Swim happy

RE: Swim happy

Elaine Krugman — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 14:28:23 GMT

Congratulations, Benjamin! That's a LOT to be proud of in your swimming!

Since it was frustratingly slow trying to get your post to load up in this long thread, I am going to start a new "Swim Happy" thread. I hope to see you there with more great news!

RE: Swim happy

Benjamin v.d.W. — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 01:53:07 GMT

Hello all!

It's been a while since I posted anything (old forum name was Zwemmer) but I wanted to check in and reconnect with people here.

To recap: swam high school and college, took 32+ years off and returned to the pool in summer 2018 swimming with Palmetto Masters in Charleston, South Carolina. This year was crazy as I moved from SC to Colorado Springs and after two months of almost no training (moving is fun! ha!) just started swimming with Pikes Peak Masters on June 1st. Getting used to the altitude and enjoying a great pool & team.

Posting all this here for the reasons already mentioned and to also say how happy I am to be in Colorado, to be swimming, and to be once again inspired by all the Olympic Trials swimming goin on. And very much looking forward to getting in shape to go to USMS Nationals next year and breaking some records. Last year saw me get 7 USMS All American awards in the 55-59 age group and to be FINA world-ranked in 6 SCM events. 😀

— 2nd in the world in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke & the 100 time is the 4th fastest ever in history,

— 3rd in the world in the 50 Breaststroke and 200 IM,

— 7th in the world in the 50 Free, and

— 8th in the world in the 50 Butterfly.

So yup! I'm definitely swim happy.

RE: Swim happy

Badger — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:04:01 GMT

Go Team Don't Finish Last! 😃

RE: Swim happy

Elaine Krugman — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 17:43:20 GMT

Congratulations!

RE: Swim happy

Badger — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 12:49:15 GMT

Had a great time on Sunday swimming in so-far the longest competitive open water race I've done - Washington's Crossing down in DC. Exciting to get back to the race atmosphere in general, and travel out of state, and challenge myself. It was supposed to be 1.25 miles, but the course was definitely longer than that (most people concurred). Either way, it was tough but not as tough as I thought, and I was faster than I expected, so I'm pretty chuffed.

RE: Swim happy

Allen Stark — Sat, 22 May 2021 19:30:05 GMT

That is fantastic and inspiring.

RE: Swim happy

Elaine Krugman — Sat, 22 May 2021 18:33:58 GMT

It's time to resurrect and old, favorite thread! I just received the most rewarding e-mail from a gal in my community who I taught how to swim several years ago. She has been swimming ever since:

Elaine,

OMG. YOU BRING TEARS TO MY EYES. YOU ARE SO GIVING. THE GIFT OF BEING COMFORTABLE IN THE WATER IS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER RECEIVED. AND NOW YOU ARE HELPING OTHERS. THIS IS SUCH A BLESSING. LOVE YOU, GIRL.

Gail

Gail is the president of ACES, a charter club in my Sun City community that recognizes and celebrates African-American cultural, educational and social events. I am one of a handful of white members in this club of 200+ members, and I serve on the Cultural Committee.

Another member, a former swimming instructor, and I are offering free instruction to any of our members who want to become water safe and learn how to swim. Yesterday, we had a group of ten ladies, and it was a blast! One lady, a friend of mine, was afraid of the water, and was very hesitant to put her face in. I got her to just blow bubbles by putting her lips in the water... and then her nose and lips... and then her face... and then her head... By the end of class, she was doing a jellyfish float for several seconds, before stretching out to a full face-down float; and, she was able to get back up on her feet. I led the group in a shout-out and round of applause, and Cathy was smiling from ear to ear!

Half the group was kicking in the 11 position by the end of class with a nice flutter kick and great body position. Tomorrow, we're back for another class, and I'm taking whoever will commit to practicing and continuing for more free sessions on Fridays.

It makes me happy to see other people happy in the water!

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 11:28:32 GMT

The time drop from a dive is both due to the flying time in the air with far less resistance than water, and then the momentum you gain from the velocity you have upon entry. Since you rarely dive, you may as well start by trying to be like Caleb ... this is a video of beauty - www.youtube.com/watch "Be like Caleb!!" That's my mantra!! :) Thanks for this. I'm excited to try more diving, when the pandemic allows for the use of the platforms. Sub-15 and sub-34? I'd be thrilled with that.

RE: Swim happy

Patrick W. Brundage — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 09:10:44 GMT

I'm thrilled with my new 25m PR of 16.5sec (pushing off). I know I know....25m!! LOL!!? But I think the 25m needs more love. I wonder if I can go sub 15sec with a dive-in one day in the far off future? That is a goal that drives me.If yuo can go 16.5 froma push, you can go sub 15 from a dive ... TODAY

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 07:25:20 GMT

If yuo can go 16.5 froma push, you can go sub 15 from a dive ... TODAY Um...wow!! :) I rarely dive, so I'm not sure that I'd gain the 1.5sec right away.

RE: Swim happy

Patrick W. Brundage — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 05:56:01 GMT

Um...wow!! :) I rarely dive, so I'm not sure that I'd gain the 1.5sec right away.The time drop from a dive is both due to the flying time in the air with far less resistance than water, and then the momentum you gain from the velocity you have upon entry. Since you rarely dive, you may as well start by trying to be like Caleb ... this is a video of beauty - www.youtube.com/watch

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 10:41:50 GMT

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 13:19:44 GMT

Trying a new focus of workout vs last year... did 8x200IMs as part of my main set on Tuesday. I haven't done any of those or really anything that *challenging* since 2004 or so and I was surprised to be able to do it and while slow, felt great and gave me some confidence going forward. Super happy that I decided to take on something I'd usually avoid because it sounds *too hard*

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 13:18:06 GMT

Happy 50 SCY back sprint from World Swim Day Saturday night! www.youtube.com/watch so, this is fantastic... start looks great!

RE: Swim happy

Patrick W. Brundage — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 10:15:43 GMT

For me to really swim happy, I still need competitions to drive me, to focus my training. Otherwise, I still workout, but aimlessly. This summer I had a couple of great virtual open water events that provided me focus through Labour Day, but I've been trying to find something interesting for this fall/early winter. Here's what I've found: November - the Davis Aquatic Masters Brute Squad ePostal - www.damfast.org/page.cfm. Now, I'm a sucker for a good endurance race and this allows me to string together 3 of my top 5 favorite events in one go. A swimmer friend on Facebook sent this over to me this week and now I'm enacting a plan to try this over the USA Thanksgiving weekend. Early December - For years now, I've always entered the MEMO 400 Kick for time, www.clubassistant.com/.../meet_information.cfm, so I'll do it again. It's obviously not a monster distance, but what I like about this is that it forces me, for ~3-5 weeks, to really focus on kick sets in workout. Candidly, I rarely do kick sets because I find them not so exciting, but I know they're good for me, so this gives me motivation. Maybe some of you will find joy with one or both of these?

RE: Swim happy

Jeff Enge — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 10:00:53 GMT

Happy 50 SCY back sprint from World Swim Day Saturday night! www.youtube.com/watch

RE: Swim happy

Elaine Krugman — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 01:09:20 GMT

Nice backstroke and underwaters, JP! :applaud:

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 07:03:54 GMT

Aw, thanks ElaineK. Yesterday I swam ever so slightly faster than previously at 100m - 1:19.0 (The lifeguard/coach was certain that I was 1:17something....but I think he started his watch late.) Dammit - my next swim is a week away. They must fix something.

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 08:37:48 GMT

I swam my *** off for 50m today, and when I touched the wall that big red second hand sure looked like it was very close to 35.0sec. It was certainly below 35.5sec. I'll call it 35.25sec - my new PR. :)

RE: Swim happy

Elaine Krugman — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 05:45:03 GMT

:applaud: â€‹Way to go, Skuj!

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 09:32:23 GMT

Skuj, I am amazed at your progress in a relatively quick time. Covid had been a set back for us all, but the times you are doing are quite impressive for someone without a competitive swimming background. Aw, you are too kind. Thanks. I often see "real swimmers" at the pool, and I am constantly reminded of my place in the swimming world. (Another 35.5sec 50m today. Last week was not a fluke!) :)

RE: Swim happy

Allen Stark — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 03:41:41 GMT

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 09:31:07 GMT

I hear you Elaine. Every time I jump into the pool at my military base, I pinch myself, and I know how lucky I am. But, I am also constantly driven by goals - short term and long term. SUB35/SUB1:18 IN OCTOBER!!! :)

RE: Swim happy

Former Member — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 06:33:37 GMT

Oh hey, I'm the only happy swimmer these days!! :) My new 100m PR is 1:19.15 (timed by the lifeguard/coach). It was UGLY....37sec at 50m (pushing off), then a badly dying 42sec second half. I can fix this!

RE: Swim happy

Elaine Krugman — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 05:10:58 GMT

I'm just happy to be able to swim! :bliss:Competition for me will be a long way off in the future, so I am not concerned about times at all. My focus is more on technique and everything else EXCEPT my race times. More than ever, swimming is my outlet to deal with the pandemic and all of the horrible things going on; so, it's about just enjoying being in the water.