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

My Crosstraining: Lifting before swim practice m/w/thu (if i feel like it and/or have time). Hockey Practice sunday; go skating at least once during the week. Basketball tuesdays. flag football spring and fall. softball spring and summer. occasional 15+ mi bikerides spring thru fall. possible 1-3 triathlons each spring thru fall. usually just 1. a little wacked out, but I am 26, pretty competitive and like to do random stuff just to have fun too. :banana: I use sweedes, except for the Nike Socket Rockets I have from 1999 that I have for when the metallized sweedes act up for outdoor nationals'.

I think the Speedo Vanquishers are the best goggles I've used. They don't leak, they're comfortable, and they last a long time. The silicone gasket won't pack out like goggles with foam do after a few months. Some people swear by Swedes. If they work well for you, go for it. I personally never liked them.

Hi Babs, If you are new to swimming, it is normal that you want a comfortable goggle. In fact there is not one, but you get used to it. The marks around your eyes will disappear within a couple of minutes, not a big deal. The models in Europe is different than the US, but I recommend you to try as much as possible (from your pool friends). I like running, love swimming. You do not need to do any running to be fit in swimming. Just look at our idol's blogs (Ande the great). He just swims and do some weight lifting. You might also try parkour. If you can do it, you are fit enough to do any sports.

I have no set schedule, but basically I do 3-4 times a week swiming, up to 3 days of weight training, and I do step aerobics, kick boxing and cardio for other cardio. I usually fit 2 hours of exercise in a day for 5-6 days a week, doing it in a split, an hour at 5am, an hour after work. I always, always, always take at least one rest day a week, sometimes two.

In addition to swimming 2500-3000 yards per day, 6 days per week, I run and lift. ....run to the fridge for snacks during commercial breaks, and on Friday's I hoist 12 oz weights at a nearby watering hole.:joker:

Floyd I have found it better for my lower back if I lift while submerged in a warm therapy pool (See Avatar) I was looking at your avatar earlier thinking you look pretty smug. But you need a Havana in the other hand to complete the look.

Personally, my cross-training is limited. What little I do is confined to either the weight room or the result of other activities (hunting, fishing, etc. - a lot of walking). As far as goggles go, the best thing to do is try several brands and models at a sporting goods store. If they adhere to your eye sockets (even for a short time) without using the strap, then they are worth a try. The last time I changed brands I tried about 20 different pairs before I found the right ones. For me, its the View Sniper by TUSA.

I am less experienced than a lot of people here, but wanted to bump up your thread hoping others more experienced will respond. Cross training I swim the same number of days per week, although with the craziness of my schedule, most of my swimming is on weekends: back to back masters' practices on Sat. and Sun., as well as an uncoached swim Wed. evening. The Sat. practice is an hour long and on alternating weekends, I add more before/after. Sun. practice is two hours and usually there's no time before/after to add more. Sometimes, though I can add a few mins. before the practice starts. Wed. is about 45 mins. to an hour uncoached. On that day, I keep it fairly simple, adding drills here and there if the lane traffic allows. Since I'm also a runner, the running remains important to me and takes up the other days, as well as some of the swimming days. (On alternating weekends when I'm not swimming long, I run long--this varies depending on what race I'm training for--currently a half marathon, so I'm gradually increasing my distance to 2-2.5 hours run.) I should but usually don't do weight work. How do you like the Pilates. Thinking of taking a class eventually but the days classes are offered at my Y often are days something else is going on or I'm working. Bottom line is that I think it's a matter of your goals and priorities. I started masters' swimming mainly out of curiosity and looking for some good quality cross training for running. Then the swim coach talked me into an ocean swim. Lately I'm aiming for a swim of five and a quarter miles in August. This might be a pipe dream, but it's one that keeps me motivated to increase my distance and work on my stroke. Yet also want to keep setting running goals. Later in the year, November, aiming for a marathon run. I figure the swimming has already given me some great endurance and strength. My running workouts are better quality now, and I think it's b/c of the swimming. *** Goggles Hah! I've decided the "raccoon look" is pretty inevitable. Had a great pair of Barracuda goggles that did a nice job keeping water out and were reasonably comfortable, but lost them during an open water swim... if you're ever swimming in Wildwood's sunset lake and you find them, they're yours! :D Now I'm using a cheapie pair of tinted Speedo goggles that work reasonably well--one of those "need goggles yesterday if not sooner" purchases, so no time to shop. Eventually, I'll try to find another pair of the Barracuda.

I find running to be a great addition to swimming. Don't do too much though because it will cause you to develop too much muscle in your legs and it will make it harder to keep them afloat. You may also develop quads large enough that will make cannibals eye your upper legs the same way I eyeball those giant theme-park turkey legs. :banana:

Hey thanks everyone. Parkours!! Heh! Actually, the sport for me would be Pentathlon - since I ride horses (except I would have to learn to shoot a rifle). :laugh2: Oh, and fencing. Heck, how hard can that be :laugh2: