swimming for fitness

[HoppityFrogs]

I've started swimming to get fit, does anybody else swim for fit? Can we encourage each other?

I did d try that lunchtime. I was a bit slower and I can't say it was easier BUT I was definitely using my upper back muscles more as I can feel them aching. Plus I was swallowing more water so I guess my head must have been lower when I was breathing. Hmm.

Blimey think I've really been bitten by the swimming bug. Mananged 1.4 km this morning. Swam for longer and rested much less. Managed 200m of solid front crawl (I really struggle with crawl). Decided to aim towards getting good/fit enough for some open water swimming. Has anyone tried that?

Open water swimming always sounds so cold. Friend had a go & fretted a lot about the wetsuit fit. It's not ticking my "fun" box.

Occasionally I go swimming at the beach or even a mountain tarn, but don't think that's what was meant.

1K done at lunch time. 38/40 lengths with the lane to myself.
Felt good. Running a half marathon tomorrow (pacing not racing as I raced last week) so took it easy.

I did a non-coached swim this afternoon. Got my mile done in 40 mins, pretty happy with that. Didn't have to stop too much, getting the hang of resting during a slow lap.

I concentrated on the first 2 tips in this video and noticed a huge difference in how tired I was (or wasn't!). It was fab!

www.tribasetraining.com/top-3-freestyle-swim-tips/

Thanks 4 the video, Facelike. That's about the level of technical I can handle (I already knew I did all that stuff imperfectly & was pondering how to work on them).

The video Hissy posted is pretty much the same too!

That video is v. interesting, especially the timing bit. I can see that being quite a challenge to o, but it does make sense. Made me realise I must be doing the windmilling thing! I did try the head positioning this morning, and it did feel better, but I kept drifting back to my 'head down-ish but eyes forward' mode, which I think does put a bit of strain in my neck.
400m this morning, with a fair amount of freestyle and backstroke. Have decided to take the 'increase by 10% each time' approach to avoid being sore all over afterwards.

DD (was a competitive club swimmer) told me to do the windmill thing.
I have Hopeless sense of rhythm or timing so "challenging" is one word for it... Still, will see what I can do. I have reasons to do a S L O W session today, anyway.

Does anyone here wear Zoggs swimsuits? Are they true to size? I like the look of the ones with the padded cups but wondering if they'd be a pain ...

Thanks!

I don't have a Zoggs swimsuit so can't help you there, Face. Sorry.

I got to the pool early this morning to find it was shut! Chlorine levels were wrong and it was being 'recalibrated'. I was offered the pool in the health suite and gave it a go but it was hopeless - very hot and full of ladies swimming doggy paddle and chatting! L-shaped too so you can't do proper lengths. I came home and did a short run (I only had 15 minutes left before sorting the family out for school, managed nearly 1.5 miles). Better luck tomorrow!

2 of my suits are Zoggs ( who knew? ). I have a Tyr suit that I save for... something special (? ) ... and a tankini outfit I only wear when supervising kids. Does anyone else want to wax trivia about their suits?

I need 14-16 on top & 8-10ish on bottom. Both my Zoggs suits are 14 & fit ok. I bought last one from Wiggle & the sizing info must have been good enough.

I've signed up for a 2 hour coaching clinic in Dublin as part of the swim a mile challenge I'm doing in 2 weeks time. I'm really looking forward to it. It's run by some ex-Olympian ... hopefully will pick up some useful tips.

The pool was open again today after the chlorine problems yesterday. I took a Swimtag and then forgot to wear it! I think I did the usual 1650m in around 33 / 34 mins. Your coaching clinic sounds excellent, Face. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks Singing - that's a brilliant time. I'd love to get it done sub 40 ..

I'm a bit disheartened after last night's session. Firstly I felt wrecked, like I had nothing in the tank, and the hour was a real struggle. Then near the end of the class, a coach we had never worked with before commented on my technique and told me my stroke was too short and I was sinking too much when breathing ... then gave me loads of tips and some drills to practice. Now i'm just so confused and don't know what to be doing!

Argh!

Being given contradictory advice is very tricky, Face. Will you get your usual coach back next time? If so would it be good to wait until then before you change the way you swim and ask your usual coach's opinion? On a different but related point … my daughters went to swimming lessons privately and then have each attended the school swimming lessons in Y3 (the 'every child should leave primary school able to swim 25m' ones) and come home baffled at being told new things about their strokes. I'm surprised how different the approaches are to swimming the same strokes!

I had a zoggs with padded cup ( pictured up the thread) but took out the pads out as they are removeable. I love that swimsuit. It has lasted for years.

I have had a cold again so missed last week so went to aquatic centre with dd last night and did 1900m in an hour breaststroke so was pleased with that.

Eeeep, this fell off my "I'm on" threads. Back now.

1K done in busy pool this morning, but everyone courteous.

Got an eye full of Mr Speedo's genitals as he swam breaststroke in front of me. Now there's a good argument for keeping my head facing DOWN!

face that sounds excellent!

Hello! Newbie here. I'm just learning front crawl as I'm doing an open water triathlon in the summer. I did a pool triathlon last year but did breaststroke, 500m in 13minutes which I was chuffed with but I really need to get to grips with front crawl. It's so bloomin hard though!! I'm yet to manage more than a length unless wearing flippers! Any tips wise MN swimmers?

Ps I'm in awe of some of the distances people on here are doing!

Welcome Igottastartthinkingbee. I can barely do breastroke (I have little confidence swimming it from having been told I had a screw kick when at school) so I'm the opposite to you! Front crawl tips …um … look down (face in), kick from the hips, get used to breathing every three strokes (so both sides). I watched that link that Face put on further up the thread and found that useful (www.tribasetraining.com/top-3-freestyle-swim-tips/). MaxandRuby further up the thread was talking about open water swimming too. I must admit it scares me a little!

I cannot do breaststroke to save my life. I've been warned off it now anyway due to a dodgy knee, but I've always found it impossible,

Front crawl- definately make sure you have your face looking down. Kick from the hips not knees and try snd keep your legs as straight as possible to give you more power. I'm trying to master the breathe every 3 strokes and have to do every 2 or 4 as can only breathe on one side. One of the reasons I'm keen to do open water is that pre kids I used to dive so love being in the water outside in nature. Need to get much fitter/thinner to wear the outfit though lol

Our swimteachers best tip is swim as though you are swimming through a tunnel.

Apparently, breathing both sides doesn't. Mean every 3. It just means breath on side a or side b in equal measure. So apparently it's ok to do a length of breathing On the left, then another on the right ...

No, I've not mastered it yet either...

I did go tonight, intention was to do TI and see how far I've could go. I went to 1650m. Watch has its moments. I ended up having done over 1800m!

I am TIRED this morning. Did a swim Monday, weights on Tues and a tough swim last night. We did 2000m in the hour, but she had us on 6 sets of 125m with only about 10s rest between ... it was a killer - that extra 25m is just cruel

I am looking forward to doing zero exercise until my coaching clinic on Sunday.

I would love a swim watch or swim tracker ... they're expensive though aren't they? What would be the most cost effective option?