When we return to swimming.

Are you a Y member? If so, why should you have to pay an additional fee on a per lane basis? This is the same question that we've been chasing our tail on for a while. The aquatics director seems bent on making things difficult, which is so odd as she used to coach Masters. Before the closure for the virus, we had to pay an extra $20 a month on top of our membership fee for Masters. This was supposedly for coaching, but finding reliable coaching never seemed to work out. We constantly had no-show coaches or coaches that would show up late. The coach with the title of Head Coach resigned in October 2019, but he had been checked out for quite a while prior to his official resignation. 2017-19 our fee was $30 a month; it was lowered to $20 a month in January of this year due to the lack of a head coach. I don't see how the director could justify charging us extra if a bunch of us show for lap swim and do a workout that someone has brought. We are using the lap swim space the same as any other member, and probably more efficiently since we share lane space and circle swim by ability. I guess if the Y ever re-opens the pool we can test this theory out.

The pool where I swim lifted its ban today. An excerpt from a friendâ€s experience follows. I hope you enjoy.“He entered the pool for the first time through the gate rather than over the fence in the dark of night for the first time in a few months…no longer a cheap harlot but a legitimate girl with her new party dress on her way to the cotillion through the Front Door. ...”Hopefully, we will all escape to the place we love in the near future and meet again.Jeez. That is like water sport pornography.

Sadly, I think misery will be a new normal. We will forever be even more subject to arbitrary aquatics directors/leaders opinions on safety. The three lanes at LA fitness, I have just been informed will a need space lane and only one per lane...essentially 2 people in the entire pool at any given time. I used to sometimes have to make people share...now people will have an excuse to be a selfish a-hole--covid prevention! I suspect that those that live out east will need a new hobby. Every time I put my belt and shoes back on and am submitted to a thorough pat down in the airport, I lament the way things used to be and so it will be with this.

In our gym, it seems that a blanket rule has to be made, b/c lifeguards are young, intimidated by enforcing rules, and don't last long. They can't handle "exceptions." I worked in State government and am used to a division wide mandate for all b/c of a few slackers. In our gym, there are only 2 guards to watch the therapy pool, hot tub and lap pool. I can't wait to see how they keep track of each swimmer's time slot. I'm sure that's the issue. They had to put a blanket rule of, "one hour," because some people may float around, dog paddle, or whatever, and they don't want them in lanes, possibly 2-3 lanes in a row and congregating. It is silly, but I'm probably the only one who even swims more than an hour. Most people yesterday and today swam 20-30 minutes (if they hadn't swum in 2 months it will take time to build back up). So today I did it. I did an hour at the first pool, got out. I was the only one in the 8-lane pool, so the whole thing was empty when I got out. Then I drove over to the other (SCM) pool. One of the lifeguards recognized me and asked if I just came from the other pool, but the rule allows it (he laughed and evidently told all the lifeguards there). There were 3 of us in pool #2 while I swam (the other 2 were a married couple and they finished about 10 min before i did). I swam about 50 min at that pool When I got out and was leaving a lifeguard asked if I was going back to pool #1. I laughed and told him I had to work, but maybe on a weekend ;)

A small ray of sunshine: The CDC today issued a statement about pools and water sports having a zero chance of infection, provided the chlorine is kept up to date. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail about opening pools again.

OK. If there are people waiting, I can understand ... but if there's an empty lane, what's the harm? In our gym, it seems that a blanket rule has to be made, b/c lifeguards are young, intimidated by enforcing rules, and don't last long. They can't handle "exceptions." I worked in State government and am used to a division wide mandate for all b/c of a few slackers. In our gym, there are only 2 guards to watch the therapy pool, hot tub and lap pool. I can't wait to see how they keep track of each swimmer's time slot.

Austin TX now has 3 masters programs back in action that I know about. 2 per lane, opposite ends of the pool, enter/exit through separate doors, no facility access, come suited up and ready to go. Started back last week and my 4th swim today.....it's hell being old and out of shape, but at least I have started the long climb to get back. I had knee replacement surgery in early Jan so I have been out of the water for 4 1/2 months. Glad our city is opening up and doing it right! Every swim people have been great and following all the guidelines set by the pool owners/managers Ouch, Jim, how long did it take you to feeling close to normal after surgery? I need a total knee replacement, and since the gym's been closed, I am limited to indoor bike and walking, which is killer on my bad knee. I'm putting off the replacement, b/c I fear the rehab portion.

Ouch, Jim, how long did it take you to feeling close to normal after surgery? I need a total knee replacement, and since the gym's been closed, I am limited to indoor bike and walking, which is killer on my bad knee. I'm putting off the replacement, b/c I fear the rehab portion. I won't lie...it is Hard! The first 2 weeks after surgery are very tough, you are icing a lot and trying to get off the pain meds. I stopped taking the pain meds and switched to Tylenol around day 8 and that was too soon. I had to take a few here and there as the nights were the toughest as I am a side sleeper and you pretty much have to sleep on your back for 3-4 weeks. I ended up asking the Dr for ambien to help me sleep. 2-4 weeks still rough and you are doing PT 3X a week and still icing. I used a walker for 2 weeks and then was able to walk some...but you are still sitting a lot and trying to keep the swelling down. 2nd month for me was tough as I probably tried to do too much too quickly and ended up having more swelling and they had to give me a Steroid to help reduce the swelling. at 10 weeks I started to feel better and actually got in the pool and was swimming for 20-30 minutes (open turns and good leg push off the wall) and doing some aqua therapy which really helped. Then the shut down stopped that along with going to my PT...so I did my PT by myself and also started walking a lot...building up to 50 minutes. I am 18 weeks post op now and I think around week 14 I started to not have any pain. around week 8 I could sleep on my side and that helped getting more rest and sleep at night. It has been a hard road and I am still doing PT, swimming now 3000 with easy flip turns and mostly free with a little backstroke, but no kicking with a board yet or fly or ***. The hardest thing for me was I way underestimated the rehab and how hard it would be plus being retired I had nothing to focus on but my knee and rehab. I think if I had a job it would take your mind off it some! I am glad I did it now and I hope to get full range of motion back around month 9-10. Also everyone is different and heals differently. you cannot judge your progress against anyone else's ....you just have to listen to your body as it heals. At 63 I do not heal like I was in my twenties so it is a longer process! hope that helps and gives at least insight into my recovery and rehab

A small ray of sunshine: The CDC today issued a statement about pools and water sports having a zero chance of infection, provided the chlorine is kept up to date. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail about opening pools again. Link? This would be immensely helpful to a lot of people. I serached, but can't find anything released in the past month or so.

Link? This would be immensely helpful to a lot of people. I serached, but can't find anything released in the past month or so. Reported on radio this afternoon.