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Original poster

SWIMMING! I'm grinning like a loon!

75 replies

blueirises · 20/07/2020 16:43

Just been swimming for the first time in 4 months. Ooh! I feel like I'm drunk or something. It was a bit annoying really - quite regimented, no showers, not my normal pool - but I haven't really felt like this all through lockdown.

Don't know why I'm sharing really... Has anyone else just done something they'd really really missed and looked forward to?

OP posts:
joyjester · 20/07/2020 16:44

I am looking forward to my first swim too!

Original poster
blueirises · 20/07/2020 16:47

I was so crap! I'm not the best swimmer anyway, but my stamina's gone to pot. My legs aren't too bad, from much cycling, but my top half has got flabby. But still... it was lovely.

OP posts:
MogHog · 20/07/2020 17:09

I cant wait. Its the thing I've missed the most. Sadly no news from my gym when they plan on reopening their pools yet.

sociallydistained · 20/07/2020 17:19

How does it all work without changing rooms?

SoPanny · 20/07/2020 17:21

Tell us about it end to end.

Do you need to strip off and get in a robe before you even enter the leisure centre?

sparkli · 20/07/2020 18:02

I can't wait to swim again. I'm so desperate I'm considering a dip in the North Sea in at St Andrews!

Original poster
blueirises · 20/07/2020 18:45

It's an open air pool, so there's loads of space to change - benches, grassy areas. About 5 rudimentary hut things to change in if you're lucky. Arrive wearing your costume under your clothes, leave bags on benches. You only get 45 minutes including changing. 3 double lanes: slow, medium, fast; and try to leave 2m between you and the slightly slower person in front. No overtaking!

I don't know how they'll manage changing etc in my normal leisure centre pool. Or indeed at this one when the weather turns. Still, it was great. I love cycling, and I've been all over on the bike, but there's no better feeling than that clean, happy exhaustion you feel after a swim, is there?

OP posts:
Serena1977 · 20/07/2020 18:51

I had my first swim on Saturday evening. Was brill.

I wore my costume under shorts and a tshirt, took them off poolside, then put on towelling robe and crocs on after, over costume, drove home on a bin bag and had shower at home.

I shall do the same for the indoor pool when they open.

fartyface · 20/07/2020 18:55

Can someone tell me the risks of showers? The touching the taps?

lljkk · 20/07/2020 19:01

gosh, 45 minutes including changing, so that's a maximum 35minutes in pool? Not much then.

lljkk · 20/07/2020 19:03

... how much did U Pay for that 35 minute swim?

Original poster
blueirises · 20/07/2020 19:11

Oh God, I don't know. £6-ish? Seeing as I was considering trying to bribe someone at my usual pool to let me in for £100 a month ago, it seems like a bargain. It's not forever, I've got membership at the other one.

Yeah, it's not long either. But normally, when I'm fitter, I do 40 (25m) lengths in about 26 minutes, so it's fine. More annoying to have to book in advance and go at times I wouldn't necessarily choose.

OP posts:
KittyFantastico · 20/07/2020 19:14

I wonder if it differs from pool to pool. Our local leisure centre haven't put a time limit on changing other than "arrive with your costume under your clothes" and "get dried and dressed as quickly as possible afterwards". They're allowing showers before and after but they will be a maximum of 60 seconds. All the cubicles and lockers are numbered, you have to use the locker number that corresponds to your cubicle. All your belongings go in your locker for security but once you're ready to swim you have to tell the changing room staff and they will lock your cubicle from the outside so that no one else can use it. After you've swam and have gotten changed, the now empty locker and cubicle will both be cleaned ready for the next person to use them.

I cannot wait to go swimming again! The changing room rules make so much sense to me and I want them to be this way forever because I get so much rage over grubby floors, dumped swim nappies, and the only available locker being miles from the cubicle I've used.

DonttouchthatLarry · 20/07/2020 19:16

I've been open water swimming - it's amazing! I love it and don't want to go back to pools Grin

SoPanny · 20/07/2020 19:16

@blueirises

It's an open air pool, so there's loads of space to change - benches, grassy areas. About 5 rudimentary hut things to change in if you're lucky. Arrive wearing your costume under your clothes, leave bags on benches. You only get 45 minutes including changing. 3 double lanes: slow, medium, fast; and try to leave 2m between you and the slightly slower person in front. No overtaking!

I don't know how they'll manage changing etc in my normal leisure centre pool. Or indeed at this one when the weather turns. Still, it was great. I love cycling, and I've been all over on the bike, but there's no better feeling than that clean, happy exhaustion you feel after a swim, is there?

oh god that last sentence has almost driven me to actual tears god help me

happy for you OP, enjoy it again and again and again x

joyjester · 20/07/2020 19:21

OP you are so lucky.,There are 2 open air pools near me and neither are opening this year!

dementedma · 20/07/2020 19:21

I swam in the sea on Friday, off the Scottish coast. It was utterly joyful and I was laughing the whole time like an idiot! Brilliant fun.

BikeRunSki · 20/07/2020 19:22

Very envious OP! !

I keep missing the bookings at my nearest outside pool!!

Gymntonic · 20/07/2020 19:23

Outdoor pool session booked for me on Wednesday. I am already beyond excited. Your post has me grinning here opSmile

SoPanny · 20/07/2020 19:25

@dementedma

I swam in the sea on Friday, off the Scottish coast. It was utterly joyful and I was laughing the whole time like an idiot! Brilliant fun.
Just out of interest did you wear a wetsuit?

Honestly thinking of getting one

PeppaPigMakesMeGrrrrr · 20/07/2020 19:27

I've been swimming in a wetsuit in the sea on the south coast. The best feeling....so free and the water is lovely!

Original poster
blueirises · 20/07/2020 19:30

SoPanny, I think it would've driven me to tears a couple of days ago. I saw someone swimming in the river Thames nearby and briefly considered it, I was so desperate. I remember pre-lockdown having a last swim at my local pool and the few diehards left all looking panicked at the 6 weeks one of the lifeguards thought they would be closed. But 4 bloody months! I hope you get a swim soon and all the great feelings that go with it x

OP posts:
UselessTrees · 20/07/2020 19:35

Envy Just seen that our local pools aren't planning to open until September. Another thing crossed off the list of summer holiday activities.

Rockbird · 20/07/2020 19:36

I can't wait to go swimming again. But I don't want to do lengths yet, I have a bad back and am desperate for that floaty feeling to take the pain away so I only want to wobble about. But if it's only lane swimming I've got a while to wait.

WaffleCash · 20/07/2020 19:36

I've been swimming in open water, but have got a swim booked at the nearest open air pool on Wednesday - can't wait