Solo Swimmers

I laughed at your description of the one arm/doggy paddle swimmer, 67King. I used to see that a lot when I swam at the rec center in Virginia. Yeah, my doc is pretty on board with these things. His goal is to get people back to doing whatever makes them happy, and he knows for me that's swimming. Which is why when I asked him about aqua therapy he said it would be awesome, so as soon as I can get into a bathing suit we will be in the pool. Recovery takes quite a while. I have a pretty significant tear and bone spurs. He described everything and it doesn't sound like it's one of those I'll be in the pool in a couple of months repairs. I'm also trying to figure out how I can start grad school. ElaineK, remember that awesome pool at UMd? That's where I'll be when I can swim again.

Feel free to start a new thread about you, and I will promise not to ever, EVER post on it. I can't speak for 67, but I'm guessing he might feel the same way. I only commented because if anyone is reading that, I would hate for them to not understand that the medical field is very, very judicious in making sure its practicing physicians are very much up to speed on what is known. Unfortunately between the stupid pharma advertising on TV (illegal everywhere in the world except here and New Zealand!), and flippin' Press-Ganey surveys which have done more to create the opioid crisis than all the poppies in Afghanistan, more and more people feel that their doctors are supposed to be told how to do their job. (Oops, I went chasing a squirrel, didn't I?) But yes, it stinks getting old, and the injuries and stuff that comes from it. You couple that with the fact that most of us here are probably pushing ourselves a whole lot harder than most people in the pool with us, and most people who are trying to just keep fit who are our age, and we're probably going to be in pain a bit more. And the sport is not as common as the stuff that is considered "revenue generating" in college, meaning that physicians who know about the little technical details are not as common as ones who repair ACL's on football players. But just like when I argue with Porsche owners (and I am one)......just because Porsche makes the engine doesn't mean it obeys a different law of physics than all of the other engines out there. So, latest two "solo swimmer" stories, one for a chuckle, one for a simultaneous groan and inspiration. The chuckle......so, is it a testament to one's effort, or an indictment of their conditioning when, after finishing up a hard set or test swim, one is breathing so hard, someone steps out of the sauna (sealed door!) to make sure whoever is making all that noise is okay!? Second. I think I've shared the story of the guy who wears a diving mask, fins, paddles, and lays across a noodle who kinda-sorta does something resembling sculling for his 5 minute lap time. Lately there is a lady who doesn't walk that well who swims. Upright.....legs dangling. Kinda moves them a little, but not to get them higher up or provide any propulsion. Pulls mostly with her right arm, it is the one that comes out of the water. Left one does move, but always underwater. Doesn't have the best DPS........out of curiosity, and while resting to "full recovery"*, I counted strokes. Never exactly swims wall to wall, so a little short of that. 44 strokes with the right arm, so if the left counts, 88. To go less than 20 yards. So while it is certainly inspiring to see someone with limited mobility get out and do that, I'm constantly fighting the urge to go over and try to teach her she'll be a lot better off if she can try to get body to be a little more flat and less upright (and I'm serious, not quite 90 degrees to the surface, but a good 75 or 80). Or to ever suggest she try a pull buoy. I really enjoy when the triathletes or other swimmers talk to you and compliment you. Makes it feel like they'd appreciate any feedback, and I really enjoy giving it to those guys, in the hopes that they might make their stroke more efficient. *Full recovery? That's like a hang over. I can't fully recover in the middle of a workout! Especially in 1-2 extra minutes! I can't recover from too much to drink at breakfast! I may become functional, but it takes until the following day to fully recover!!!!

Several thoughtful comments and great observations, 67! I will leave the first two paragraphs alone, because you nailed it. As for the third paragraph, I resemble those remarks! :cane: As for the chuckle, how about a :lmao:? Now, about hat gal with the 88 stroke count. There is one thing to be said about such inefficient swimming: At least it's burning calories! Ok, I'll add another thing: If she has arthritis, all that movement is probably helping those joints as well. Will she ever be a swimmer with that stroke? Uh, no, but good on her for being in the pool. :applaud: (That's my "glass half full" side of me that shuts me up when I want to say and do exactly what you described fighting the urge to do. I've seen the same thing at the Sun City pool where I train, and it is being done by my neighbors and friends. I just smile, say hello, and wish them a good day!) Now, about that last paragraph, it is those very same people (see above) that compliment me on my swimming and ask about my meets. :angel: Yeah, it makes my day. If any of the other swimmers ask for help (and several have), I offer a video session (free, of course!), so they can see their own stroke. It makes the advice I give them a lot more meaningful and understandable to them, when they can see what I'm talking about!

.............Uh, no, but good on her for being in the pool..... Yeah, I said simultaneous frustration and inspiration.....and then I skipped mentioning what you did! So yeah, I'm happy to see her in the pool doing something despite her limited mobility. SO thanks for picking up the ball after I dropped it!

So I tried a drag suit for the first time in a very long time during my morning lap session before work early this morning. Wore them over my Speedo. I gotta say I wasn't that thrilled with it. I didn't notice much of a difference. I think I'll just stick to a pair of swim briefs on their own instead. I just didn't notice any difference in wearing the drag suit. Maybe I just need to break it in lol. I don't know.

Well, I'm going to swim a 200 IM in the local senior Olympics. Please show me a good video of an open turn for backstroke my flipped turn doesn't always work. Also, a good open turn from back to ***. Usually I see videos mainly on crossover or flipped which I can't do.

Well, I'm going to swim a 200 IM in the local senior Olympics. Please show me a good video of an open turn for backstroke my flipped turn doesn't always work. Also, a good open turn from back to ***. Usually I see videos mainly on crossover or flipped which I can't do. Try doing a search on YouTube.

So I tried a drag suit for the first time in a very long time during my morning lap session before work early this morning. Wore them over my Speedo. I gotta say I wasn't that thrilled with it. I didn't notice much of a difference. I think I'll just stick to a pair of swim briefs on their own instead. I just didn't notice any difference in wearing the drag suit. Maybe I just need to break it in lol. I don't know. I tried a pair once. And someone lost them about 1/2 way down the pool. Other than something that felt really strange to swim with I saw nothing positive. I know people swear by them, but not for me.

I just found some videos using this search string: swimming open turn backstroke Please know I'm not a competitive swimmer at ALL, can't attest to the quality of lack of it of any of the hits, but I am good at coming up with good search terms!!! :D

I know people swear by them, but not for me. I'm the same. I don't like them.