For me, it's now going on four weeks since my last swim. We were in Turks and Caicos March 7-14 for spring break where I was doing daily open-water swims along the beach. My last swim was a 3-miler on March 13. When we got back to the U.S., we had to go into mandated 14-day quarantine so I wasn't able to get out to go to the pool before they all closed. Who knows when I'll swim again...either open-water warming up (I live in RI), or pools opening again. I am maintaining fitness with bike rides, and a run here and there. And I know I there is other 'dry land' training I could be doing. But my concern when returning to the water is injuring myself because of doing TMTS. I'm just that kind of athlete. Raise you're hand if you think you're a candidate for a TMTS injury too.
Dan
Open water season is about over here in AZ... getting too stinking hot.
While I appreciate the hope expressed in this thread, if we are truly committed to womb to the tomb safety, I'm not sure how we ever get back to swimming. As elderly swimmers, we are going to always be "at risk". How do we get 2000 people together for Nationals again? Who decides when it's safe and on what evidence? If it isn't safe now in a chlorinated pool, why will it be safe in 2 months? So depressing...
Doesn't the risk of transmission have more to do with what happens above the water and not below? If you're standing in close proximity to and having a conversation with an infected person with a vat of sodium hypochlorite between the two of you, wouldn't you still stand a good chance of contracting the virus? Crowded warm up lanes and dozens of bodies behind the blocks as heats go off would be my concern.
Anyway, my hope is that antivirals that can shorten the duration or severity of symptoms will become available (maybe that has already begun, Remdesivir?) before a vaccine works it way to market. Maybe at that point the danger to older adults and those with comorbidities will be reduced sufficiently to allow such large gatherings? Or, maybe instant testing will become more available and could be useful at large events when social distancing or masks are not practical? My sister is an ICU nurse and tells me they have to be very cautious about under what parameters they administer their instant tests or they would run out in a matter of days. Surely that will improve with time, right? Could this be a new business opportunity? Secure the testing equipment and supplies, then contract out to businesses or events.
A wise masters swimmer once told me that it's a good idea to have a number of fitness activities to choose from. If pools are not available or you hurt your shoulder, it's nice to have the ability to just spend more time on your spin bike, go out hiking or running, etc.. So, I'm doing power zone rides and keeping the dogs entertained with long walks!
Open water season is about over here in AZ... getting too stinking hot.
While I appreciate the hope expressed in this thread, if we are truly committed to womb to the tomb safety, I'm not sure how we ever get back to swimming. As elderly swimmers, we are going to always be "at risk". How do we get 2000 people together for Nationals again? Who decides when it's safe and on what evidence? If it isn't safe now in a chlorinated pool, why will it be safe in 2 months? So depressing...
Doesn't the risk of transmission have more to do with what happens above the water and not below? If you're standing in close proximity to and having a conversation with an infected person with a vat of sodium hypochlorite between the two of you, wouldn't you still stand a good chance of contracting the virus? Crowded warm up lanes and dozens of bodies behind the blocks as heats go off would be my concern.
Anyway, my hope is that antivirals that can shorten the duration or severity of symptoms will become available (maybe that has already begun, Remdesivir?) before a vaccine works it way to market. Maybe at that point the danger to older adults and those with comorbidities will be reduced sufficiently to allow such large gatherings? Or, maybe instant testing will become more available and could be useful at large events when social distancing or masks are not practical? My sister is an ICU nurse and tells me they have to be very cautious about under what parameters they administer their instant tests or they would run out in a matter of days. Surely that will improve with time, right? Could this be a new business opportunity? Secure the testing equipment and supplies, then contract out to businesses or events.
A wise masters swimmer once told me that it's a good idea to have a number of fitness activities to choose from. If pools are not available or you hurt your shoulder, it's nice to have the ability to just spend more time on your spin bike, go out hiking or running, etc.. So, I'm doing power zone rides and keeping the dogs entertained with long walks!
