Started swimming again after quite a few years off. I have found I have developed a strong addiction to my pull bouy which I affectionately call my "diaper"...... (as well as wearing my paddles). I do most of my main sets with them both on. I don't seem to have any shoulder problems using the paddles so often ...... which surprises me.
I'm wondering if this is a healthy addiction. Then again, I am old and need my diaper to stay a float easier.
John Smith
No toys. I am in a "no toys" phase. I gave away my agility paddles after one workout: They got between me and the water; it felt like trying to play cello while wearing mittens. I like fins every rare while, but they aggravate a chronic tendinitis in my ankles. I do not like pull buoys or kickboards for any reason.
Is it better to swim without toys and just grind it out every day..... or stay entertained with lots of equipment and idle chit chat between sets?
It is better to get in the water and swim. When you are done swimming, get out. If you are "grinding it out", you are trying to do too much!
But that's just me ... maybe later I will be all for toys!
Started swimming again after quite a few years off. Welcome back.
I find pull buoys a distraction from trying to connect my kick to my hip rotation and pull. The again, I'm exceptionally uncoordinated so I need all distractions removed.
Having said that, my new addiction are the Finis agility paddles, the first paddles I've liked swimming with in 40 years of training. My second new addiction is the snorkel, but I have to use that sparingly since I also have coordination problems breathing while swimming.
Below Average Coordination Patrick
I'm wondering if this is a healthy addiction. Then again, I am old and need my diaper to stay a float easier.
Anything that keeps you coming to the pool is healthy, no matter what that other Smith might say.
Is it better to swim without toys and just grind it out every day..... or stay entertained with lots of equipment and idle chit chat between sets?
Better for what? Your sanity or for getting faster? :)
I think there's a happy medium. Toys are great, but try to use them sparingly. If you see yourself going for the pull buoy on every longer set then, yes, you are addicted and you should seek help.
Former Member
Having said that, my new addiction are the Finis agility paddles, the first paddles I've liked swimming with in 40 years of training. My second new addiction is the snorkel, but I have to use that sparingly since I also have coordination problems breathing while swimming.
Below Average Coordination Patrick
Pull the snorkel straps very tight, so that when you come off the wall, the force of the water doesn't push it sideways. Big breath before the turn, so that you can give a big clearing blast after the turn. And if you need to, wear a nose clip...
YMMV.
And I've just started using the Agility paddles, too...
Former Member
I have never been a big fan of fins...... not sure why. Although I am a stong supporter of having and using a lot of toys on deck. Toys help pass the time.
Is it better to swim without toys and just grind it out every day..... or stay entertained with lots of equipment and idle chit chat between sets?
I notice my "masters minute" between sets has grown to more than a minute now that I am old.
Former Member
Better for what? Your sanity or for getting faster? :)
I think there's a happy medium. Toys are great, but try to use them sparingly. If you see yourself going for the pull buoy on every longer set then, yes, you are addicted and you should seek help.
Well..... yes..... I am addicted to my pull bouy and paddles. I receive much grief when I workout with "real" Masters Swimmers who train regularly. Deservedly so..... but..... I just wanted to check if others had similar struggles doing the yardage.
To answer your question "sanity" is the issue. Getting faster is not really much of an option any more. I'd be happy with slowing the decline or just maintenance....... :-)
We do quite a lot of long, fast swims, with little rest with pull bouy and paddles. I look at these sets like James mentioned, as weight training in the pool. We do a mix of distances, but my favorite is the 10x300 set on 1.10 pace in short course yards. This one is a killer!
I have also become addicted to my snorkel and try to use this every workout. I find it really helps me work my stroke, by eliminating breathing. I have actually found that it helps my turns, because unless my streamline is right off the wall I will rip the snorkel off on the push off the wall.
Sigh, we really need a "like" button on the forums!
Agreed!
My problem is just that I'm addicted to workout! Sometimes I have to remind myself that the reason I'm swimming and training is to go to meets! I love toys most when training alone, they break up the boredom.
we do our kicking very fast w/ short rest intervals (e.g. 12 x 100 @ 1:20 in SCYards)
Is that fast with long fins? I haven't used fins for so long I have no idea.
On my team we rarely do pull sets, but sometimes when we do we put a band around our ankles in addition to using a pull buoy. This makes a much bigger difference than you think it would! We don't swim long sets like this. Usually it will be something like alternating 50s pull with paddles, buoy and band followed by a 25 fast with paddles only. Lots of taking off and putting on equipment in this set...
