several minutes after leaving the water).
Haven't you had that when cycling in winter?
Post by: Davef on 06 December, 2020, 02:44:01 pm
Not that I have noticed. I tend not to get too cold when cycling. The only time I have got really chilly is towards the end of LWL when I slowed down with “digestive issues”. I have experienced being warm when I finish cycling and the getting cold from not generating as much heat, but that is a gradual onset and can be solved by getting warm.800m in a lake this morning. Air temp around 0, water temp 3.
First experience of “after drop” (your core body temperature drops several minutes after leaving the water).
Haven't you had that when cycling in winter?
Post by: hellymedic on 06 December, 2020, 03:09:19 pm
An outdoor control on the HardBoiled 300 really floored me. Cold environment was OK but when I stopped moving...
Post by: slowfen on 02 April, 2021, 12:06:08 pm
First swim this yeart
Post by: Davef on 02 April, 2021, 12:19:18 pm
Post by: citoyen on 11 May, 2021, 11:30:50 am
Problem is that I have to go at high tide, so last Wednesday that meant first thing in the morning. I eased my way in gently, until I was almost up to my armpits, then took the plunge... It was kind of OK for a couple of minutes, but then I started to feel the cold really penetrating through to my bones, so thought it would be wise to get out. Thank god for the Dryrobe. Took several hours to get full feeling back in my feet.
Second time, yesterday, was much better - it was high tide at lunchtime, so atmospheric temperature was much more pleasant, even if the water temperature was still somewhat on the bracing side. But it was fine once I started moving about and I swum up and down a few 'lengths' between the groynes.
I'm keen to keep it up and maybe even make this a habit, so I'm going again at lunchtime today. It would be nice to be a bit warmer but I feel a wetsuit would be overkill - besides which I don't think I could possibly get into my wetsuit at the moment. It was a snug fit even when I was two stone lighter than I am now.
Post by: DuncanM on 11 May, 2021, 11:50:55 am
I'm kinda planning on alternating days, one day lifting, one day swimming (with 1 day off a week). We'll see how long I can keep that up for (have to get into the routine first).
Post by: ian on 11 May, 2021, 12:06:20 pm
In some act of pandemic genius, they've implemented an extra lane which means you have to pass opposing swimmers with about 2 mm of grace.
Post by: citoyen on 23 May, 2021, 12:16:02 pm
I used to like bashing out lengths in the pool but sea swimming is a totally different proposition so you have to approach it very differently. The tidal currents around here are pretty strong so it's hard work and you can be paddling for ages without getting anywhere, but it's hugely invigorating. Although after about 30 minutes in the water today, I was starting to lose feeling in my fingers, which I took to be a sign it was time to get out... Contrary to what some of the other wusses out there today seemed to think, it's really not cold enough to require a wetsuit though - which is just as well for me because there's no way I could get into my wetsuit at the moment.
There was one other guy out there today who had all the gear - including flippers and a swim buoy. I think I'll pass on the flippers, but a swim buoy looks like an excellent idea - never happy about leaving my valuables unattended on the beach while I'm out there... I've just put in an order for ear plugs, because cold water down the earholes is really unpleasant, and some goggles, because I have no idea where my old pair are. And a bright red swim cap, because they're recommended for visibility in open water, which sounds sensible.
Post by: ian on 24 May, 2021, 09:43:51 am
Once upon a time, many years ago, I was scuba diving off the Isle of Man, and I turned around and right there, looking back at me, the most fearsome of sea creatures. The Aquapig. Really, an entire – presumably dead pig – has somehow floated up behind me. Be careful out there.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 24 May, 2021, 10:07:09 am
I was happily swimming along looking at fish, etc in slightly murky water when a turtle head came into view. This was a Galapagos sized tortoise! I have never swum so fast in my life.
Post by: John Stonebridge on 24 May, 2021, 10:21:49 am
Generally I find swimming the form of exercise that benefits my upper body and core that I enjoy most - probably as i can see tangible progress (faster, further, perceived efficiency) reasonably quickly which acts as a virtuous circle. Im going again tonight.
Post by: citoyen on 24 May, 2021, 11:13:33 am
I've enjoyed sea swimming in the Caribbean and Florida, but generally, I don't like cold. I did once swim in a very cold in Madeira and had to be revived with cocktails.
Once upon a time, many years ago, I was scuba diving off the Isle of Man, and I turned around and right there, looking back at me, the most fearsome of sea creatures. The Aquapig. Really, an entire – presumably dead pig – has somehow floated up behind me. Be careful out there.
Probably normal for the Isle of Man. We're too middle class to have dead pigs in the water round here, though I did once find the rotting carcass of a porpoise on the beach. Seals have been spotted here recently but I've never seen them myself.
Post by: citoyen on 24 May, 2021, 11:18:10 am
I’ve started back swimming (indoor) with the reopening of the gym attached to my erstwhile regular place of work. Its very very quiet just now for obvious reasons and for as long as it remains open its great for swimming practice with a lane to ones self. I live a couple of miles away so its just folk like me who are using it just now.
Part of the reason I've taken to swimming in the sea is that ICBA to go through the rigmarole of trying to book a slot in the local pool. My wife is more tenacious and has been enjoying the quietness, often having a whole lane to herself.
Quote
Generally I find swimming the form of exercise that benefits my upper body and core that I enjoy most - probably as i can see tangible progress (faster, further, perceived efficiency) reasonably quickly which acts as a virtuous circle. Im going again tonight.
I know what you mean. It's a good bang-for-buck form of exercise. Especially for me at the moment with a dodgy knee ruling out running. Sea swimming is not quite as efficient exercise-wise (might be better once I have my earplugs and can do proper strokes), but it's a still a decent workout pushing against the tide, and the cold means you burn shitloads of calories without doing much.
Post by: Jurek on 24 May, 2021, 11:19:14 am
Post by: citoyen on 24 May, 2021, 11:26:41 am
Though I did once play cricket on one of the exposed sandbanks off Sheppey.
Post by: citoyen on 24 May, 2021, 11:30:46 am
First experience of “after drop” (your core body temperature drops several minutes after leaving the water).
I've experienced this, but wasn't aware the phenomenon had a name until I saw a video on YouTube* about it the other day. At least I now know what's happening - and that it's normal! (I've never experienced it when cycling though.)
I also now know that it's when you stop shivering that you really need to worry.
I've also learned the term "bioprene" - I have plenty of that at the moment.
*from Everyday Athlete Rach, who has a whole channel of videos about open-water swimming, which are all really good - amateurish in the best possible way. https://www.youtube.com/c/EverydayAthleteRach/about
Post by: ian on 24 May, 2021, 11:36:29 am
I've enjoyed sea swimming in the Caribbean and Florida, but generally, I don't like cold. I did once swim in a very cold in Madeira and had to be revived with cocktails.
Once upon a time, many years ago, I was scuba diving off the Isle of Man, and I turned around and right there, looking back at me, the most fearsome of sea creatures. The Aquapig. Really, an entire – presumably dead pig – has somehow floated up behind me. Be careful out there.
Probably normal for the Isle of Man. We're too middle class to have dead pigs in the water round here, though I did once find the rotting carcass of a porpoise on the beach. Seals have been spotted here recently but I've never seen them myself.
It's quite something to turn around and see an entire pig loom out of the murk. Thus was the story of the Aquapig born. The more prosaic explanation is that it fell off a boat, but I like to think there's an entire aquapig civilisation under the Irish Sea. Sadly, I opted not to continue my studies in marine biology, so the truth of benthic porcines has been left behind.