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Original poster

Any regular swimmers?

152 replies

aristocat · 23/12/2011 01:07

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?

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 06/10/2012 19:48

Silly arses that run my gym are planning to close the outdoor pool for December.
Lots of lunchtime swims need to get a tan to last till new year.

legspinner · 09/10/2012 00:40

Waves to aristo - can I join you all on the swimmers thread? Hi to you all.

I took up swimming again when my youngest DC was a baby (8 years ago!) and since then have swum 2-3 times a week and love it. I haven't lost weight with it, but am quite fit now and swim around 2 km each time. My swimming has really improved since I joined an adult swimfit class 2 years ago. I am now addicted to it although it's really hard work (we do between 2.5 and 2.8 km). That has led me to open water swimming which is way out of my comfort zone and really challenging...it's spring here and we are wondering when to venture into the sea again!

umm DH's cousin did a lot of competitive swimming and she still has amazing shoulders. When she swam she was so hunched over that her brother and sister had to straighten her shoulders out whilst she lay on the floor! Do you do butterfly as well? Or perhaps you are naturally big-shouldered!

aristo weren't the olympic swimmers fabulous - I am sure they are a different species.

Off to take my DCs today (it's school holidays here) now that they are older I can do lengths and if they want to they can swim with me.

Keep up the good work everyone....

Ros1979 · 09/10/2012 16:34

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.

millionlovesongslater · 09/10/2012 16:36

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

millionlovesongslater · 09/10/2012 16:37

@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?

Ros1979 · 10/10/2012 13:47

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.

legspinner · 10/10/2012 21:04

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 · 10/10/2012 21:24

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.

lalabaloo · 12/10/2012 14:12

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 · 19/10/2012 14:28

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!

TalkinPeace2 · 19/10/2012 18:19

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

makeoneuplater · 29/10/2012 11:27

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!

BsshBossh · 03/12/2012 22:12

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?

LollipopViolet · 31/12/2012 13:52

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!

TalkinPeace2 · 07/01/2013 22:33

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

Lollipop Yoga might be good for that.

BsshBossh · 10/01/2013 22:41

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.

PatsysPyjamas · 12/01/2013 09:48

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.

cocoachannel · 12/01/2013 14:21

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!!

LollipopViolet · 12/01/2013 23:03

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 Grin

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 23/01/2013 21:09

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.

fatlazymummy · 25/01/2013 17:19

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!

Thistledew · 03/02/2013 20:08

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?

TalkinPeace2 · 08/02/2013 16:11

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 ....

WasabiPea · 08/02/2013 22:33

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??!!

Original poster
aristocat · 18/02/2013 19:15

So nice to see everyone still swimming away Smile 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!

OP posts: