I know that mrs.jacinthe will tell me to suck it up buttercup, but I'm wondering what you do when swimming in really cold pools? Our swim club is opening up soon, and I'm super excited because the pool hours at work are so limited that I just can't get in a long swim with my schedule.
BUT - the pool at the swim club is freaking cold early in the season. SO cold. Like last year I had to pull my kids out because their lips were turning blue. They call it the cold pool. And I've been spoiled all winter by a nice toasty warm pool here on campus.
Is there anything in between a swimsuit and a full on wetsuit that I can use to get long swims in soon without going hypothermic? I see 'springsuits' on swim outlet - but will these keep me warm? Are they just like thin wetsuits?
Dive in, start swimming, and don't take a lot of rests.
I swim at a university pool, and when the team is in season, it's FREEZING half the time. Once I get past the first 50, it's fine. When I'm done, I usually forgo the cool down and get out, because that always makes me cold again.
The jumping in part does suck, but it's necessary and unavoidable. Shorter rests and keeping moving help.
"Freezing" and "SO COLD" mean different things to different people. Competition pools are supposed to be 78-80 I think, which casual swimmers would describe as "freezing." It's not. It's fine, and way more comfortable when you're working hard. I swim in just a swimsuit in open water down to about 60.
Another team buttercup I'm sorry. I know it sucks, I really do. I like to swim a quick 100 immediately, with heavy kicks. When it's cold in the pool and really cold outside, I mix my electrolytes with hot water like tea and sip that during breaks. Also, be sure to take a hot shower asap.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Apr 23, 2015 16:22:07 GMT -5
Sorry buttercup.
I know the cold will probably affect you more b/c of your body type and respiratory stuff, so ... do you have a rash guard? That might help and bonus - less need for suncreen (not NO sunscreen. Just less.)
ETA: One more thing ... don't spend ANY time in the sunshine before you get in. Like, stay in the shade as much as possible. If your skin gets heated up, the water will just feel that much colder and it'll be even harder to adjust. Cold air+cold water is my ideal, personally.
Not a "swimmer" really but I'll just say I hate cold water. I hate getting in when its 82 degrees! I should probably stick to the therapy pool. That being said, given your goals, suck it up .
So I'm not an advanced swimmer by any means. But I know that if I take a hot shower before I get in the cold pool, its a heck of a lot easier for me. Seems kind of counter-intuitive (and maybe I'm just weird?). But if I'm cold and get in a cold pool, I just shiver and its really awful all around. If I'm hot, it is still cool to get in, but feels refreshing. Somehow doesn't seem quite as bad. I think they keep my pool around 78.