I have decided that I am going to start participating in my tri club's Saturday swims.
I hope that it is not premature. I can breath, yes, but I can not really sustain major lappage at this point. :) I hope that it will be a nice "go at your own pace" type of practice, but I will find out this Saturday bright and early at 7AM. *gulp* I am used to getting up early to run... this is going to be a whole new thing for me. What no more martini's on a Friday night? No Jenn. No more. *packs the champange, pear juice, and Belvedere away* (And yes I make mine with champagne. Call it the RG twist.)
In the pool today I got to thinking as I always do when I am putting my body into new and potentially over-my-head situations, why on earth can I not do more than 1/2 lap at a time? Shouldn't I be able to do at least 1 complete lap without stopping at the end of the pool?
The more I thought about this, the more I realized that swimming IS just like running. In the early stages at least. I did not start off whipping out miles like they were going out of fashion. I started off by running a few seconds (60) then walking for a bit. Then like a good shampooing, I repeated. Every go I would try to increase the running and shorten the walking until I made it to non-stop running euphoria. Well, OK. Maybe not euphoria per say... but pretty close for this at-the-time couch potato.
Should swimming be any different? Is it not the same process of building endurance?
I worked hard at running straight through my first mile. And that was the SWEETEST mile ever ran by yours truly.
Should I approach my base-building adventures the same way? Start off by doing 25's... making it my goal to be able to do 50's by Thanksgiving? Then work my way up to 100's and on?
It sounds completely logical to me. But... it still beggs to be asked - is that right?
*scratches head*
I am going with yes.
Survey says........
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RG
16 comments:
I couldn't swim a single lap two years ago. I think it is just like running (but harder to get started...then it becomes easier) in that you have to build up.
The first time I could swim across the pool and back, I squealed in delight.
Then I could do 100s, then 200s, and before I knew it, swimming 800 straight wasn't such a big deal...then came a mile...
yeah, just like running. you're doing great!!
Great effort, Jenn. You are doing awesome!
That's exactly the way to approach it. I remember at my first swim meet I swam 25m and was astounded that I could do something like that. You'll ace it.
survey says 'yes'.
i could not swim a length.
i could not swim the WIDTH of my condo's pool.
now, i am Aquaman.
it's JUST like running from an endurance perspective.
except that it's more like golfing. anyway can knock the ball around, but it's a complicated stroke, that takes time to learn in order to be proficient.
Keep up the good work. You're going about it the right way ... in my opinion :)
I think you are onto something there. I still top out at about 200-300 myself, now trying to go fast 100 is just about it (I’m a flipping road bike racer, what the [expletive deleted] am I doing in this [expletive deleted] pool?) :).
I'll be there Saturday, lane 2, but I can’t stay past 8:00, got a eye appointment at 9:00.
I thought for sure you were going to say IM ;-)
you bet your ass you build endurance with swimming!!!! you are doing SO well!!! you would be ready for a HIM in 2008, why wait for 09??!!!
I think the answer is both yes and no. Swimming is more dependant on technique that running. We were designed to run, not swim. Once you get your technique down then it becomes about building endurance. I don’t know if the FAST guys coach or not but you might want to find one.Good luck
i remember the first time i got into the school when i decided to get into triathlon. i thought i was having a heart attack! and you are right - i couldn't go more than 1/2 a lap either!
work on the techniques they teach you and you will be a fishy in no time!!
By George, I think she’s got it! Just remember to stop in the shallow end…….
I think the Saturday swim is a great idea.
I amsame way about only swimming 1/2 laps and stopping. Today was the first day of my short swimming life that I did a full lap before stopping. I was so excited!!!!! Keep it up you are doing great!!!!
No its not sad, its Great!!
I've been swimming on Saturday morning's with my tri-club for 3 weeks now. (at 8am - I get more sleep hehe) Of course we are focusing on technique, learning the crawl and breathing. I couldn't do 1 lap the first week without grabbing on the rope and last week I did 50m without stopping. So...
Yes, I would approch it the way you said by building up, like running
btw...I LOVE my Saturday morning swims :)
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