I'm a newbie and just had my first practice yesterday sharing the lane with other swimmers. There were five of us, and it was horrible. I could barely get across one length of the pool and I actually panicked because I've never swum with others in the lane, certainly not four or five other people, and I was afraid of hitting or being hit. I stayed close to the rope, so much that I hit it a few times. Now I'm thinking, should I have joined this program? Am I one of those people who just prefers to swim alone? It was pretty scary.
I know those of you who do this all the time probably think, pffffft. No biggie. But I've never been so tense in the pool and when I swim on my own, I'm fine, do lots of laps for about an hour with very few breaks, so I know it's not my skill level. But I don't even know if I want to go back to a practice. I got bumped a few times, bumped into someone else, and basically made a fool of myself.
I also noticed that certain people displace the water an awful lot, and that was a new sensation.
Thank you all for sharing. I don't feel like such a failure knowing others out there have the same concerns.
I, too, suffer from Meniere's but swimming seems to actually help - though I don't do, and never have done, flip turns. Even as a kid I couldn't do anything that involved tumbling. Repetitive motion can either be a huge help or bring on dizziness, and when I start to get dizzy, I stop for a few moments then continue and it goes away. It's too bad. I've always wanted to train Aikido LOL.
I swam this morning and after a half dozen laps and getting some confidence and regular breathing back, I was fine. I think it's hard when you're new to the sport to get used to being in a lane with others, and like you, ElaineK, I have no problem swimming with others if we're not in the same lane. I practiced staying to one side this morning, and hit the lane line once or twice. I'm intimidated being in a lane with people who are a lot bigger than me because I feel like I'm getting hit by a huge wave. I just have to try it a couple more times and see if it's worthwhile or if perhaps I'm better off swimming on my own, though I'd miss the coaching. I've only been a couple of times but have already improved because the coaches are awesome.
Thank you all for sharing. I don't feel like such a failure knowing others out there have the same concerns.
I, too, suffer from Meniere's but swimming seems to actually help - though I don't do, and never have done, flip turns. Even as a kid I couldn't do anything that involved tumbling. Repetitive motion can either be a huge help or bring on dizziness, and when I start to get dizzy, I stop for a few moments then continue and it goes away. It's too bad. I've always wanted to train Aikido LOL.
I swam this morning and after a half dozen laps and getting some confidence and regular breathing back, I was fine. I think it's hard when you're new to the sport to get used to being in a lane with others, and like you, ElaineK, I have no problem swimming with others if we're not in the same lane. I practiced staying to one side this morning, and hit the lane line once or twice. I'm intimidated being in a lane with people who are a lot bigger than me because I feel like I'm getting hit by a huge wave. I just have to try it a couple more times and see if it's worthwhile or if perhaps I'm better off swimming on my own, though I'd miss the coaching. I've only been a couple of times but have already improved because the coaches are awesome.
