[Closed] Swimming fitness

10 lengths is still a damn sight more than I could do though.👍

It's the rapid decline I suppose, not something I've had in any other sport.

20 months? Rapid?

Last time I tried I did two laps and practically threw up then I tried a tumble turn in which I simulatiously snorted a bunch of water, swallowed a bit more then ****tedmy forehead off the bottom.

Breast stroke from now on.

^^ Sorry but that did make me chuckle a little.

Ouch though!

20 months isn't "rapid". And it should come back relatively quickly. Main thing is the technique is still there. And that you enjoy it I guess.

I feel your pain : https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/i-am-not-as-fgit-or-fast-as-i-was-shocker/

12 swimming lessons so far at the grand age of 43. 15 metres would be heroic at the moment

12 swimming lessons so far at the grand age of 43. 15 metres would be heroic at the moment

Good for you. Once it clicks you'll think it's all worth it. Swimming is a delight.

Never saw that WCA but seems to fit the model. Mental note to self to get back the swimfit.

Started swimming recently too, aim to do two morning sessions a week before work. First week I was dreadful and was getting passed easily by the old grannies. Roll on a few weeks and I'm much better and can hold my own with the pensioners, though I know I'll never be good enough to progress out of the slow lane.

But our local pool is now closing for 5 months for a refurb too make it carbon neutral; solar panels, heat pumps, reducing the depth of the deep end & deepening the shallow end to make the water heating more efficient, etc. So that's the end of that. 🙁

I found the same thing after lockdown.
First trip back, I was the same as you. Did about 10 lengths and my arms, breathing were knackered.
Second trip, managed about 30 lengths.
Third trip, 70 lengths.
Fourth trip, back to full distance (about a mile on a good day).

Keep it up. You'll get there.

Wait until you try an open water swim. Then you realise how much you rely on the turn for a rest 😂

I would but I've now got swimmers ear. Never got this in my life. Maybe my body has rotted away during lockdown.

Ear bulbs are the answer. Clean out your ears with warm water after every swim:

I swim better in open water, I get into a rhythm and reach a level of efficiency I never seem to find in a 25m pool but get close to in a 50m. Swimming in the sea when it's warm is much easier than a pool due to the float from salt water. The Med in Summer is a delight.

I swim better in open water, I get into a rhythm and reach a level of efficiency I never seem to find in a 25m pool but get close to in a 50m. Swimming in the sea when it’s warm is much easier than a pool due to the float from salt water. The Med in Summer is a delight.

I don't disagree but it's a bit of a shock the first time you pass 25 and don't get a boost.

Earplugs for me now, after decades of cold water surfing's finally got to me this last year. They do work and it's nice being able to hear after a surf and not worry about infections, blockages and impending surfer's ear.

I like open water, well the sea, but swimming in the pool is the most boring form of exercise available as far as I'm concerned. Possibly because I hate chlorine which gets in my nose and eyes whatever I do, and I don't want to blow disposable contacts on a swim (happy to on a surf) which means it amounts to sensory deprivation as I can't see or hear anything much. And I've never experienced very much of a training effect though clearly others differ and that's me doing something wrong. Should've got lessons I guess, but cba now.

Yes I used to swim 1km x 5 times a week, brilliant all round fitness. Sadly loads of ear infections too.

Haven't swum for 18 months now, pools open but I bought home gym stuff, q tempted to bet back into it. You are right though, takes a while to build the fitness up. Once there you can swim all day, I did 2km once, just felt really good so ploughed on.

I find fitness is less of a problem than remembering how to swim. The longest I haven't swum for a while was when the pool shut for six weeks in the first Covid wave. Back in the pool the second 50m began to feel a bit long so I went through my back to basics check list:

"Legs are sinking - stop pressing down to lift your head you idiot, rotate. Legs are still sinking - elbows high! Legs are still sinking - kick from the hip, just a two beat because you're knackering yourself with four. Right the legs aren't sinking now but you're working too hard - slow it down, leave the arm out front a bit just letting it sink before pulling. etc.."

I miss it loads (stopped going since Covid and also an injury) but in a way of getting back there because I know that the 50 lengths will be more like 5. Initially it took me about year from never-swimming fat knacker to get to 1200m. So guessing a good few months to reclaim.

Swimming has to be the most zen activity I’ve done, it can completely silence the busy mind, and I’ve never once regretted going. Always prefer to walk home after a night-swim also, for some reason.