Today's plan? A scheduled 30 minutes in the pool, hoping for about 750M.
And today, I had my goggles. And, I wore them.
But, it didn't go as I would have like it to.
I was really bothered by the fact that I do not use proper form when doing the front crawl. I am almost embarassed to share this, but it seems as if I struggle with keeping my face in the water. For some reason I tend to keep everything from my nose and up, above water. And in doing so, I think my upper body becomes more tired from trying to keep my head above water. (NOT me in the picture)I don't know why I do this. I used to swim all the time when I was younger, and my mom tells me that I used to swim laps with my eyes open... So what is the deal? I feel as if I have to reteach myself how to properly do the front crawl. Seriously?!?! WTF?
I think the worst of it was having a life guard watching the entire time. I will not be in the pool again for a couple weeks... it is closed now ... for cleaning. I guess it takes to stinkin' weeks to clean a 4 lane pool. Whatever.
OSN: 500M
Duration: No flippin' clue...
I am very frustrated....but I am NOT going to give up.
"Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe dedicated."
16 comments:
Oh no! I'm sorry your swim didn't go as planned. I'm frustrated for you. I've told you this before (I think, and if not, I should have)...sometimes, you have to take two steps back before you can take a step forward. So, just think how awesome you will be in the water once you do correct your stroke? I mean, it's totally worth the commitment to improving, so like you said, DON'T GIVE UP GOSH DARN IT!!! =)
KelsaLynn
Well, if you're ashamed, then I'm not quite sure what I should be! I've never been able to (well, technically I've never tried) swim above the water in form. I always swim underwater doin' the froggie style jerk of the legs.
While the swim didn't go as planned, your form looks pretty great in the photo. I am convinced I would drown myself.
You'll get there...
Ohhh girl just have me pop in the pool with you and your form will look excellent! I don't even know if you'd what to call whatever I do, swimming LOL. Don't give up chica!!! ;D
Might I suggest the Total Immersion book? Its at least a good place to start. OK. So work on your form rather than working on laps. Who cares how many you do or how long they take at this point. Point your head at the far wall and your face at the bottom of the pool. Blow enough air out of your nose so the pressure prevents water from coming in. When you are ready to breath, roll over onto your side and take a breath when your mouth breaches.
Take your time. With winter coming on soon, you have plenty of time to learn proper swim form. Soon you will be kicking all of our butts...
When I was a kid, I had this horrible summer of swim lessons where I tried to hold my breath while doing the front crawl. And after laps, I always felt dizzy and nauseous, so I thought one day I was gonna pass out and drown. Needless to say, swim lessons that year made me a nervous wreak. When I finally confessed that I didn't have the breathign down, the teacher wasn't mad, like I thought she'd be, she just re-taught me the correct way, and I was able to do it without fear of dying.
So, you do have to stick your face in the water, blow out, and when you're out of air, tip you face to the side to inhale air. Your face should barely come out of the water, and your one ear should remain submerged. Maybe you should try practicing that with the wall. Did you ever have to do that in swim lessons before they actually let you swim?
I'm not much of a swimmer now, but I do know this: form is about 90% of swimming. If you get form right, you'll glide through the water.
Love the quote.
Don't even think about giving up!! I used to run all the time and when I started back up I had to learn how to do it all over again. Pacing, breathing, etc...I'm still trying to relearn everything actually. You will be great. Just keep up the hard work.
That sucks that the pool is closed so long...no other pool you can go to? I know the proper way to swim but I never bother with real form when I do swim, but then I've never actually done swimming for exercise...I don't even have any goggles.
You'll get it, no worries. Wes is right, Total Immersion book and drills is the way to go to get the feel for how to be in the water. Distance and time will come much more easily once you get a good form going - and you don't want to practice yards and yards of poor form - that's a lot of muscle memory to undue.
Give yourself a pat on the back for reaching beyond your comfort zone - you'll come out way ahead in the long run!
I forgot to mention... I went to Barnes and Noble after my sloppy swim session, hoping to find a good book on swimming, or tri's (other than the one I had) ... and they had NOTHING! Not even running books! This B&N was pathetic! GRRR. I will check online for that TOTAL IMMERSION BOOK... thanks!
I also totally agree about the TI book! It has great tips for technique! I am still working through the beginner section! Also, I loved Slow Fat Triathlete. LOL
You can do it!! Hang in there and keep after it!! It does get easier, I promise!
I love that quote, can I PLEASE steal it? :>)
You'll get better at it. You look better than I would in the picture(I'd be flappy my arms wildly)!
I wish I had advice to give you but swimming is a league I know nothing about. I'm sure you will get better with you stick with it.
btw, love the quote.
Hang in there. Like everything it takes practice! One day it will be as easy as walking!
Take Care
Bummer sister but kudo's to you for not walking away. Swimming is not my favorite thing (the technical kind) but to get efficient you've got to train and swim with proper form. I'm envious of your committment!
I'm sorry your swim wasn't what you expected. A girlfriend recently started swimming with me during Masters and decided to take lessons. She has nothing but positive things to say about her experience taking private lessons - says she already notices a difference in her comfort & form after only 2 sessions!
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