I thought I'd try an experiment here. I propose that anyone of any swimming level can use this thread (or not) when, whether in a small way or earthshaking manner you've done something in the pool that you're proud and/or pleased by. Anyone is welcome to add encouraging comments (or not) or ask for more info., but please no grandstanding or feuding.
Okay- I'll go first (and I'm just as hesitant as anyone else). Context: last few months hellish: collapse of my dream business, death in family, huge money troubles etc. result months out of water & exercise & 30lb gain. Further, I just went back over the last 10 yrs, averaged 1 meet a year, no more than 4 months training in any one year. So- been back in water 4 weeks, 2-3 times a week and mostly feeling like chopped liver. Monday night coach say we're going to do dive 25's (meters) from blocks, starter's instructions. Now I haven't done this in years 'cause I have a very bad neck- but I've been frustrated so...did all 3 breastroke 16.3, 15.5, 16.2 which tells me I've still got prospects to go fast again! I am pleased.
I need to book into the "Allen Stark 200 Breaststroke" clinic so I can get my splits nice and steady like that!
Great Swim Allen!:applaud:
Learn to count to 8 first. :thhbbb:
About once a month or so I swim a timed 1000 yards at practice to see if I'm getting stronger and/or faster.
Yesterday, my 1000 yard swim was 1 min 10 secs faster then my last swim on April 7th! Since starting back swimming about 1 1/2 years ago, my 1000 yards swim has improved by nearly 3 mins.
Way to got Susan!
I would like to tattle on Muppet, who is now known as Blackbeard's Peg. He won his age division in the Reston 2 mile lake swim last weekend and finished very high overall! He is now ready for the upcoming Bay Bridge swim! :applaud:
Today I conquered my fear of diving.
It's been the number one anxiety producer whenever I thought about trying out a meet. So I made up my mind to get over it. It was a perfect day to work on this, as there were only 2 other people in the entire outdoor pool (cloudy,rainy and cool). I started from the poolside in the diving well and then dove off blocks for the first time. All in all, I did around 50 dives.
At the end, most were serviceable enough to get me off of the blocks at the start of the race, and best yet, I'm no longer scared on going in head first.
Congrats, that's great! I still have some fears about diving. I do meets anyway b/c you can start in the water, but I think how cool it would be to just get on that block and dive from there. Looks as if the repetition helps wear down the resistance/fear. Way to go!
I'll post one also... this one's from this past Sat. when I got a distance PR. I'm training for a 5+ mile race, and so I've been increasing my distance, and did a swim of 7450 yards (or 4 1/8 miles). I used to wonder how I'd get to 3000 yards--that seemed like forever.... Every time I extend my distance, I feel I'm entering a new place in myself....
My race is on August 3, and all good wishes are welcome! :wiggle:
Today I conquered my fear of diving.
It's been the number one anxiety producer whenever I thought about trying out a meet. So I made up my mind to get over it. It was a perfect day to work on this, as there were only 2 other people in the entire outdoor pool (cloudy,rainy and cool). I started from the poolside in the diving well and then dove off blocks for the first time. All in all, I did around 50 dives.
At the end, most were serviceable enough to get me off of the blocks at the start of the race, and best yet, I'm no longer scared on going in head first.
Thanks Peter and Barb--took me a good long time, but less long than I thought it might, so that was encouraging! They've timed the race so the current is behind the swimmers, and I'll be glad for whatever help Mother Nature is willing to give!
