A few beginner swimming questions

[Deleted]

In seeking other cardio options while my bursitis heals up, I'm trying out swimming. I have goggles (Speedo Vanquishers, in junior size because I have a small head - they work great!) and a swimsuit (from Reebok, got it on sale at Dicks). I don't really need any other equiptment, though I wish I could figure out a music solution.

I have a few other questions though:

1) What's the best way to protect my hair from getting dried out from the chemicals and the extra washing it will endure?

2) I've got a pretty decent cardio base, what makes a decent cardio workout in the pool? I can do the 3 basic strokes (freestyle, breast stroke, backstroke). Should I just swim laps all freestyle, as fast as I can?

3) Is swimming like running in that you should take a day off in between when you're a beginner while your body adjusts?

4) How long until people start trying to talk me into triathalons?
Answer: exactly 1 facebook post!

[katinthehat]

1. I'd get a swim cap as well. It's kind of ick to swim in an indoor pool with lots of people without a swim cap (IMO). That will help your hair as well.

2. You'll want to work on improving your form, since form is way more important in swimming than in running. And regardless of how good your cardio base is, it's always shocking to get in the pool and find out just how little you can swim without getting tired (at least it was to me). Two good beginner workouts are 0 to 500 swimming.about.com/od/trainingplans/qt/Swim_Training_Plan_to_Get_Started_Swimming_Build_to_500_Meters_or_Yards_.htm and 0 to 1650 if you can already swim 100 easily ruthkazez.com/swimming/ZeroTo1mile.html

3. I don't think it's necessary since swimming is non impact but your body probably would like a change

4. And for most people, if you like to be competitive, tris are the easiest way to test out what kind of swimmer you are

[roar]

In seeking other cardio options while my bursitis heals up, I'm trying out swimming. I have goggles (Speedo Vanquishers, in junior size because I have a small head - they work great!) and a swimsuit (from Reebok, got it on sale at Dicks). I don't really need any other equiptment, though I wish I could figure out a music solution.

I have a few other questions though:

1) What's the best way to protect my hair from getting dried out from the chemicals and the extra washing it will endure?

I used to color my hair quite a bit, and the stylist suggested that I wet my hair, rub in a little conditioner, and then put on a swim cap (most pools in gyms require you to wear a swim cap anyway). I found that made my cap slide off, but if you wear a lycra cap under the rubber cap, that keeps it from sliding off and keeps your hair from getting too dried out.

2) I've got a pretty decent cardio base, what makes a decent cardio workout in the pool? I can do the 3 basic strokes (freestyle, breast stroke, backstroke). Should I just swim laps all freestyle, as fast as I can?
NO NO NO. Focus on your form. My DH thought he was a strong swimmer, and he is, relative to others, but there is SO MUCH MORE to swimming than just "fast." You can't get "fast" until you do it RIGHT. So focus on RIGHT before you focus on fast. (when I coach youth swimmers, I always tell them that I would rather they swim 50 yards slower with a good stroke, good turns, good start than just swim 50 yards fast, because in the end, all those good habits catch up to you and then all of a sudden, you're fast).


3) Is swimming like running in that you should take a day off in between when you're a beginner while your body adjusts?
No. You can swim everyday if you want to. It's very low impact. However as a novice swimmer, you'll probably feel really sore. Keep doing it, but the soreness will make you FEEL like you can't do it everyday.


4) How long until people start trying to talk me into triathalons?
It depends. Do you like to bike? If the answer is yes, then probably soon. I probably get at least 1-2 requests per spring to do a tri-relay for the swimming leg, and I usually demur, because the idea of swimming in the Hudson River here in NYC grosses me out.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=hf&action=post&thread=2383&page=1#ixzz1uqaY1vPe

[Deleted]

Swim cap, conditioner. Check, thanks!

Ok so I will focus on form and not worry about speed. Yesterday I managed about 1650 yards (25 laps on 25y pool) with brief stops at either end. I have to figure out how to continuously swim (the flippy bit at the end - a turn?), so I can work towards a mile.

I appreciate the feedback!

[joenali]

May 14, 2012 8:07:13 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Swim cap, conditioner. Check, thanks!

Ok so I will focus on form and not worry about speed. Yesterday I managed about 1650 yards (25 laps on 25y pool) with brief stops at either end. I have to figure out how to continuously swim (the flippy bit at the end - a turn?), so I can work towards a mile.

I appreciate the feedback!

1650 is a mile. It's 66 lengths, or 33 laps.

[Deleted]

Math isn't my strong suit. Apparently I even fail when using google calculator.

1250 yards! I was still proud of me!

[joenali]

May 14, 2012 8:10:16 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Math isn't my strong suit. Apparently I even fail when using google calculator.

1250 yards! I was still proud of me!

As you should be! That is a lot for your first venture!!

[bluelikejazz]

My suggestion is to do a time trial (doing freestyle, how far can you swim in 5 minutes?). Then jump onto www.swimplan.com and sign up.

swim plan will write workouts for you based on how fast you are and how long you want to swim that day.

As for taking a day off, that's up to you. Listen to your muscles and your body.

[ecupirate04]

This is a great question! I've been wanting to do the same thing but can't get past how to get started. GOOD LUCK!

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 14, 2012 8:08:55 GMT -5 joenali said:

May 14, 2012 8:07:13 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Swim cap, conditioner. Check, thanks!

Ok so I will focus on form and not worry about speed. Yesterday I managed about 1650 yards (25 laps on 25y pool) with brief stops at either end. I have to figure out how to continuously swim (the flippy bit at the end - a turn?), so I can work towards a mile.

I appreciate the feedback!

1650 is a mile. It's 66 lengths, or 33 laps.

Actually, in yards, 1760 is a mile. 70 lengths or 35 laps.
In meters, Joenali is rounding up by one length. Otherwise you'd finish at the wrong end of the pool.

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 14, 2012 11:24:56 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

May 14, 2012 11:16:29 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Actually, in yards, 1760 is a mile. 70 lengths or 35 laps.
In meters, Joenali is rounding up by one length. Otherwise you'd finish at the wrong end of the pool.

"The mile," which is a competitive event is 1650 yards or 1500 long course meters. An olympic distance tri starts with a 1500 meter swim, so working towards 1650/1500 is a perfect distance to reach for.

Sorry. I figured OP meant an actual mile, since she was a beginner. I know that the competitive event is a different beast, but I was apparently mistaken about what the OP was asking.

[Deleted]

I'm not sure OP knew what she was asking for!

Thanks again for all the tips. I am going to check out swimplan and see what kind of workouts I can dig up. My goals here aren't really to get super fast at swimming, I really want to use this to build endurance, increase upper body strength, and support the rest of my workouts.

As for tris, I'm scared to death of open water swimming. Put me in a pool and I'm happy. If I can't see the bottom and can't be assured of lack of swimming biting things, I'm out! I was mostly making a joke that my friends that do tris are totally trying to drag me into their world.

[Deleted]

May 14, 2012 11:16:29 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 14, 2012 8:08:55 GMT -5 joenali said:

1650 is a mile. It's 66 lengths, or 33 laps.

Actually, in yards, 1760 is a mile. 70 lengths or 35 laps.
In meters, Joenali is rounding up by one length. Otherwise you'd finish at the wrong end of the pool.

35 laps, good to know. I am hoping the Timex watch I have at home has a lap counter thing on it, but I have not used it in a long time and it's oooold.