So since at least two people on this board are interested in my adventures in joining my University's team I thought I'd create a thread (much like ande's swimming blog) to detail all of it. Yeah.
Since the season doesn't actually start regular practice for another week and a half, this is mainly an intro post - and I'll update it with what happens when I go meet the other girls on the team and such! Stay tuned! It'll be better than any general hospital or passions!
Today I actually swam for the first time (since my freshman swim test last year) in the University pool. It was huge. And cold. Over the summer I got used to swimming in health club pools with water hovering around 80-85. Not exactly the most comfortable water at times, but at least nice and warm. The Ratner pool here is...freezing by those standards. I'm guessing the water temp is 75 at the warmest. Gives new meaning to the term "warm up".
I was really nervous when I first got in - the girls and guys returning members were having informal practices and I was sort of afraid they'd notice me. Although, I don't think they did. Or maybe they did and I just didn't hear what they said about me. Haha.
I also swam a 600 for the first time in a long time. I mostly stuck to 400s and below in my summer workouts (yeah, I know, I'm a little bit of a wimp). Unfortunately, that couldn't last. The coach suggested when I met her that I get in the water and swim 6-800 straight every day this week as part of my workout. It kind of hurt. Actually, it was one of the odder experiences of my life. For the first 200 or so my chest was tight from my asthma and I was freaking out about the distance (I was also really cold). Then all of a sudden I started to get really into it and just kept on going. I probably could have done 1000 if I wanted to.
The workout was cut short - only about 2300yds - because I promised my friends I'd come home and cook dinner for them tonight. And that's where I leave it tonight.
Background: For those who didn't see my posts on the board throughout the year, I'm a soph. in college who has been going through the prepartion to join my school's team. I attend the University of Chicago (a div 3 school) and was a competitive swimmer for seven years before high school. Burnout put me out of the water for almost 5 years, however, and I'm only recently getting back into it.
Former Member
So today was the first day of classes for the quarter...YEY! I had german and a poli sci class today. They both went well.
There was a little crazyness because I had to rush back to my dorm (which happens to be off campus, oddly enough) to grab my swim gear and then rush back to make it into my afternoon class on time. Fortunately, I managed to do it.
We had a swimming meeting today in the afternoon. Because NCAA regulations make our season 19 weeks long we can't officially start practice until next week. So it was basically just administrative stuff today.
I got my medical clearance through the training office...I'm actually an athlete now! Well, I suppose I won't be able to say that for sure until I'm issued my varsity locker and team equipment (around next week or the week after). But at least I'm on track.
I had originally planned to swim today after practice. Buuut I'm still sick (this time I'm just coughing up crap instead of having stomach issues) and the pool was also set up for LCY (long course yards anyone? how odd...).
In the end I decided that chest cold + my asthma + LCY pool + cold water = not a good idea. I was lucky because all the other girls were lazy today and didn't get in the water either. So I didn't really miss out.
I'm going to try to swim on my own tomorrow, and then we have an unofficial (as in not coached) team practice on Wednesday. Apparently we might play water polo? I really hope so! I also hope I'm healthy by then!
Things seem like they're finally clicking. When entering the meeting things were still a little weird between the new swimmers and the returning ones...but by the time the few of us that had to go through medical clearance got out and left the gym together, we were a lot more friendly. I think it'll only get better as time goes on - at least I hope.
Oh yeah, anyone here a backstroker? Apparently backstroking is my new destiny. The team is short on them and it's what I used to do when I was younger..so if I can get my stroke back I'll be swimming that!
Former Member
Well, third day in the academic quarter and first day of informal practice.
Today after class the swimmers met again for a little bit of "ice breaking" games and then a quick swim. Unfortunately, the guys were in the pool and took up like....the entire thing. We had 2 lanes for about twenty girls.
Even though it's long course setup, 10 people per lane is still a lot.
We did a pretty "easy" workout today (since practice was informal):
500 choice warmup
200 (50 free, 50 stroke, 50 free, 50 stroke)
3 x 4 50s (kick, drill, kick, swim)
Warmdown
I'm still really sick, though, so today was kind of painful. I was passed a lot in my lane - I couldn't seem to go faster than warmup pace....it was just not good. Between sets I was hacking up stuff from my lungs I didn't even know was there in the first place. I also ran into the lane lines/wall while doing back a few times...guess my sense of direction isn't quite what it used to be.
To make things worse, there was supposed to be 15 seconds rest between each 50...but noone was taking the rest! We all just kept going and going....and then I had to sit out for a round of 50s because I couldn't breathe.
I got back to my dorm and basically collapsed for an hour and a half...since then I've been really queasy feeling.
I've barely eaten all today...just have no appetite. I know that my lack of food and cold is probably what made me slow today, but all the same I've been kind of beating myself up about getting passed so much. I hope I'm up for all this.
Former Member
hmlee,
Thanks for posting this. I am getting loads of entertainment from it.
I don't know if your team is anything like mine was in college, but the weirdness should go away once the returning swimmers figure out where the new ones rank. ie: who will be their competition for their slot on the team etc. Don’t let it get to you.
I was a backstroker and am trying to remember my form. Maybe we can commiserate or swap tips.
Good luck, enjoy, and keep us posted.
Kelsee
aka Rowdy
Originally posted by 330man
Glad to hear you are feeling better.
I picked up a cold last night which is putting a damper on my wedding anniversary plans for tomorrow night and will also most likely postpone my training plan to swim the 200 Free. Getting sick is just part of having kids I guess.
Ok so how many years?
Originally posted by 330man
Glad to hear you are feeling better.
I picked up a cold last night which is putting a damper on my wedding anniversary plans for tomorrow night and will also most likely postpone my training plan to swim the 200 Free. Getting sick is just part of having kids I guess.
Ok so how many years?
I really wonder if you should get this checked out. If it goes that deep in the lungs and you have a lack of energy, that just does not sound good. Does the college have a clinic that students can just drop by and have a nurse listen to your lungs?
I have struggled through pneumonia twice as a swimmer, and what you have does not sound good to me.
Former Member
Hmlee,
Even a 5%reduction in airflow can make a huge difference when you are swimming hard. I have exercise induced asthma also and I track my severity with a flow meter. Once you get down about 15 - 20 % you can tell by wheezing and having trouble. Up to that point you are just wondering what is wrong today. Colds and allergies make it alot worse. Point is: Even mild exercise induced asthma is a big deal for a swimmer - make sure you have enough of the right medicine. Good Luck
My daughter is also a college swimmer with EIA. When she is training hard she has a much harder time. The doctor thinks that the chlorine and hard work combine to be very irritating to her lungs.
Former Member
Yeah, my EIA is usually well controlled with my inhaler...I do have some trouble during the longer or faster sets, but mostly I'm okay.
When I have a cold though...it just seems to be so much more of an issue. I'm extremely fatigued in the water and can't really push myself - if I do I get light headed, dizzy, and seriously short of breath. I just hope I'm healthy by the time the real practices start...
Former Member
How long have you been sick now? If I felt sick for longer than a week or so I would be inclined to see an MD about it. Who knows, you might be dealing with mononucleosis.
Former Member
It'll be exactly a week today that I've had this head cold. Fortunately, I think it's starting to turn around...I've been feeling a lot better today than I have in the past few days.
Who knows, maybe the chlorine flushed out my sinuses!
