Some beginner questions: What kind of cross-training do you do? 2. How to find goggle

Thanks for your replies, FMIF and waves101. I also started masters out of curiosity and a need for variety and perhaps dare I mention ... a future T ...T ... T... no no I can't say the word but it is an athletic event that involves three phases, one after another ... generally for people about twenty years younger than I ... Anyway, and yes my coach is terrifying me by suggesting I swim at a meet. It is nice to have goals! But I am still one foot in front of the other, trying to get across the pool and back and remain alive. Pilates - love it. After three years, I am well acquainted with my obliques, rectus abdominus, etc. It is concentrated work that has helped my body awareness which is important since I am one of those super-flexible people who can easily hyperextend pretty much any joint and ultimately tend to injury if I am not very 'intentional' with how I move. Try it. A very enjoyable aspect is observing others in the class and seeing how their posture and movement improves (I say observe others since it is harder to notice these things about ourselves). In a lot of ways Pilates led me to swimming since they are both so concerned with core strength. If you do decide to try Pilates, my suggestion is to find a very good, observant and thorough teacher - do not attempt it by watching a video until you are quite adept at all the poses. And it does seem goggles are consumables like bathing suits - after a couple months in the chlorine, they are shot. Thanks for telling me about your impressive athletic goals, they encourage me, and keep me posted on how it goes.

Thanks for your replies, FMIF and waves101. I also started masters out of curiosity and a need for variety and perhaps dare I mention ... a future T ...T ... T... no no I can't say the word but it is an athletic event that involves three phases, one after another ... generally for people about twenty years younger than I ... Anyway, and yes my coach is terrifying me by suggesting I swim at a meet. It is nice to have goals! But I am still one foot in front of the other, trying to get across the pool and back and remain alive. Pilates - love it. After three years, I am well acquainted with my obliques, rectus abdominus, etc. It is concentrated work that has helped my body awareness which is important since I am one of those super-flexible people who can easily hyperextend pretty much any joint and ultimately tend to injury if I am not very 'intentional' with how I move. Try it. A very enjoyable aspect is observing others in the class and seeing how their posture and movement improves (I say observe others since it is harder to notice these things about ourselves). In a lot of ways Pilates led me to swimming since they are both so concerned with core strength. If you do decide to try Pilates, my suggestion is to find a very good, observant and thorough teacher - do not attempt it by watching a video until you are quite adept at all the poses. And it does seem goggles are consumables like bathing suits - after a couple months in the chlorine, they are shot. Thanks for telling me about your impressive athletic goals, they encourage me, and keep me posted on how it goes.