Anyone have any opinions/anything to say on this topic... what are your views?
Former Member
One other way to stretch your ankles is to kneel and sit on your heels with your toes pointed back. (Some find this to be too uncomfortable on their knees, so be careful!!) People with poor ankle flexibility will find this difficult. People with good ankle flexibility will be able to rock back and some can even touch the floor with their backs. You can also have a friend press down on the ends of your feet (while sitting on the floor and legs extended). Eventually, you should be able to point your toes without effort. Remember, developing flexibility takes time...don't over do it at first!
I highly recommend sports massage as a way to loosen up tight muscles and generally cure soft tissue ailments. This, of course, in addition to a regular (daily, or in conjunction with every workout) stretching routine. (Stretch after the workout, not before!)
I think the type of swim workout you do will have a great bearing on weight loss. If you swim low level aerobic continuous laps, you will probably not burn as many calories in an hour of swimming than if you were doing heart pounding intervals! I think interval training also elevates one's overall metabolism more so than continuous swimming.
I used to think swimming was kind of boring because I was a lap swimmer. I always loved moving through water with its magical feeling of dream-like flight, but my workouts were tedious! Since joining Masters, swimming is fascinating! No two workouts are ever the same!
I was once told that quinine helps alleviate charley horses- perhaps drinking some tonic water during the day will help with swimming related calf cramps... worse comes to worst, you'd at least be keeping hydrated...
Originally posted by exrunner
If Shaky thinks the sight of a grown man running is undignified, he should have seen me the first time I tried to swim a lap.
The difference is that with a little practice, most people can achieve some measure of grace in the water. Running is always undignified. No matter how smooth you are on your feet, something will always jiggle and bounce.
And let's not even talk about bleeding nipples.
Humans' bodies were made for walking long distances or running short distances to get away from something like a lion or wife. We weren't made to run long distances. If we were, we would be more streamlined, like other animals who run, so that the force of the movement of our bodies wouldn't be so heavily concentrated on our joints. When one is fleeing something horrible, dignity doesn't matter; but why be undignified when it's not necessary?
While we weren't necessarily adapted for swimming, either, the luck of evolution left us fairly streamlined in the water so that we can at least move through the water without other animals laughing at us. Except maybe sharks. But I think they're laughing because they can eat us, not because we look silly.
I'm not a big fan of running. But it's a good workout. Just throw on a pair of running shoes, and you're set.
My current goal is to do cardio three times a week, while maintaing upper body shape and size. So here's what I'm doing:
Workout 1---- Cardio 25--30 mins This is usually jogging
Workout 2---- Swim 2,000 yards
Workout 3---- Cardio 20 mins Weights 45 mins
Oh, I run...
I just grumble gripe hiss spit and complain while I'm doing it.
(I have relatively big leg muscles and weak cardio)
I don't hate it as much when my cardio is in a much better shape.
Actually, I much prefer rollerblading, even when it kills my cardio.
My 'lifetime' achievement with running is to run three 10-minute miles.
This is about 7 years ago when I was in the best shape of my life, and used to speedskate (rollerblade speedskating) 30-40 miles a day.
Right now, 10 minutes of running on a threadmill, and I'm gasping for air. But... *sigh* I keep doing it... how else is my cardio gonna get better.
I think I'd much rather sprint 50x50 freestyle (lactic acid in shoulders permitting), but shoulders need a break.
then again...
I HATE running :eek: :rolleyes: :p
Since there seem to be some runners out there (except for Connie:p ), and (as Kim knows) runnning is my weakest link in triathloning, I wonder if anyone knows of a forum similar to this wonderful one for running? I need all the help I can get with putting one foot in front of the other.
Thanks, Nancy
