Freestyle Friday

[mrshandy]

Happy Friday everyone!

Let's talk about swimming. What are your burning swimming questions?

[chw57]

Not a question, just a vent. Circle swimming is the absolute worst. My community center needs a bigger pool.

[mrshandy]

How has your swimming journey gone? How did you get faster improve your stroke? What helped you the most to become a better swimmer?

[mrshandy]

Jan 13, 2017 10:37:40 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Not a question, just a vent. Circle swimming is the absolute worst. My community center needs a bigger pool.

Definitely! I've only done it during swim class. No one really does it at my gym since it never gets that crowded. 

[chw57]

Jan 13, 2017 10:38:31 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

How has your swimming journey gone? How did you get faster improve your stroke? What helped you the most to become a better swimmer?

Masters was the best thing that ever happened to me and my swimming. The coaches were amazing and provided tons of help improving my stroke, and the club was super welcoming with everyone from total beginners up to people who had competed in the Olympic Trials.

[mrshandy]

Jan 13, 2017 10:51:20 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Jan 13, 2017 10:38:31 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

How has your swimming journey gone? How did you get faster improve your stroke? What helped you the most to become a better swimmer?

Masters was the best thing that ever happened to me and my swimming. The coaches were amazing and provided tons of help improving my stroke, and the club was super welcoming with everyone from total beginners up to people who had competed in the Olympic Trials.

Yeah, I was thinking that I need to look into this. Probably not until after I run the Richmond Marathon in mid November. How many times a week did you go? It looks like they have a few options. A quarterly pass or a 10-visit option. I have a gym membership so I can swim on my own. But I would really like to get some advice/coaching/critique from better swimmers than me. 

[al320]

Jan 13, 2017 10:37:40 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Not a question, just a vent. Circle swimming is the absolute worst. My community center needs a bigger pool.

See, i way prefer circle swimming to splitting a lane! I cant swim on the left side. I bump into the lane lines and end up black and blue.

[al320]

Jan 13, 2017 10:38:31 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

How has your swimming journey gone? How did you get faster improve your stroke? What helped you the most to become a better swimmer?

Masters. And just swimming a ton. Swimming consistently, a few times a week really really helped.

Also, i had stroke analysis done (in an infinity pool with mirrors and cameras and shit) and that made a huge difference too.

[Deleted]

Had my usual 2000m session this morning, albeit a bit weak from being sick this week. 2:18/100m pace which is moderate for me. I got a lane to myself and at one point had the whole pool to myself - heaven!! I am hoping that I keep improving over the next few months, particularly once London Marathon is done and I head into Tri season.

[mysticmuffin]

I am ready to not be sick and able to breathe so I feel comfortable getting back in the pool without fear of drowning. Added bonus was that H was a passive aggressive ass about skipping the pool yesterday.

[al320]

Jan 13, 2017 11:47:09 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

I swam this morning! It was heaven

My two burning swim questions: When will my arms feel reattached after my swim today? And how the hell do you IronBAMFS swim for that far? 2700 straight was a little...tiring this morning.

You know, my arms never feel tired after swimming, even when i swim 3500+. My legs get tired. But my kick is wayyyy better than my pull. Do you pull stronger than you kick?

[chw57]

Jan 13, 2017 11:07:45 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Jan 13, 2017 10:51:20 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Masters was the best thing that ever happened to me and my swimming. The coaches were amazing and provided tons of help improving my stroke, and the club was super welcoming with everyone from total beginners up to people who had competed in the Olympic Trials.

Yeah, I was thinking that I need to look into this. Probably not until after I run the Richmond Marathon in mid November. How many times a week did you go? It looks like they have a few options. A quarterly pass or a 10-visit option. I have a gym membership so I can swim on my own. But I would really like to get some advice/coaching/critique from better swimmers than me. 

I went 2-3 times a week (more once I was super pregnant and wasn't running anymore). I bought 15 visits at a time. It was SO GREAT! Definitely give it a try! 

[al320]

Jan 13, 2017 12:17:53 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Jan 13, 2017 12:09:37 GMT -5 al320 said:

You know, my arms never feel tired after swimming, even when i swim 3500+. My legs get tired. But my kick is wayyyy better than my pull. Do you pull stronger than you kick?

I must, because my legs (even though dead from this week's running and lifting) were fine after the fact. I also did upper body weight work after my swim, which I'm sure isn't helping either. 

But, gah. If my arms could just detach themselves from my lats and massage those muscles and reattach themselves, that would be great. Shampooing my hair this morning was interesting

Oh well yeah the lifting lol

My traps get tight. Thats all that bothers me on my top half from swimming.

Have you tried tart cherry juice?

[Deleted]

al320, Waaaaittt... what? You use your legs? I KNEW I was doing something wrong.

Seriously, if I have a question, it's how the hell do you co-ordinate your legs. Mine dangle behind me like jellyfish tentacles.

[al320]

Jan 13, 2017 12:28:43 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

al320, Waaaaittt... what? You use your legs? I KNEW I was doing something wrong.

Seriously, if I have a question, it's how the hell do you co-ordinate your legs. Mine dangle behind me like jellyfish tentacles.

Hahaha

Im not sure, i just swim. Apparently i breath late. Its probably not helpful, but i dont really think about it. I just kick. I coordinate that in no way with my pull and breathing.

[taratru]

I've never done circle swimming...I'm too afraid and will wait for a lane before I do it. #newbchicken

Our swim coach keeps telling me I need to work on my kick, but when I kick more, I SWIM SLOWER. What is THAT?!?!? So I pull all the time, and when I get up over 2500m, my shoulder is so sore.

In short, I'm the worst distance swimmer ever.

[taratru]

Jan 13, 2017 12:30:12 GMT -5 al320 said:

Jan 13, 2017 12:28:43 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

al320 , Waaaaittt... what? You use your legs? I KNEW I was doing something wrong.

Seriously, if I have a question, it's how the hell do you co-ordinate your legs. Mine dangle behind me like jellyfish tentacles.

Hahaha

Im not sure, i just swim. Apparently i breath late. Its probably not helpful, but i dont really think about it. I just kick. I coordinate that in no way with my pull and breathing.

I read somewhere - no! a video! - of some olympic guy who kicks the same leg as he pulls, always.  I can do it with my right side, but my left side is dumb.

[al320]

Jan 13, 2017 12:32:53 GMT -5 taratru said:

Jan 13, 2017 12:30:12 GMT -5 al320 said:

Hahaha

Im not sure, i just swim. Apparently i breath late. Its probably not helpful, but i dont really think about it. I just kick. I coordinate that in no way with my pull and breathing.

I read somewhere - no! a video! - of some olympic guy who kicks the same leg as he pulls, always.  I can do it with my right side, but my left side is dumb.

Next time i swim im going to have to think about how i do this.... i have no idea and ive never been instructed to coordinate my kick and pull when swimming free. Obv the other strokes are different.

[mysticmuffin]

Jan 13, 2017 12:34:06 GMT -5 al320 said:

Jan 13, 2017 12:32:53 GMT -5 taratru said:

I read somewhere - no! a video! - of some olympic guy who kicks the same leg as he pulls, always.  I can do it with my right side, but my left side is dumb.

Next time i swim im going to have to think about how i do this.... i have no idea and ive never been instructed to coordinate my kick and pull when swimming free. Obv the other strokes are different.

I think I'm still too much of a frantic swimmer. There is still no semblance of coordination for me, I just kind of go.

[Deleted]

al320, taratru, you can't see, but I am 'swimming' in my office now, kicking one leg. Don't worry, I work from home. But still. I nearly took the dog out with my leg.

[fuckyourcouch]

Someone give me your best swim advice.
I'm looking at a sprint tri in June.
I used to be very good at swimming when I was younger but haven't really done it in forever.

[juliabug]

Circle swimming is the worst!

It is still a winter wonderland here and my gym was empty yesterday. I chose the pool lane next to the floor to ceiling windows. It was so gorgeous look out on the snow covered trees while I swam.

[juliabug]

Jan 13, 2017 14:57:44 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

Someone give me your best swim advice.
I'm looking at a sprint tri in June.
I used to be very good at swimming when I was younger but haven't really done it in forever.

Start with a pace that feels incredibly slow. Pacing myself in the pool is hard if I haven't swam in a while.

Several ladies on here have used the 0 to 1 mile swim training plan.

[foundmylazybum]

Jan 13, 2017 14:57:44 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

Someone give me your best swim advice.
I'm looking at a sprint tri in June.
I used to be very good at swimming when I was younger but haven't really done it in forever.

Don't think too much about what is drifting around in the water with you. It will disgust you if you do.

Also. Don't examine the bottom of the pool. Just trust me when I tell you, yes. That is a giant hairball. 😩

[al320]

Jan 13, 2017 14:57:44 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

Someone give me your best swim advice.
I'm looking at a sprint tri in June.
I used to be very good at swimming when I was younger but haven't really done it in forever.

Maybe look into a short refresher course? I started with that at the Y, it was maybe 6 classes. The sprint tri swims arent long but if you havent swam in a while, just get back in the pool and get in some yardage and youll be great!

[mrs.jacinthe]

Jan 13, 2017 11:47:09 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

I swam this morning! It was heaven

My two burning swim questions: When will my arms feel reattached after my swim today? And how the hell do you IronBAMFS swim for that far? 2700 straight was a little...tiring this morning.

I usually take two days to feel normal in the arms after a long swim.

[emilyj]

Jan 13, 2017 12:31:53 GMT -5 taratru said:

I've never done circle swimming...I'm too afraid and will wait for a lane before I do it. #newbchicken

Our swim coach keeps telling me I need to work on my kick, but when I kick more, I SWIM SLOWER. What is THAT?!?!? So I pull all the time, and when I get up over 2500m, my shoulder is so sore.

In short, I'm the worst distance swimmer ever.

Whatever. This is exactly how I swim, and I've swim a couple 3k races. So...if that's wrong, I don't want to be right.

[ktzmoh]

Jan 13, 2017 12:18:26 GMT -5 chw57 said:

Jan 13, 2017 11:07:45 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Yeah, I was thinking that I need to look into this. Probably not until after I run the Richmond Marathon in mid November. How many times a week did you go? It looks like they have a few options. A quarterly pass or a 10-visit option. I have a gym membership so I can swim on my own. But I would really like to get some advice/coaching/critique from better swimmers than me. 

I went 2-3 times a week (more once I was super pregnant and wasn't running anymore). I bought 15 visits at a time. It was SO GREAT! Definitely give it a try! 

Wait you can buy 15 visits at a time? I thought it was annual membership or nothing? That's been my main hang up- I didn't think I could commit to the super early mornings all year

[chw57]

Jan 15, 2017 20:46:19 GMT -5 ktzmoh said:

Jan 13, 2017 12:18:26 GMT -5 chw57 said:

I went 2-3 times a week (more once I was super pregnant and wasn't running anymore). I bought 15 visits at a time. It was SO GREAT! Definitely give it a try! 

Wait you can buy 15 visits at a time? I thought it was annual membership or nothing? That's been my main hang up- I didn't think I could commit to the super early mornings all year

I don't know about all clubs but l remember different packages In Walnut Creek and some were different numbers of visits. I think there was an annual flat fee but it was low? My memory sucks.

[mrs.jacinthe]

ktzmoh and chw57 ... USMS is an annual, flat fee, which varies from region to region. The national membership cost for Pacific region (which includes NCal and NW Nevada) is $52/year. Beyond that cost, which covers your membership nationally and allows you to enter USMS sanctioned events without paying the one-time membership fee, each individual club (use the USMS club finder at www.usms.org/placswim/?utm_campaign=top_nav&utm_medium=local_programs) may charge monthly, annually, weekly, or whatever works for them - some don't charge at all, they're included in a gym membership (CalFit does this).