Swimming for fitness (part 3). Dive in!

I moved to swimming after hurting my ankle running and I've never gone back to running, Boxcar. Part of the reason is that 2 years on my ankle still niggles and part of it is that I enjoy the swimming: it is less solitary than running, and I think I'm better at it than I was running (I wasn't a speedy runner). On the downside it does take a lot longer than just popping out your front door, and there is the cost of swim membership now. But I reckon I've never been fitter (I'm 40 now).

Glad goggles worked boxcar. I swim mainly as cross training to running but I enjoy it more at the moment whilst it’s too flipping hot! Did both run and swim yesterday, it stretched out my body nicely.

Haven't been able to make it to the pool all week but finally got to try out my new googles today. I'd ordered the Aquasphere Kayenne on Ski's recommendation and success! Had been googling FC technique and worked on changing my arm action. It worked well enough that I tried 6 lengths continuous FC and found that easy enough. Going to keep practising next week then see how much I can manage the week after. Hoping I'm getting close to being able to start running again but planning on keeping up with the swimming as cross training.

Namechange from scared PAD (I dont have PAD yay!)

Wow for own lame in the morning Corri - I tend to swim in school hours as its a little quieter but own lane still rare!

Ski - i hate the smelly sprays when you pass people. Yay for a fast mile. I wanted to try a mile today but i didnt have long enough!

Speedy (for me) mile swim tonight, started off with 4in the lane and ended up doing last 20L just me as pool really emptied out super smelly guy though in lane next to me very strong body spray literally took my breathe away every time he swam past. Why oh why can’t people shower on entry like the BIG sign asks them to!

I’m an open water swimmer. Although it’s a bit cold in the ocean in Aus now. I love the sound of the Derwent swim tizwoz. Let us know how it goes.

I’m in the UK at the moment and I was pleasantly surprised by the local pool this week. All brand spanking new and I had a lane to myself for most of the swim in the morning at 7am. It’s usually a scrum in the mornings in my local pools down under.

Think I'm going to be doing the Derwent Epic 1500m swim this Sunday, so will have to try and get an open water practice swim in beforehand and check my wetsuit still fits!

Open water swimmers very welcome, happy. I'll have to get you to talk me into being brave enough to swim open water. Welcome too to box and user.

The pool was quite quiet for a Tuesday morning today which made for a good swim. Did my usual 2km with a couple more lengths as I thought I might have lost count!

I’d love to get into openwater swimming happyface ive tried in the sea recently which I enjoyed when really calm but we went again at the wend and it was far too big a swell for me I was too scared. The nearest lake is an hour+ away.

boxcar I got better at going further on FC by using a kick float between my legs and just focusing on arms & breathing ignoring my legs mostly.

Is this thread open to open water swimmers? I don't do much in the pool, but have just started swimming in the lake a couple of times a week. Hoping to up that to 4x once kids break up

Thank you Ski & Flaming for giving me a starting point. Goggles ordered! I’m trying to increase how many lengths I can sustain FC. I can only manage 100m continuously but did 10/30 lengths crawl on Sunday (4 to begin, 2 to end & another 4 singles randomly in the middle with the rest backcrawl). Figure I need to work on breathing so have been YouTubing for tips!

I went for a swim today, first time in ages. I swam for 40 minutes (with 3 brief stops of around 5 seconds) and did 35 lengths. I've realised I am not fit enough for something I need to do in just over two weeks time but I've worked out I can swim nearly every day between now and then - will 35 lengths or so each time make a difference do you think?

I'm going to build up to do more lengths each time until I get to 50.

Also enjoyed a lane to myself today. The Monday morning session is always really quiet. I actually had the pick of 3 empty lanes when I got in

I do front crawl reasonably well but I do 1k in 30mins and there were 3 fast club type swimmers on the fast one! I would definitely be in their way. Ill happily use a fast lane if noones in it though.

Our pool is fine when there's more lanes and I often get a lane to myself. Has a grump!

That’s a shame pad I did time it right upto close time and there were 4 ladies breast stroking in the other lane. It’s the best advantage of teaching myself F.C. that I “feel” I can use the fast lane now. It wouldn’t have bothered me if one of the ladies moved over but they didnt. I normally go tonight but it’s parents eve so I was super pleased to get in a swim today.

Ski i was just the opposite! I wanted to try swimming a mile (i normally see how fast i can do 1k) but instead of 5 lanes there were 2 and it was ridiculously busy and didnt get that far. They'd let kids in the slow lane area to play when it was
supposed to be a lane session!!! I did complain (nicely) but I never know what they will do at that pool!

On the plus side my generic prescription goggles were fine.

Had a cracking lunchtime swim today 45mins nonstop with lane to myself heaven

I use Selene women's gogs. They fit nicely and last about 6 months of 4 swims a weeks. From amazon.

Welcome boxcar I’ve only in the last couple of years found some goggles that fit my face I use Aquasphere Kayenne women’s ones. However it’s very much trial and error to find what suits you. Others swear by zoggs predator ones. My sister ex-lifeguard & competitive swimmer likes the Swedish ones which are very minimalistic no rubber seal and string to adjust nose piece.

Hi, new to the thread. I've just started swimming again after years & years & years. I don't own any goggles & never really got on with them as a kid. Then I did a lot of life saving and wasn't allowed them anyway. I'm thinking of trying them again as I plan to swim regularly for the next couple of months (recovering from running injury). Any recommendations please? I just remember them leaking all the time and having to stop to empty them out. This was 30 years ago though. Have they improved?!

(my normal prescription is - 9 something and - 10 something but with astigmatism - I qualify for free eye tests and a voucher as I really cant see a thing without glasses. Apparently -8 is the closest whole number adjusted for astigmatism etc but will still be incredibly blury. Im thinking if i wear glasses to the edge and maybe mention to the lifeguard. I will even mention it to anyone swimmimg in my lane if I get a chance!!)

I will let you know! Not being able to see is scary. Im so short sighted I wouldnt be able to see my kids swimmimg without glasses!

I'm -4 and can manage to swim without crashing into anyone with goggles with no correction so hopefully -8 will work enough for you not to be a danger ScaredPAD

I think i put them down when I had a shower....

Ive ordered a generic 10 pound pair of -8 goggles from amazon prime so that although I cant see properly I should be able to swim! 2-3 weeks for proper ones :(

I have that problem Tizwizliz. I just lose them between locker and poolside