One of my earplugs popped out this morning. Couldn't see where. Never found it.
I am still not used to water going in and out of my ear when I breathe. It was weird trying to breathe on my left side because I'd feel the cold water on my eardrum (I am guessing) and it would really distract me. I know that I probably need to try to get used to this...but I didn't want to struggle throughout my workout today...so I decided to only breathe on the right side and keep going. On occasion I tried the left side again but the feeling just wasn't conducive to focusing on the other 52 things I am trying to learn.
Other than "just do it" can anyone offer any words of wisdom on how to get used to swimming without nose or ear plugs?
It's not that water bothers me. I've done scuba and I am perfectly comfortable in water. Something weird happens when you rotate your head to breathe in freestyle and I can't quite put my finger on it. I opted for plugging everything up so that I can focus on learning at this stage.
Thanks.
I swam for 14 years without earplugs...until halfway through this year. One day a couple of months ago, while swimming, my inner ears started to hurt so bad my goggles filled with tears from the pain. Bought some nice earplugs (the non-moldable kind) and the pain has not returned. I swam with those for a while until I started using a waterproof MP3 player that uses large ear plugs. This past week my player lost its charge, so I had to finish my workout without earplugs. It was really, really weird feeling the water gush in and out of my ears. It wasn't too painful, but I did not like the feeling. It kinda gave me a headache.
I have noticed since I started using earplugs that my ear canals are much more sensitive and my hearing has improved a little bit. And with better hearing, I'm getting more headaches. I have never used a nose plug. I tried it once, swallowed half of the pool and vowed NEVER again.
Best of luck to you. You, your ears, and your nose will eventually come to a happy place and it will feel right.
I swam for 14 years without earplugs...until halfway through this year. One day a couple of months ago, while swimming, my inner ears started to hurt so bad my goggles filled with tears from the pain. Bought some nice earplugs (the non-moldable kind) and the pain has not returned. I swam with those for a while until I started using a waterproof MP3 player that uses large ear plugs. This past week my player lost its charge, so I had to finish my workout without earplugs. It was really, really weird feeling the water gush in and out of my ears. It wasn't too painful, but I did not like the feeling. It kinda gave me a headache.
I have noticed since I started using earplugs that my ear canals are much more sensitive and my hearing has improved a little bit. And with better hearing, I'm getting more headaches. I have never used a nose plug. I tried it once, swallowed half of the pool and vowed NEVER again.
Best of luck to you. You, your ears, and your nose will eventually come to a happy place and it will feel right.
