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
Increasingly, here in Canada, where Governments actually pay attention to science / health experts (Aaww Jees.....I'm going to get crucified for that, aren't I?) it seems to me that it will be at least September when I resume regular indoor pool swimming. Anything before that will be a lovely surprise.
Sadly, I think misery will be a new normal. We will forever be even more subject to arbitrary aquatics directors/leaders opinions on safety.
Unfortunately I believe you are correct, Kurt. This is just the opportunity control freaks have been waiting for. I'm all for measures that make sense, but there's definitely some shenanigans going on. There was a story in the Seattle paper yesterday that discussed how all the city owned tennis courts are padlocked despite the governor specifically allowing racket sports earlier in the month. City guy they quoted said they are "still assessing..." :rolleyes:
We're still at least a few weeks from pools being allowed to open here. I've been swimming in the lake and it's crazy how many swimmers there are out there!
Before all the closures began, I swam at the YMCA pool. They are opening their cardio and weights areas on May 26, but they have not committed to opening the pool. In addition, they announced that when the pool does re-open, they will no longer support a Masters program. :(
This leaves me wondering what to do. The Y has the nicest competition pool in the area, in the state as a matter of fact. We have been told by the aquatics director that if we want to have lanes for un-coached group workouts that we have to pay per lane per hour on top of our membership dues. In other words, they are not being at all accommodating to Masters.
A local health club chain reopened yesterday. Some of their locations have pools, not nearly as nice as the Y's, but pools. I can't decide what to do... Wait another month to see if the Y decides to open their pool, or just join the health club? Ugh. As long as the weather stays decent, I guess that I'll keep working on my flip turns in my parents' 13yd backyard pool.
kristilynn -
Our YMCA has an entirely different outlook on Masters swimming. Here is the text of an email they sent last week:
Welcome Back Masters
We are excited to announce that Masters swim will be one of the first programs to resume on June 1st as the Y opens.
The Y is excited to welcome back our Masters program starting June 1st in the outdoor pool. As we work to abide by health regulations, our program will look a little differently following safety guidelines from the CDC and YMCA policy. Jacky Yen will be our new coach and will introduce herself soon followed with more detailed information on the masters schedule and regulations. See more details on the YMCA reopen below:
The Masters program at our Y has been very robust over the last 15 years and the director makes the program a priority. It is a shame that there is not a nationwide emphasis on masters programs.
It seems that each pool will determine how to allow us to return to swimming.
There is no100% right way to do this since we are all learning how to stay safe.
Dissatisfied with waiting for pools to open, I found a natural location to swim in last week. I only went about 50 meters, but after 2 1/2 months dry, it was a beginning. And the fish did not seem to mind. But the water was 40-50 degrees at 10 am.
kristilynn -
Our YMCA has an entirely different outlook on Masters swimming. Here is the text of an email they sent last week:
Welcome Back Masters
We are excited to announce that Masters swim will be one of the first programs to resume on June 1st as the Y opens.
The Y is excited to welcome back our Masters program starting June 1st in the outdoor pool. As we work to abide by health regulations, our program will look a little differently following safety guidelines from the CDC and YMCA policy. Jacky Yen will be our new coach and will introduce herself soon followed with more detailed information on the masters schedule and regulations. See more details on the YMCA reopen below:
The Masters program at our Y has been very robust over the last 15 years and the director makes the program a priority. It is a shame that there is not a nationwide emphasis on masters programs.
I'm so jealous.
Yeah, I'm going to go and check out the lake soon. I'm not an open-water person, but desperate times call for desperate measures. My last swim was March 13th. Perhaps I will begin lake swimming on June 13th. 3 months off constitutes a really big break, right? (6 months off constitutes starting from scratch.)
Yeah, I'm going to go and check out the lake soon. I'm not an open-water person, but desperate times call for desperate measures. My last swim was March 13th. Perhaps I will begin lake swimming on June 13th. 3 months off constitutes a really big break, right? (6 months off constitutes starting from scratch.)
I've started swimming with the local open water group. It is very different. We've been swimming against some raging current. Biggest issue I found was the first time I went, I got very disoriented, and a bit dizzy. Ended up going back out after a break, and made the swim. But be sure you spot VERY frequently, that was the difference for me. I'm not going to tell you I enjoy it, but there is a weird masochistic thing in there when you are determined to complete a swim. The comradery seems very tight with the group, which is cool.
