Any regular swimmers?

[aristocat]

Hello,I swim 3 or 4 times a week doing usually 30 lengths each day and wondered if there are any fellow swimmers out there?

[Belugagrad]

Hello, been reading the thread and wanted to join!

I only swim once a week but I really enjoy it. Used to swim alot at uni and did a bit of open water and triathlon. Took a break but have now remembered how much I love it.

Been thinking about the swimathon aswell, for me 2.5km is a little easy, but 5km is just too hard, so not sure at the moment. Would be good to have something to aim for though. Swimming is so relaxing :)

[sybilfaulty]

Wasabi, I am going to do the swimathon too, but only 100 laps. I can do a mile easily and reckoned that mile and a half was enough of a challenge. I think 200 laps would take me forever. How long are you planning on taking? How much training do you need to do for that kind of distance? Serious respect to you.

[aristocat]

So nice to see everyone still swimming away I currently go 3 or 4 times a week and swim 40 without stopping.

Children are on half term this week so having a rest!

[WasabiPea]

Hi all!! Can I join in (late for everything as usual)! I really like this thread! I've just signed up to do the Swimathon, 5k, all by myself (billy no mates). I was always an ok swimmer at school but then bummed around for years, swam once a week or so before ds and then more since (he's now 3). I swim 3 times a week now, often swimming 2.5 or 3k and saw the ads for the swimathon. The challenges are for 1, 2.5 and 5k, so I figured I should do a 5k (as I know I can do a 2.5k). My mum and dh think I'm nuts!! Dh is worried that I'll neglect the housework in favour of training! Ok, he didn't actually SAY that, but I could sense that he was thinking it! Anyway, even though I regularly swim 100 lengths, 200 lengths is quite a lot more isn't it??!!

[TalkinPeace2]

thistledew ear plugs - that is what DH does as he had the same problem.

Have switched back into a bikini for swimming so I get my tan lines in the right place for later in the year ....

[Thistledew]

Hello Swimmers

I have just taken up swimming again after many years- the last time I swam was over 10 years ago, and it was about 5 years previous to that, that I used to swim for my school.

At the moment I am swimming once a week and doing 30 lengths of a 25m pool. I am working at increasing the number of lengths I do without stopping.

I could do with some advice about water in my ears. From the first length my left ear fills up, and I often don't manage to clear it until some time after my swimming session. My right ear is fine.

Is this something worth speaking to my Doctor about? It feels horribly uncomfortable and I am a bit concerned re ear infections, especially as I have to walk 15 mins home in the cold after my swim. Any other suggestions?

[fatlazymummy]

I've just been back, after nearly 3 months off (not through choice). The pool was great,only serious swimmers in there so it was easy to do my lengths. I did 64 lengths (1600 metres) on Wednesday and the same again today. Feels great!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Hi everyone, recent convert to swimming with a few questions here. I recognise quite a few of you from the Couch to 5k threads a year or so back.

I had to give up running last spring when I developed a prolapse, which I had surgery for in Sept. So essentially I did no exercise apart from walking from May to December last year. I've decided to swim regularly now instead of running, but am quite rusty from years of not swimming. I am going three lunchtimes a week, so far the max I have managed is about 30 lengths in 30 mins, I need to improve technique and build stamina as I am now very unfit. 2 weeks in and I can feel the improvement, though, so far so good. I have spent years on the poolside of my DCs lessons and picked up a lot of useful info on technique there.

My questions are fairly trivial! What shampoos and conditioners do you all use? I am worried that all this swimming is going to completely trash my hair! Also is there any such thing as a hat that keeps out water without being excruciatingly tight? I tried one of the silicone ones and it not only let in water but gave me a splitting headache.

[LollipopViolet]

I'm going swimming tomorrow, even though getting out of my lovely warm bed will be hard haha.

I think what's helped is having told my friends I'm going, so I know if I don't, they'll be disappointed - we are all trying to get fit as the two of them are getting married in March

[cocoachannel]

Hi everyone. Well after 30 odd years of hating swimming I've suddenly discovered how great it is. Decided to give it a go and my job means travelling to various places in London, carrying a laptop, lunch etc. so packing a gym kit on top was too much, but a swim suit can be easily tucked away (member of a chain of gyms which provide towels and toiletries!). I'm finding it really relaxing, but am quite time constrained so can only go for 20 to 30 minutes or so every time at the moment and am very slow!!

[PatsysPyjamas]

How intense is swim fit? My local pool has just started a session and I don' t know if I dare join. I'm a competent, fairly regular swimmer but only usually do breast stroke.

[BsshBossh]

LollipopViolet, breaststroke is doing wonders to my arms (especially the so-called bingo wings). I do 1300m a time - usually thrice a week though I've started doing more treadmill/stepper sessions recently.

[TalkinPeace2]

Outside pool open again.
LOVED being out in the fresh air this morning.

Lollipop Yoga might be good for that.

[LollipopViolet]

I'm thinking of starting to swim again, to compliment my ice skating sessions that work my legs, I need to tone my arms.

I used to swim 2 x a week and was doing 30 x 25 metre lengths each session. Someone linked to Swimathon, and I might attempt the 1.5k one this April if I get back into it, and can up my lengths to 64 in time!

[BsshBossh]

Reviving the thread. Is everyone still swimming? I am absolutely loving it. I go three times a week - 40 lengths in 30/35 minutes breaststroke. My tummy has slimmed down loads, my upper arms are much more toned and I look much more toned overall. It's addictive and once I get close to 40 lengths I get into a zone and could easily swim more were it not for time constraints. I think I might make one of my three swims a long one - just make the time for it.

How are you doing?

[makeoneuplater]

If anyone need regular support and commitment (don't we all) there is a Master squad that swims regularly at The Walnuts on a Monday and Thursday evening with Orpington Ojays. It is a mixed group, all abilities and there is a great coach Nick. Their website is orpingtonojays.com If you need more information email [email protected]

Good Luck!

[TalkinPeace2]

lalabaloo
various friends have ipod ones that they then put the rubber flexible earplug stuff on the back of

I swim outdoors so like listening to the birds

[Ros1979]

Right, finally got going with the drill that the swimfit page suggested, and found it really motivating. Did 10 more laps than usual, and felt like it was a proper work out. Only problem was that I left my float at the leisure centre creche when I went to pick up my dd afterwards, doh! Have booked creche next week already to try the next step in my 'programme', thanks for the recommendation.

Lalabaloo - no idea whether swimming head phones exist. Sorry!

[lalabaloo]

Hi, I am looking to get into swimming regularly, I love swimming but I get bored after a while. I would love to swim with music, can anyone recommend some good waterproof headphones? They have to be extremely good at keeping water out of your ears as I can't get water in my ears for health reasons.

[Ros1979]

Had a bit of a false start - left it late to book the leisure centre creche, as was waiting to see which day my parents were going to visit. Anyway, called this afternoon to book tomorrow and it's full, so will be starting next week! Thanks for extra tips legspinner - I've not done drills for years (was never a club speed swimmer, but did synchronised swimming, and we used to do them there as a warm-up) - good to give myself a bit more of a challenge.

[legspinner]

Hi Ros swimfit sounds really good, let us know how you go.

Also if you mix up freestyle with some drills (eg. kick, which I really hate, but make myself do it), and break up the freestyle by doing sets (eg. 6 lots of 100m, easy 100 / moderate 100 /fast 100 / repeat, with 15 secs in between each set), or trying a medley if you can do all 4 strokes, then you aren't just swimming up and down. Or go with a swim buddy to keep you going...

Our pool has workouts on laminated pages which have a lot of variety and mixed up strokes and speed, targeted to different levels, which you can keep on the end of the pool - do yours have anything like that? (Mind you they are quite hard to decipher unless you know all the acronyms.) Good luck..

[Ros1979]

Hello, Thank you for the swimfit website - looks like just what I'm after. Have set myself up with a profile on it, and will be going to the baths tomorrow armed with a training session to complete. Cheated a little bit, by entering my last 2 swims, so that it sort of caught up with how much I usually do, but I'm already feeling more motivated about trying something a bit more pushing - got to do 70 lengths tomorrow. Will let you know how i get on!

Thanks again.

[millionlovesongslater]

@Ros1979 Have a look at swimfit: www.swimming.org/swimfit/

Maybe setting yourself challenges and goals to make swimming more exciting and fun for you?

[millionlovesongslater]

I'm a regular swimmer too.

I swim six days a week, about 2 miles every time. I love swimming so much. Need a new swimsuit though because mine's a bit worn out and practically threadbare around my arse and tits

[Ros1979]

Wondered if anyone can help me get a bit more motivated with my swimming. For the last few months I've been going once a week, and always swim 60 lengths of mainly front crawl, which takes me about 35 minutes. I'm getting a bit bored with it though, and not getting any faster, nor do I have the motivation to swim for longer. Anyone know of anywhere on t'internet I can get some swim plans to have a go at, to try and mix the sessions up a bit, so that I get motivated to swim for longer, and put a bit more effort it?
I'm primarily a runner, so don't want to do more than one swim a week, but would be interested to see if I can get a bit 'better' at it!
Thank you.