Work and swimming

I can say this....even when i have to put in the 12+ hour days, like I do during the entire month of december, I still get to the pool a couple times a week and warm up, stretch, and do a couple of sprints-about 1000 yds, this usually takes about 20-30m. I find that this helps my endurance at my job and n keeps my mental health in check. It amazing what just a little "maintainance" work will do for ya. The better shape you keep yourself in the better you'll manage those long days on the job.

I have to get swims in around work as well (twelve hour days of pushing pills). Plus family commitments (with a daughter ready to graduate high school in the spring, no less). For me, I can only make the area workout group's practices once a month, but I get in on my own. I started out a few years ago huffing and puffing to make it though a 500 yard total workout, and slowly just built on to that with going farther each time. It is a hard habit to get back in to, but when the time is available just make up your mind to go for it. I have been able to get in open water swims, which I love (even though I have a fear that Jaws might come up beside me at any moment - yes, even in freshwater lakes). I have lost some weight, toned up a bit, and feel a lot better all around so that I feel like I can contribute more to my family and work. Don't worry about how you look. My wife always tells me that "what other people say about you is none of your business." She is right. If I wasn't hitting the pool, I personally would be on the couch watching tv, which is far less satisfying than immersing myself in chlorine or bodies of water. We are all pulling for you - that you are asking about it shows that you are ready to "jump into the water." :)

I work a lot of crazy hours. Right now I am working two contracts - one full-time at 40-50 hrs/wk and one side project at 10-20 hrs/wk. I go through phases like this, with tons of work, and phases with little or none. Sometimes I have to travel for work. My ideal workout routine is to do something every day, but that doesn't always happen because of work, family, etc. No matter what I'm doing I always make it a priority to swim at least 3 times a week. I find that the only way to ensure that I get my swim in is to do it first thing in the morning. When I'm at home that means Masters 3x/week at 5:30 AM. When I'm on the road I research whatever pools or bodies of water are nearby, and I visit those. Earlier this month I was in NYC and I regularly took the subway to Asphalt Green at 5 AM. It took 35 minutes to get to the pool, but it was well worth it. Going for a swim in the morning sets me up for a good, productive work day. It keeps me sane and allows me to endure the monotony and discomfort of the office. Sometimes I do get pretty tired around 2PM or so, but that's nothing that a good strong cup of coffee can't fix. Like others have mentioned, I tend to lower the intensity of my swims when I am working a lot of hours. Instead of hardcore training, I approach the swimming as more of a restorative exercise.

A lot of interesting answers. I go to a gym with a 25 yard pool when I usually swim. The odd thing is that my old swimming club is in the 25 m. pool across the street where I live. They've been renovating this pool(total new construction) for ages(at least two years!!) Last night I could see many lights on with construction workers doing some sort of last touch ups but it looks like the whole pool is almost finished and might re-open soon. That would mean just crossing the street. It doesn't get any more convenient than that(except if you have your own pool. My secret dream).:D Good luck! BTW, my cousin is also in the animation business here in ATL. He used to work on Cartoon Network (Dexter's Laboratory and others). Now he free lancing I believe. Animation is what got me into swimming in the first place. When you animate you are often hunched over your animation desk drawing in a tense position all day. When I just started out in animation a couple of colleagues would always go during lunch time because swimming is the best relief for your back. One friend convinced me to go along. I was mainly a cyclist until then but all of a sudden I was hooked.

I have a very similar schedule. I am in the restaurant business and work til early in the morning. I average about 3K yards a day. I find that a 45 min nap between workout & work is key for me. It gives me enough energy to last for a very active 10hr. shift.

People I encounter only occasionally in my life tend to ask me "Are you still swimming?" which I always answer "That is a lot like asking me if I am still breathing." I will always swim just maybe not at the level I do now. I will always find a way to be in the water for the rest of my life, even if I have to back off some in yardage and intensity, it is still good for my head.

When work gets busy, that's when I'm grateful that I run as well as swim--and I have to admit I'm mainly a runner, but do like swimming enough to want to keep it in my life (for injury prevention and variety in the competition I can choose). But time-wise, running works well because I don't have to worry about pool hours or getting to a pool... I step out the door and there's my venue. Still, I am grateful for swimming, because it complements the running. I am working different muscles, so developing better overall strength. And I miss when I'm not able to get in as much or any swimming. So this is a helpful thread in terms of organizing my life to include both. It's good to know when I'm really pressed for time that I don't have to be denied a good workout. That's when I step out the door and run my "hilly loop"--and charge up the hills. And it's also good to know that I can add intensity/endurance to my schedule in a lower-impact way when I need to. To Lui, you might want to consider (until your pool across the street reopens) adding running to your routine. It'll keep you fit when your schedule keeps you from getting to a pool to work out (And swimming genies... can I rub a bottle and make a pool materialize across the street from me?) ;)