Will anyone think I’m a twat?!

[TheChosenTwo]

For going swimming and only doing 15 lengths 🫣😂
I’m not a good swimmer, actually rather terrible, but I really got quite into it on my holidays. I don’t have much stamina and my form is poor.
Dh suggested I just go and do 15 lengths a few times a week and try and build up from there.
In theory it’s a good idea, I have the time and wfh 4 days a week so could aim to do it twice.
But would anyone else swimming be laughing at my pathetic efforts?! Tbh I doubt it as I usually use the gym and take no notice of anyone else but I think it’s because I only plan on being there such a short amount of time, I think I’d feel a bit stupid… 🫠

Honestly, no one will care or notice. I swim for 15-20mins while DD is in a class at the same centre. It never even occurred to me that anyone might judge my efforts!

But, I do remember being a bit conscious when I first started running. I did C25K at first and remember very quickly getting over any self-consciousness. I was so focussed on what I was doing and completing each stage that I didn’t care if anyone was watching or judging, which of course they’re not.

Go for it and enjoy yourself!

Laughed a lot at the visual though. Glorious! Glad you’re on the up

Of course it's fine! I do 20, nobody has ever even looked at me! Go! 🏊‍♀️

I did the entire c25k programme in the dark! And still prefer running in the dark to this day 😂

@advice1011 the pool
is set in the middle and along one of the long edges is the cafe with seats up against the window - to be honest I’ll be going early so probably won’t be many people there eating breakfast at that time anyway, the gym is set around the pool upstairs with windows all around.
I do realise that it’s unlikely that anyone is going to look at me and my ungainly swimming!! Thanks all for your encouraging words, I’ll give it a go in the morning and report back how I felt!

I swim slowly, in the slow lane. I set the pace in the slow lane as I am slowish.
If someone gets in and swims slower, they then set the pace.
If I was faster and was getting frustrated at their speed I should move up to the middle lane. If I am a little faster I can either suck it up or turn back into the return side of the lane.

I think I’m feeling a bit nervous about the lanes!!
I really hope it’s not ALL lanes, I’ve not been there to swim so early in the morning, only gym or a class, so I’ve never taken much notice of the pool. Really hoping there will still just be a section that isn’t lanes.

No one will care or even notice! I'm going back to swimming tomorrow after several years off, and I doubt I'll manage much at all, but who cares? It's for me, not anyone else.

Can you check the timetable? Ours either says public swimming (which is just free for all) or lane swimming.

I do 10 lengths very slowly and do it in the slow lane
I never notice how many lengths anyone is doing and I don’t think anyone notices how many I do!

It’s just adult only swim first thing in the morning which means there’s no life guard.

No one is going to count how many you do. Sounds like a good idea!

Why would you think anyone will even notice?

Of course not. Honestly no one will ever notice you, in the nicest possible way.

I've been swimming maybe three times a week for the last few months and generally do between 30 and 40 lengths - about 800 metres. Some people do less, some seem to be in there forever- all I know is that is doing wonders for my mental and physical health and I don't care about anyone else (except when they're super slow and don't abide by the letting me go first etiquette or tutting at me fast!)

No one would notice. When I started swimming 'seriously' I would just about manage 10 lengths! In 30 minutes. When I got much better I was doing 40+ in the same time.

I used to do a lot of swimming years ago. I’m not a great swimmer but I enjoyed it a lot. When I first started I did 16 lengths as that’s 1/4 of a mile (assuming 25m pool). Then I built up to 32 for half a mile, then 48 and then eventually 64 for the mile, which I did 4/5 days a week. So starting with your 15 is a great way to go. I used to thoroughly enjoy my time in the water..go and enjoy it! 😊

I have just started swimming regularly (really hoping I keep it up) and I have noticed a couple of people get in, swim for like ten minutes and get out. My first thought was, "That's weird," and second thought was, "Well, maybe they've come from the gym/sauna," and that was that. I have no idea how many lengths people are doing or what their speed is, unless we accidentally get into a rhythm together which just mainly tends to freak me out so I get out of it ASAP, and when I have noticed people aren't swimming very well, I've thought, "It's cool that they're swimming." Same with the very overweight man the other day, I thought, "It's good he's swimming." I'm not going to pretend I'm blind to everybody and completely free of opinions, that's not true. But I'm not judging anyone negatively for their swimming. I will judge you if you can't swim in a straight line AND aren't looking where you're going though!

Honestly swimming is about the most anonymous activity you can do

90% of your body is underwater

Everyone looks the same in an unflattering swim hat

Most people are wearing fogged up goggles and can barely see a metre ahead (or is that just me 😂)

OP if you have had 2 slipped discs, have you checked with anyone like a physio? I have had back problems and specifically advised against much breast stroke unless I put my head under - it extends the spine so much if you don't - dk if this is an issue for you if you don't swim much

No one will notice or care. You could just be having a relax after a gym workout anyway. Also with C25K - if I see someone walking in running kit, I just presume they are warming up, cooling down etc

@WithIcePlease my physio has recommended swimming, my injury was 5 years ago now so everything is back where it should be but it’s left me with a lot of physical pain and I’m trying to stay as active and mobile as possible. I see my physio regularly and a chiropractor too, neither has expressed concern over swimming so I think I’m good to go but thanks for asking, it’s a really good point!

Former lifeguard here. You are amazing. Keep going 👏

Thanks, just looking forward to getting started to be honest! I think the first time will be the hardest, I remember the first time walking into the gym on my own and feeling daunted, I don’t think twice about it now.
I know it will all be fine really, it’s good to push outside of your comfort zone isn’t it?
also quite fancying the idea of doing 16 lengths as a pp pointed out, that will be a nice round 400m as it’s a 25m pool: just keep going and see how long it takes me.
Actually, shall we take bets on how long it will take me?!
DH does a length in 30 seconds, I’d say my average would be a minute and the later ones longer so maybe 22 minutes?! Eek!

That's great. And thank you for replying! I'd just been thinking that I'd been a misery guts!
Enjoy your swimming x

I did it!!
I walked in and could see 3 people already swimming and I nearly bottled it but had a good word with myself and charged my way in there and made room for myself. Took me exactly 20 minutes on their clock, did stop for a few breathers, fuming that my bloody watch charger wasn’t plugged in overnight as wanted to have my first set of stats to compare subsequent swims to but never mind.
I’m so proud of myself 😂