I think swimming is consuming my life and I've been doing it for less than 3 weeks
Former Member
At first, I was on vacation and I saw my girlfriend swim a few laps and thought, "Gosh, I should really take some lessons and learn how to do that."
Then it was, "I should really do some online research to complement my lessons."
Then, "I might as well start participating in some of these swimming forums."
Then I needed more time to practice, so I started going to rec swims. I'm now getting a SECOND instructor for a different perspective in addition to my on-my-own rec swim time.
And all the time I'm not in the pool, I'm watching videos, reading forums and articles, learning about top swimmers, going out to buy goggles (tonight), and generally wanting to get back in the water and practice...
All this and I can barely frakken swim a length in anything other than backstroke! Jesus. I'm taking "addictive personality" to new levels here. What on earth did I do with my life before three weeks ago?
And what implications does this have for the rest of my life? The first 23 years on dry-land are looking more and more like a write-off in comparison to the satisfaction I get from being in the water -- when it isn't in my nose, ears, mouth, and eyes, that is.
I spent a lot of time on dry land practicing my dancing and these days, I teach it. Because my dancing is automatic -- I "just do it" without thinking -- I can't really remember what it was like NOT to be able to do it.
In the same sense, I've had a lot of people say to me, "You're just learning to swim now? I can't imagine what it would be like NOT to be able to swim." I think I can relate.
Leonard:
Are you a runner and encyclopedia in addition to being a gourmet chef? This was most impressive. Still sounds like those undewater SDKs are helping my 50s though based on your last paragraph.
It is spelled "Reindell," BTW. They got an assist on this from Bannister's sometime British coach, Stampfl. I think actually Bannister may have used some interval training to help break the 4:00 mile barrier, and then Zatopek subsequently did intervals in large volumes at different intensities? At least that's what I recall offhand from reading The Lore of Running awhile ago.
Leonard:
Are you a runner and encyclopedia in addition to being a gourmet chef? This was most impressive. Still sounds like those undewater SDKs are helping my 50s though based on your last paragraph.
It is spelled "Reindell," BTW. They got an assist on this from Bannister's sometime British coach, Stampfl. I think actually Bannister may have used some interval training to help break the 4:00 mile barrier, and then Zatopek subsequently did intervals in large volumes at different intensities? At least that's what I recall offhand from reading The Lore of Running awhile ago.