This week I’ve finally decided to start swimming at the gym. I bought a bathing suit a few weekends back, and I already had goggles. Swim cap ready, I headed to the gym Monday morning after waking up too late to make 6 am yoga. I swam from 6:15 to 6:45, for a total of 31 minutes, and swam 16 laps. That’s a little less than a half mile. After consulting with my sorella, I learned that she was just as slow when she started, so I didn’t feel so badly.
But I did have questions. How do you breathe? Do you breathe every stroke? Do you exhale under water? Am I kicking my legs correctly? Does it make you feel like you’re going to drown? Do you ever swallow water when trying to breathe? Why doesn’t my swim cap cover all the hair in the back, and how can I take it off without pulling out all of my hair.
Needless to say, I need a few days (and a yoga session) before I could dive back in. Last night, though, I had about 45 minutes of free time before I was supposed to meet a friend at the movies (more on that later.) I grabbed my swim stuff and headed to the (overcrowded after work) gym. One lane was open, so I grabbed it, though not for long. Soon I was sharing my lane with a speedo-wearing man, but at least he was just as slow as me, so I didn’t feel as bad. The swimmers in the middle lane were intimidating, as they didn’t stop between laps and seemed to have thrashing down to a minimum. And they didn’t stop mid-pool to make sure they were swimming straight.
Shortly after, about 20 minutes in, I was sharing the lane with two speedo-clad men. Luckily, this made me swim faster (who doesn’t love a little competition?) I ended up swimming 18 laps in 26 minutes, which was about .55 of a mile, and was faster than Monday! Improvement! Already! Splendid!
Today my back hurts a little, so I’ll be going to yoga to see how I do, but I think it’s because I am not kicking correctly….Nikita says I should use a kickboard, which I will try next time I swim.
After swimming last night I headed to the movies (located a mere 2 flights downstairs, oh LA how I love you) with my gym bag, wet hair, in sweat pants, and holding my bike helmet (I biked to the gym.) I talked to my dad on the phone, telling him about how ridiculous I looked and how hot it was outside and how I always looked like a hot mess when going to the ArcLight and someone famous always walks by. Immediately after I hung up with him (CW had arrived) Gene Simmons walked by. Serves me right.
Weekend is almost here. Can’t wait. What are you lovelies up to? Anyone have kicking technique advice?
I have always loved the water and spend hours in the summer at the beach doing what I call “swimming”. I don’t swim like a swimmer. I swim like an otter. Not much form and lots of rolling and paddling. This could be a little embarrassing at a gym pool, with technically correct swimmers all around. But, in my little world, my version of swimming is absolute bliss. I believe that if I continue to move and breathe and exert effort, I am right on target. Let yourself enjoy and please, avoid those men in speedos. There is something fundamentally wrong with a man who feels comfortable in that tiny piece of cloth that keeps no secrets. So, my lovely California niece, my advice to you would be to learn to swim the correct way, work on improving your numbers. But, every once in a while, be an otter. I promise, you will enjoy it and you will still be burning calories, and using muscles. But, most importantly, it will be fun and fancy free. And to me, that is the key to any good workout. I understand if you choose not to take exercise advise fom a chubby. But, please think of it as mental health advise from someone who knows that life is short. Make it fun. Love you Jennie Lynn. By the way, if you see Gene Simmons again, tell him he has an adorable little mother and he is a good son.
Thanks Aunt Rose!! I love otter swimming, I will remind myself of that when I am swimming. 🙂 I take exercise advise from ANYONE!! 🙂 Love you. I’ll tell Gene next time I bump into him!
Otter swimming is always how I cool down 🙂 Two laps of that to end your swim and you feel great.
Otherwise, just keep practicing, you’ll get it. I did, and I’m so uncoordinated. When you come up to breathe, try swiveling your hips (you’ll have to think about this a lot at first) to turn your body and head, instead of lifting your head out of the water. You’ll find a little pocket of air to breathe out of that way. 🙂 Keep it up! I need a new swimsuit so I can get back in the pool, I miss it!