I am 35 and in pretty decent shape. I ride 4-5000 miles a year and do endurance events (100 mile mt. bike races). Unfortunately, my Dr. just told me no more riding for 3 + months. I usually ride through the winter, well enough to stay in some sort of shape.
While I am not excited about droping $800 bucks to join the Y to use the pool I am kind of excited to try something new. My Dr. told me I can swim and I plan on using this to keep my cardio and tone up over the winter.
Problem is I have no idea where to start. From goggles, suit, to what to do in the pool other than swim. In cycling I always tell beginners any cycling is better than no cycling, I would guess this is true for swimming (at a beginner level).
I know how to swim and was on the swim team through grade school (yeah I know a long time ago but at least I know what its about). I have tried to read some of the posts here about training, but to be honest I just dont know the lingo.
Like most things I will probably get hooked on this and want to see what I can do with it. I would like to work up to doing 1-2 hours.
Thanks for the help.
Al
Parents
Former Member
Well I survived 60 Laps today. I was surprised how good my arms felt, as they are the part that gets the most fatiuged.
I did the first 10 laps freestyle ( 2 at a time)
Then I did 2 kicking and 2 pulling
Did another 6 Free style ( 2 at a time)
2 kicking
4 pulling
2 freestyle
3 freestyle ( lap 29,30,31 in a row for my first 3x)
I chugged along for a while and then at lap 41 I did my first 4 in a row:bliss: I was so surprised, not only did i make my goal of 40 laps I passed it and in doing so I actually did 4 in a row on just my 3rd day in the pool. OK no big deal to you guys but it was to me.
I did a bunch more laps pulling and even got up to 6 in a row. Man I never realized how much kicking wipes you out. I am definitely going to add more kicking to my practice.
I noticed a lot of people (much stronger than I am) using flippers while using the kick boards. I kind of see this as cheating, or does this make you stronger? I would think you are better off not using them but I am not sure.
Well I survived 60 Laps today. I was surprised how good my arms felt, as they are the part that gets the most fatiuged.
I did the first 10 laps freestyle ( 2 at a time)
Then I did 2 kicking and 2 pulling
Did another 6 Free style ( 2 at a time)
2 kicking
4 pulling
2 freestyle
3 freestyle ( lap 29,30,31 in a row for my first 3x)
I chugged along for a while and then at lap 41 I did my first 4 in a row:bliss: I was so surprised, not only did i make my goal of 40 laps I passed it and in doing so I actually did 4 in a row on just my 3rd day in the pool. OK no big deal to you guys but it was to me.
I did a bunch more laps pulling and even got up to 6 in a row. Man I never realized how much kicking wipes you out. I am definitely going to add more kicking to my practice.
I noticed a lot of people (much stronger than I am) using flippers while using the kick boards. I kind of see this as cheating, or does this make you stronger? I would think you are better off not using them but I am not sure.
