Things to like about swimming

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:19:53 GMT

Rachel Yes I have come to the dark side LOL. Yesterday I so wanted to swim and the pool was closed for Thanksgiving. That is when I knew I was into it. Also I have to drive backwards to get to the pool. So it is quite out of my way. BUT I figured I could no longer use that as an excuse. It is just my time and a few extra kilometres on the van. I figure if I get fit , lose some weight and have met some new friends it is all worth it. I bought a new bathing suit. It is a plain speedo but it was on a huge sale. I also bought a new one on the internet from http://www.eqswimwear.com/ Alison aka swimshark told me about this company. You buy the grab bag and you dont know what colour suit you will get. I should have my first one in the mail at home this week. They do have a big sale on right now to. I so wish the pool I swim at was prettier. LOL LOL I guess I should not complain. IT is a nice pool. Katie

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:54:58 GMT

UMMMMMMMMMM I am not there yet LOL I don't think I am there either! It must have been my spanky new Tyr suit. :D Kudos for you Katie for coming back to "the dark side"! And I have to agree on the skylight thing. My pool is half under a ceiling and half under a dome window, so it's even more motivation to get to the pretty side of the pool each lap!

RE: Things to like about swimming

rtodd — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:26:03 GMT

The pool is empty and the water is flat. Completely different experinece than when the pool is full and full of chop. Flat calm water amplifies the senses and gives full feedback and a sense of speed. You can "cheat" on the recovery by keeping hands close to the water. This is one of the things I like about swimming. I don't get this too much. My pool is not an overflow design and does not have lane ropes and is rarely empty.

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:08:47 GMT

Rachel I bet that made you feel great. Nothing like having someone else think you are a good swimmer. UMMMMMMMMMM I am not there yet LOL Allen I would love a skylight. Especially in the winter when the snow and moonlight would be coming through. Drats. You are lucky Katie

RE: Things to like about swimming

Allen Stark — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 09:57:31 GMT

One of the pools I swim at has skylights.When the sun is right you get a great shadow view if your stroke. When the sun is at a lower angle it makes amazing patterns on the wall.

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:05:21 GMT

That is really cool. I tell people I love to swim because it is never what you expect. The experieince is so different between the participant and the spectator or person watching you swim. Swimming demostrates that what is real is truly the individuals perseption. Today was yet another unexpected pleasure! I am a moderate speed distance swimmer - very used to sprinters in the next lane dusting the pool with me in terms of their pace. Today I had a tough but rewarding 1.1 mile swim after taking a break for a few weeks after my last open water event. The woman in the lane next to me was apparently part fish - quite amazing to watch swim. She was really quick. When I got out of the pool, she asked me "Do you know how many laps in this pool is a mile?" When I told her, she said, "Thanks! You looked like you would know." Couldn't help but smile after that one! :p

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 07:48:59 GMT

Oh - and I've tried massage, meditation, tylenol/ advil, chiropracty, and taking vitamin supplements. Swimming alleviates my symptoms most. :cheerleader: Look into the NTI (www.nti-tss.com). It's still relatively new and your dentist may not make them, but the site has a directory of dentists who do.

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 07:30:09 GMT

That reminds of on of my very favorite things to do. I love when you are in your backstroke streamline and you're gliding along a few inches under the surface and it looks like your looking up through glass. I love that!! ~Kyra That is really cool. I tell people I love to swim because it is never what you expect. The experieince is so different between the participant and the spectator or person watching you swim. Swimming demostrates that what is real is truly the individuals perseption.

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:14:15 GMT

WOW that is so interesting. So I guess you will keep swimming. I have only ever had two migraines and I really thought I was going to die. I feel for people who get them alot. I have really bad knees. The swimming sometimes hurts while I am doing it but not later. I know that I am strengthening the muscles around them so that is wonderful. I know once I drop some of the weight that will help to Katie

RE: Things to like about swimming

poolraat — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:17:54 GMT

I used to get very bad migraines when in my 20's and 30's. I wish I had been a swimmer then because I really suffered. I get them ocassionally, still and (S)he-Man, you're right on about swimming being a fix. Something about the water just makes it diminish to where it's either totally gone or tolerable.

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:32:31 GMT

Oh - and I've tried massage, meditation, tylenol/ advil, chiropracty, and taking vitamin supplements. Swimming alleviates my symptoms most. :cheerleader:

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:30:12 GMT

Really. Why? As my friend who is a neurologist on our masters team said (she gets migraines too!), "It's the extra endorphins." For me, migraines are a terrible ordeal and I get them every month or so. There's fatigue, terrible headaches, crushing neck pain and sometimes nausea. Getting in for a workout (albeit swum at a moderately intense level - not my usual insane intensity level), 9 times out of 10 makes me feel so much better. Less of all the above symptoms. Go figure. Guess I'm lucky in that sense.

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:35:45 GMT

(S)he-man, I totally agree with you. Before I started swimming on a regular basis a couple years ago I would get a migraine at least 2-3 times a month. Now I may go 2-3 months without one. Still get a nagging headache on occasion...mainly when dealing with my daughter, but not that often. I love swimming....

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:21:26 GMT

It's the best RX out there for my migraines! Really. Why?

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:15:16 GMT

It's the best RX out there for my migraines!

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:11:16 GMT

Feeling stronger in the water and knowing my times are dropping. And knowing that after a few thousand yards, I can order the 32oz Prime Rib from Sam Seltzer's and not care!:banana:

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:54:15 GMT

I love the feeling of being in open water. Particularly when I'm not just swimming a parallel shore swim, but crossing a harbor. There's that moment I always try to take when I look up somewhere in the middle of my swim, knowing how deep the ocean floor is beneath me, and remembering what a tiny :fish2: I am in the big world! ...der dum...der-dum der-dum...dum dum dum dum dum etc. "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:44:10 GMT

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:38:56 GMT

Going to the pool at 5:30 a.m. on a dark January morning when it's -35 C/-24 F outside Egad! That is cold. In fact so cold, I can't comprehend it. Here in Southern Taiwan the coldest I remember was 15 degrees Celcius in December 1999. It only lasted for a day. A cold front. It had everyone running for their winter woollies. Most winter (if you can call it that) days here are a sultry 25, 26 degrees C. You can swim outdoors the entire year round if you wish. The sea is always like bathwater. -35 degrees C....doesn't human blood freeze at that temperature? That sounds like the Arctic. There is no way I could survive in those temperatures. You must have the skin of an elephant seal.:D Syd

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:50:41 GMT

Going to the pool at 5:30 a.m. on a dark January morning when it's -35 C/-24 F outside - being in the water is like taking a 45 minute tropical vacation, except without the sand flies. Being able to go for long swims in the sea when I really do get to be on a Caribean vacation, seeing the little fish darting underneath me, sprinting frantically for shore when a mysterious something keeps bumping into my legs...:bolt:

RE: Things to like about swimming

ViveBene — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:33:17 GMT

Stats: "Things to Like About Swimming" Quick look (some responses I inferred from language): Good feeling being in H2O 14 responses Feel better physically 9 Aesthetics 8 External feedback (impress others, make new friends) 7 Chlorine smell/taste 6 Weight control/PT/ phys. improvement 5 Can eat more 3 Feel sharper mentally 3 Relief/escape others 3 Other swimmers' bods 1 Regards, VB

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:50:56 GMT

IT gets pretty cold here to . We live in Ontario Canada. I love it when you hair is slightly wet and your hair freezes. Though I have not swam 4 times a week in years like I am now so it will be interesting. Swimming is just all round wonderful. Though I cannot wait to have the toning slimmer body. I am kind of impatient. LOL Katie

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:39:08 GMT

-35 degrees C....doesn't human blood freeze at that temperature? That sounds like the Arctic. There is no way I could survive in those temperatures. You must have the skin of an elephant seal.:D It's an indoor pool, of course. There would be virtually no swimming here if we had to rely on outdoor pools.

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:44:49 GMT

I only started swimming again on September 7th LOL, so I dont have years or even months of benefits from swimming yet. Yes I marked the date in the calendar. What I like about swimming is....... I feel empowered. Like I am doing something so amazing. It is really a lovely feeling. I am hoping that I to can lose some weight ( like many of you have) become toned and powerful. In the beginning the morning workouts were tough ( getting up) now I look forward to them. I feel wonderful when I am done. To think I have accomplished more exercise than most by 7 am is pretty cool. It just makes me feel strong and vibrant :groovy:and I guess that is what really matters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Katie

RE: Things to like about swimming

Former Member — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:24:15 GMT

I love the way I feel after my morning workout. Finding it hard to get out of bed in the mornings, I know that my day will be much better after pounding out 4000 yds. I love that in 7 months I was able to lose 30 lbs without changing my diet and have been able to keep it off. I love the smell of chlorine. I love the 1st outdoor LCM swim of the summer after being couped up indoors all winter. I love all the friends that I have made in the past 2 years of swimming masters. They are the greatest people I know. I love that I can swim for the rest of my life and I look forward to all the people that I will get to meet over the next 50 yrs.