Swimmers unite!

[aristocat]

Any swimmers still here?

There were quite a few of us last year, just wondered if you are still here. I still go 3 or 4 times a week and love it :)

How lovely to find swimming chat! I've had a good read through and thought I'd introduce myself.

I have been swimming on and off for exercise all my life, but never competed. I'm back at it again after a long break and I'm determined to keep going 3 times a week min. I'd love to go on a Swimtrek holiday one day and I'm keen to find some open water swimming soon.

I'm 40 and can breast-stroke up and down a 25m pool for a 100 or so lengths quite fast, but I've never managed the breathing for sustained front crawl. Until last week! I made the breakthrough discovery that I CAN do it if I just go a bit slower. duh. Now I'm thinking about getting some training or joining a class or something to help me improve and use both sides.

hello, im hoping you are going to have some tips and hints for me, ive just started swimming again (I did swim in school but not since) I went to the early session this morning and did 50 lengths (it wasn't pretty) mainly backstroke. I tried front crawl but kept holding my breath for the whole length which is knackering! I cant seem to get my head in the water without inhaling and trying to drown myself any ideas to get over this hurdle.

also im really slow on my front - I seem to be putting lots of effort in and not getting anywhere.

and tips or am I destined to swim on my back forever!

I haven't been in the pool since I did the Swimathon in March, and boy did I feel it today!

My arms felt like lead at @40 lengths and I was going so slow I was almost stationary, but I managed 60 lengths in the end. Took me 40 mins though where they'd normally take me 30 - so I think I need to make an effort to go on a more regular basis

Likewise Dizzy.i did a 3k open water a few weeks back and I've not been in the pool since. But I'm running/cycling instead. I think I will go in the morning. I bet it will feel exhausting after a few weeks out.

I did it

Great North Swim 2 miles at Windermere on Sunday went far better than I could have dreamed! Mill pond flat, lovely and warm (relatively speaking) and generally fantastic atmosphere. I beat my pool time too, which I wasn't expecting, so all round very pleased with myself.

Anyone doing any if the other Great Swim events? I'd really recommend it

I'm a pretty poor swimmer. I'm slow, when I try crawl I get overtaken by the old folks who don't even get their hair wet. I always try to bear my posture in mind.

Today was second swim in about four months, I thought I was doing well, my goggles are missing and the pool was full. Until I farted in the water and tried to smell my own fart. I nearly drowned. Sniffing the water is not recommended.

Hi all

I used to swim in my teens competitively (but was never amazing) and have recently come back to the pool after a lot of years of just playing in the water!

I've got up to 40 lengths in 35 minutes (pb last night of the 30meter pool) but I need something bigger to aim for to keep it up.

The great swims look like a fab experience and idea, when do you start training for a big swim like that and are there any other companies that do something similar?

I've never swam open water (other than when canoeing) and don't know anything about it!

Can I join. Love swimming, stupidly very overweight and have developed an achilles tendon problem which is nagging me enough not to go to the gym at the moment. Bought a swimming costume today (not a practical one wbut it will do until I can comfortably get in my other one) We are very lucky as we have a 10 metre swimming pond on the garden so went in for the first time tonight and will continue, may even brave the sea in a week or two. I want to get back into the habit and encourage my DD 8, she loves swimming and it would be a good form of exercise for her as she is quite landlubberish although game at land side sports.

Always - there is a teenage sister and brother at DD's swim club (think they are 13 and 15) who did the Half Mile at Windermere. He came second and her 34th!!

I went again on Monday and felt much more comfortable this time. 80 lengths in 40mins. DD's coach saw me and said she might join me next week. I hope she's joking.

Does anyone use the lap counting watches?

Hello, I'm hoping to start swimming soon. I'm aiming for 100m to start with and increase by a few lengths each time. Can't quite remember how to swim properly or how to put a swimming cap on so it shall be interesting

Hello all! Just marking place.. I came on to see if there was any advice about swimming hats and front-crawl technique and I've already read loads on this thread - so thankyou!

(I am swimming once/twice a week as cross-training for my marathon running training schedule, and loving it! I've been doing 40 lengths in the pool = 1km but did my first 1600 last night and will try and do the mile each time from now on.)

Wondering how all you other swimmers getting on? I'm managing 3 swims a week and have noticed improvement in fitness. Have had some great ideas from my swim club about how to mix things up and avoid getting bored which has really helped. Other than fitness and toning, I have real aim - not sure that's important but I sometimes wonder.

Only going once every week or so, but hello!

Waves to all swimmers.

I am going 3 x a week & doing a steady 1K of front crawl.

I have had to start using ear plugs as water in ear was really getting bad & I was worried about infections.

I was dreading it, but since getting them I seem to be swimming better!