Swimming for fitness (part 2). Jump in!

[rightsofwomen]

We've filled up the first Swimming for fitness thread, so here is the new one.

Everyone welcome.

80 lengths! Well done, esp as you didn't really want to go. Well done to you too caterpillar, it so needs to become routine doesn't it.

I repeated my 4 consecutive lengths the other night. Looking forward to having some uninterrupted training for the next few weeks and then DH calls to tell me he has to be away next week and the week after . My weekends are going to have to be crammed full of exercise!!

singing spinning is so ridiculous if you look from the outside in! Especially as the instructor is trying to make the class feel like they're competing in the Tour de France!

I elbowed my way through the middle lane to do a nice 80 lengths at lunchtime - it was really, really busy in the fast and middle lanes today which wasn't very relaxing tbh.
Sunday I'm going to the lake for the first time this year, so am about to go on a search for my neoprene gloves/socks/hat. Getting up a 6 on a Sunday to go and get really cold is not the greatest idea of fun!

Will be interested to hear how you do on Sunday CMOT. Are the neoprene hat/socks/gloves a necessity at this time of year?

Well, if you are really acclimatised to cold water, possibly not - obv some people aren't even in a wetsuit of the OW swimmers (not triathletes). But I really feel the cold, and all the metal in my bad arm makes it really cold - so I'm all for maximum warmth! Water temp will be about 14'C which is pretty chilly for me

Also intrigued by the gloves. I have raynauds and it takes an age for me to thaw.
Sometimes a busy pool really annoys me but when I'm struggling I actually find it a welcome diversion.

I am half-wondering about vaseline on fingers while swimming. Anyone who does this... does it last for the whole swim, do you just lose it when fiddling with goggles? Chlorine makes all of me squirm but worst on fingertips.

I didn't plan to swim today, but child who I was looking after today and ds decided that we should go to the Lido. So I got a nice swim in the lanes, then we did a great deal of mucking about/swimming through each others legs/pretending to do synchro. 4 hours we were there, inc having lunch halfway through. I let child wear my dryrobe, so was grateful that I was wearing my long sleeves but swimsuit cut thin wetsuit while sitting outside!

First wetsuit swim in Jesus Green lido (Cambridge).
OMG it was cold (14C). Did 10 lengths (100yd pool - endless!).
Had to get out. Then could not get warm. Lifeguard just took my tea before I dropped it and nearly passed out.
Apart from that, was really good to practice- very different to non wet suit.

And there were people without wetsuits. It was first day it opened and I think it's a thing for locals to "celebrate" the season! Nutters!

I am shivering rightsofwomen. Still umming and ahhhing about keeping my wetsuit. I am at the tallest end of medium for pretty much all ranges but not big enough for a large which means that the neck line isn't just tight but pulls down making it pretty restrictive. A friend suggested trying men's sizing so may try to find a place to do that.

I dragged myself out of bed, and did two laps of the lake- and may have overdressed as I was toasty! Neoprene hat, thermal high viz hat, wetsuit, neoprene vest, socks and gloves ! Lovely sunny day too
Raah, a men wetsuit might well work, but some makes do a medium tall size.

pressed post too soon!

Here's some photos from this morning

Rightsofwomen, I just can't get my head round deliberately getting so cold swimming without a wetsuit, but people say that it feels great after a bit. Am still not convinced! Hope you've warmed up now

Thats gorgeous CMOT, but i dont do cold water, brrr. Admire anyone who can do it.

I went to gym this morning then a swim. Decided to do front crawl and managed about 30 as nice empty pool, think the adrenalin from the gym helped. Then had technical failure with headphones so did another 8 in breaststroke and came home.

lljkk I use Vaseline on my hands when I swim and it is the only reason I can now stay in the water for more than 20 mins. It's brilliant but you have to get totally ready including goggles down before you put it on otherwise your goggles get greasy. It lasts me a swim of 1700 metres.

Did 38lengths!!!! I started 3/4 weeks ago on 22 I think (I ought to start recording) and then just been swimming after an hours aqua.

Oh it feels so good. Was going to stop at 22 but just wanted to keep going.... It's so addictive isn't it! I'm seriously fat/unfit onland and can't walk masses so this feels so good :)

I'm in awe of all your long distances (and swimming outdoors!!) Well done!

Fab on the 38. :)
I tried vaseline on fingers... it lasted maybe 40 minutes. I think it was a help, will do again.

Well done caterpillar that's great.

I got the usual 40L done then added couple of slow steady frontcrawl lengths my DD told I was doing the "zip up n lock drill" as I slide my arms up side (zip bit)and touched hands briefly on top under water was the" lock" bit. I just thought it was helping my front crawl arm position and felt nice to be doing it.

This dropped off my threads!

I've been neglecting the thread as I've been busy!

Masters is great - evil - but great! They cancelled the session last Sunday due to a gala so I made up by going last Monday, (smashing quiet session) then Tuesday with boyf (lovely pool, hideously busy) day off on weds and masters on Thursday.

Took dc to aquapark and did another 1000m. In all a 5.6k week. Too much. I was too exhausted after a walk on Sunday to make the masters session that night

All in all I'm happy with my progress, I'm swimming much faster, which may have impacted a bit on the distance sets, but masters warm up starts with "3 or 4 150m sets or 200m sets.... GO!" I just need to find my pace a bit better, so as the arms can keep up and the shoulder doesn't complain too much.

Coach says I'm doing well... I'm getting better, but it's slow progress!

Hey, I was sent her from my aibu thread. Not sure I belong here....

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2930232-I-need-a-quick-swift-kick-up-the-arse-Swimming-anxiety

I'm a shit swimmer... I can't swim on my front very well at all either!

Hey!! You made it!!

There are ALL kinds of swimmers here! Dive in!!

Highway , you did 25 lengths that is brilliant.

I got my swimathon result.
Out of 2700 odd in my 50 -54 age group who did 5k i came 306. I thought i would be nearer the bottom as i was the last one in our pool for 40 minutes.

Missing my swims at the moment (stinking cold and new puppy)...I'd got to the stage of being comfortable with 1k freestyle in 30 mins...going to have to work to get that back :-(

Petra Don't lose heart. It will come back. And having a new puppy is lovely.

Bruffin What an amazing result. You nailed it girl! Be proud.

Highway Of course you belong. We are all supporting each other and celebrating our individual achievements.

Hissy Well done. You're determined. I like that.