Hey, solo swimmers! :wave: Welcome to the thread for all of us who train solo. Whether you train on your own due to a lack of a Masters team in your area (or for any other reason), this is our virtual locker room. Please post training tips that you think would be helpful, or anything else you would like to share with the rest of us. Have a rant? Go ahead and vent here! :rantonoff:
I'll start with a tip:
The most frustrating thing for me training solo is not having a coach on deck to evaluate my stroke and keep me on track, so I bought a waterproof camera and enlisted the help of my husband to periodically shoot video of all four strokes. Shooting underwater video became a knee/back buster, so I bought a camera mount and attached it to PVC pipe, so my husband could stand up straight to shoot underwater video. The camera gets dunked underwater, and he twists the pipe to pan the camera as I swim by.
Today, I bought a 2-pack of 12-inch "Gear Tie" reusable rubber twist ties (available at Home Depot), so I can tie the PVC pipe to the pool ladder (located in the corner of the pool) and shoot video myself. (If I angle the camera just right and keep it on wide angle, I can video me coming and going.)
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After each video session, I upload the videos to my desktop computer and compare my stroke to my favorite Go Swim stroke videos to see what I'm doing well (or not). I also post them on the Forums for feedback.
Ok, solo swimmers, what's your tip?
Just wondering where folks swim, how far do you travel for a good pool?
Lots of options. Depends on where I am that day. Usually the town fitness center, about 5 miles from home. Also a choice of 3 YMCAs, 1) 10 miles north near my daughter's house, 2) 10 miles east, 3) 15 miles south near my son and my sister. And the open water swims in summer with the triathlon club, at a lake about 20 miles away.
Just wondering where folks swim, how far do you travel for a good pool?
In Cincinnati, our Y pools, for the most part, are excellent and metro memberships affordable so I have about four pools at which I typically split time. One can mean a 20 minute drive each way, but its a great pool. My schedule can be somewhat unpredictable so I just keep my bag handy and if a spare hour+ opens, I run for the nearest pool. I also make attempts to map out my week's openings on Sundays so I can be sure to get the 4-5 workouts in I want.
I note that you're in Alexandria. When I've traveled to that area, I've had success finding excellent (if often crowded) pools in DC, Arlington, and Alexandria.
Unrelated, this thread popped in my head as I swam Saturday morning. In the same pool, a masters team was training. The coach has occasionally tried to get me to join them. One of the reasons I haven't is that I can't regularly make their workouts. But the other is that I prefer to swim solo. I can tailor the workout to my day and needs. I train for open water swims and like to get in 3500 to 5000 yards in a work out. The masters team typically does about 2200 and is training for meets.
Also, I can flex based on how my week is going. A coach has to plan workouts ahead and to fit 20+ swimmers of varying abilities. If I have a day, where I just don't have it, I can substitute a nice smooth aerobic workout on the deck. Or if I'm feeling up to it, I check the workout boards here and grab a more challenging set right before I head to the pool.
I ask because in December we're moving to Md and it's either the LA Fitness a few miles up the road or a really excellent olympic swim center 20 min. away. We're in Fairfax County with some of the most awesome pools I've ever seen minutes away and I'm very sad to leave them. I wondered what the regular swimmers here consider reasonable to travel for a good pool.
Just wondering where folks swim, how far do you travel for a good pool?
One mile from my house, right here in my adult community. I always have my own lane; my only complaint is the 84 degree water.
The indoor pool is my home-away-from-home most of the year; however, I swim in the outdoor pool when the water temperature is cooler. I have fully enjoyed the 72-74 degree water in our outdoor pool, and have had it all to myself. The noodlers wouldn't even dip a toe in it! :bliss:
I ask because in December we're moving to Md and it's either the LA Fitness a few miles up the road or a really excellent olympic swim center 20 min. away. We're in Fairfax County with some of the most awesome pools I've ever seen minutes away and I'm very sad to leave them. I wondered what the regular swimmers here consider reasonable to travel for a good pool.
I thought you just moved to an adult community. You're moving again?
Nichollsvi, Germantown is about an hour away. I'll be near the Crofton/Odenton line so if you know of any great facilities near me, I'd love to hear about them as the Anne Arundel Olympic Swim Center is about 15 miles away.
early 70's? I can't handle unless its like 80. Wow ... dont know how you do it.
As long as I am swimming race-pace, I'm fine. I can't stop for long, though, because I have Raynaud's, and my fingers, toes, ears, and nose will turn blue! :afraid:
