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

Sorry. Have no help for you with the goggles. I'm a permanent raccoon. For cross training I've done everything from Jogging/ Running Weight lifting Pilates w/ flexibility routines built in Core body exercises w/ stretch cords Yoga Biking Triathlon Roller Blading Ice Skating Water Skiing Swimming - including open water swims My fave combo for this year is swimming and weight lifting (stretch cords too) with flexibility training. Perfect! Weight lifting is better than running for me as lifting increases my metabolism so much that I'm thinner than when I run. And I'm more powerful in the water. Who knows what next year will bring. Best of luck to you!! Sounds like you do lots of stuff!! Variety is the spice of life!

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). Usually a Run and hurdle proceeds the lifting...except in winter when a x-country ski replaces the run.

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.

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. I was totally knackered...and that was 5 hours later. I wasn't smug...stunned and happy yes. I wish you could have been there too...in a strictly "how bout them Bears?" platonic way...

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: I believe those theme park turkey legs are called "Alien Legs" at Walt Disney World. Yummy!

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.

I got a pair of AirGasket XD's from Speedo. They work well. Just make sure you "burp" them in good before you dive. Otherwise they fill with water and you can't see. I found they don't feel like they're hurting my eyes though. Also they seal well enough just resting on your eyes if you are only training and not diving etc.

Cross training, well I try to swim every day. Every other day I run 3 miles on the treadmill, and the other days I do not do the treadmill I lift and also do core work. Hmm, is work a form of cross training? I hack on computers all day so maybe that helps when I jam my fingers on the touchpad in the pool :-) greg

BabsVA: You sound like should be doing aquathlons. I like those! I am a former youth swimmer, turned nutty runner, turned injured runner, turned masters swimmer. But, having recovered from my running stress fractures, I still run. I am trying to stem that addiction somewhat and limit myself to 3 miles runs like Greg instead of 6 mile runs while focusing on swimming. (I don't think running does much for swimming. I just like it.) I lift weights too. No tris -- don't like bikes. I'd do Pilates more, but mat pilates is kinda easy and those pilates machine classes cost the earth where I live. And there is only so much time ... That would probably be my cross-training of choice, if I could magic up more time. Goggles: The Vanquishers are good. The Speedo GCGs are comfy because they have foam and they work. Don't last forever though. Because I have goggle issues in the past, I only use speed sockets at practice and meets. (Keep your practice and meet goggles separate to avoid unexpected wear at a meet!) They don't leak, but I have major racoon eyes.

Cross Training: Try Pilates or Yoga. The hard thing about these two pursuits is that you need good instruction- I'd never rely on a DVD. If good instruction isn't available, other core strengthening like ball exercises, etc. As far as aerobics, I think its whatever flips your switch. If you live in Minnesota, you can cross-country ski which is great aerobics and recruits the core. But nothing really specifically complements swimming. Variety is definitely the spice, though, so I wouldn't refrain from whatever you love to do.