Swimmers unite!

Is a 'plodder' welcome, I swim steadily without stopping but very slowly (32m length takes me 1m30s), I do 1h30m once or twice a week. I'm never going to get faster because of a damaged and fragile spinal cord but it's the best form of exercise for me.

I did it with Steven Shaw from www.artofswimming.com it

His method is very focussed in minimum effort for maximum forward propulsion which works v well for distance swimming and triathlons

@pootlebug who did you do the course with as I'm wanting to do a course too. I'm swimming a 3k in May so would like to try and sort my front crawl. Plus it's in open water which I've not done either.

I started swimming properly in October - did an amazing one-day front crawl course that turned me from someone who could manage a length or two of crawl to someone who does 1500-2000m each time, 3 times a week.

Debating whether to do 2.5km swimathon in March. I am training for triathlons in the summer so don't think I can commit to swimming training enough to do longer, but 2.5km doesn't feel that far (have done that a couple of times when I just had more time than usual to be at the pool).

Did a half-day follow-up course to my initial front crawl course on Sunday and although on the day I was convinced I'd learnt next to nothing and just confused myself, when I got in the pool today found I'd gone from 17-19 strokes per 25m to 15-16 strokes, so it definitely made me more efficient.

But I can't turn....so if anyone can recommend any good YouTube videos on turn technique that would be great!

Normally I just plow up and down at a pretty steady but slow pace but today I followed the first part of the Swimathon training plan and it was different but I enjoyed it.

I completed the 1750m in the allotted 45mins! I usually don't use my legs a great deal but I have just started the couch 2 5k programme and I kicked the whole time without upsetting my rhythm too much which is what normally happens!

I'm going to be booking a 1-1 swim teacher to start in February to sort out my technique. I didn't learn much in my school swimming lessons! I don't have a style as such, just lots of splashing

I will check out youtube though!

I am a swimmer! For the last couple of years I have entered the Swimathon and been able to complete the 2.5k with only a couple of weeks of "training" in the run up to it but this year I have entered the 5k so now need to do more regular sessions so that I can complete it in a half decent time!

sugarmouse - The Scilly swim is about £110 i think, but its from island to island in one day, so 10 miles of swimming and 6 miles of walking with lots of back up and support - hence the price. Ive done about 4 miles in the sea at once and that nearly killed me so i'm building it up over the summer and in the pool.

I started last year and was knackered swimming 40 lengths, and then added 10 at a time, I'm now at 100 for a 'normal' swim session, and 200 once a week. I've got my eye on a channel attempt in a few years.....
I was a shit swimmer as a kid, and hated the few sessions i did at school but now have found that its the only sport where a bit of body fat helps, and women are naturally more buoyant than men. I've met some really lovely people too swimming, i think theres something levelling about everyone being in cossies, hats and goggles

confused Pixie - youtube is really good for technique stuff - the whole of Total Immersion lectures and videos are on there, and SwimSmooth ones too. i tend to go ane practice one thing at a time, so later i'm going to go and try keeping my ankles closer together cos apparently i swim like a really inelegant starfish and can't keep my legs together

Oh great, I'd love to do an outdoor swim- is it expensive?

Maybe try aquafit if your struggling?

Or swim with a float?

Great thread! I only started swimming in June after constant running injuries. I've been on two swimming holidays, and am booked for some longer swims this year- Scilly Swim challenge in September anyone??

I want to start going swimming again, I really need lessons though as my technique is shocking and I am embarrassed to go!

I'm hoping so, I used to be able to do 2 lengths a minute and now I'm struggling to even do 2 lengths. My target just now is 20 lengths.

I'll join you! I've just started back, not really been since Dd was born and she's nearly 2! I'm going 3 times a week, aiming to do the great Scottish swim in august.