Swam ten laps during lunch hour. Got very frustrated because let’s face it, I’m not that fast yet, and it was supercrowded so there were four people in the medium-speed lane I was in. I couldn’t get in the slow lane because it was full of old men using kickboards — actual slow swimmers. So we were circling in the lane and people were passing me and shit. Get in the fast lane, dammit! I am not that slow. Seriously.
Anyway, I kept getting out of breath, too, so I had to rest at the end of each full lap. This woman who joined our lane asked me if I was blowing bubbles during my stroke, and I said no, I usually exhale and inhale all at once and hold my breath under water. WELL apparently that is much more taxing on the lungs, so she suggested that whilst underwater, I blow a steady stream of air out through my mouth, then when it’s gone, turn my head and take in a breath. This way the breathing has a more normal rhythm.
I tried it and it seemed to really work, I felt far less tired after one lap. YAY! Thank you nice lady! She gave me some more swimming tips and also suggested that I try to get a videotape of myself swimming sometime, so that I can view what my stroke really looks like.
I’m not a great swimmer yet, but I have made so much progress in the past month. I am going to try to go every day this week, which means I am definitely going to have to bring a few products to work with me — a comb, some good conditioner, some good face moisturizer. Winter is starting to dry my skin a lot, but my new toner and moisturizer (Clinique), SPF (Aveeno), and prescription night cream (Tazorac), are really starting to clear me up again.
Brian is going to train in Concord tonight, so I’ll be home alone, eatin fish sticks and salad for dinner, and hopefully also doing the weights routine on my Pilates DVD. Then a snuggle with the kitties and go to bed hoping and dreaming for a revolution tomorrow.
http://www.swim.ee/models/models.html
Natasha looks at this for swimming tips. There’s some video there too…There’s also this
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/default.stm
but the site is designed really badly.
Hey thanks, Sixen! It helps to see good form described in writing like that.
::prays for a revolution:: If Kerry doesn’t win, I may seriously contemplate jumping the border to Canada.
Hoo-yah! 10 laps (of a 450 yd or 500 m) pool is the Navy swim test. GOOD FOR YOU!
I don’t know if this will help but here’s how I swim endless laps …
I constantly count 1-2-3 (BREATHE IN), then blooowwwww air out during 1-2.
As each arm comes out of the water, count 1..2 for the next arm, 3 for next and your face is out of the water, taking in the next breath.
I’m kind of short so sometimes I’m on 1 or 2 when I’m about to touch the wall. I never hold my breath LONGER, I take the breath earlier then turn around to go back down the lane.
For me, lap swimming (doing the crawl) is beautiful and graceful. Keep at it – you are developing incredible stamina you won’t realize until your friends challenge you to a “how far can you swim underwater”!!!!
If you feel that swimming is becoming boring, try other strokes (back, side) for alternate laps. Plus it helps you keep from losing count of laps.
Hope it helps!
Hoo-yah!
Thanks Beth. I know it might take awhile for me to improve my stamina, but I know I will eventually.
Our pool is 25M long, so one lap is 50M and ten laps is 500M. I would love to get up to a full kilometer!
skincare
I dunno if you have this in the US, but ever since I have been using L’Oreal “Pure Zone” facial washes (with and without scrubbing beads) & moisturizer (anti-regreasing moisturizer!) my face has been SO CLEAR. I have been using it for months and I keep praying it won’t be discontinued because it really works. I noticed that Kiel’s now has something similar, of course I bet it is like 5 times the price.
Keep up the exercising! I have been doing a weight-lifters type of workout (plus running) for two months and I have seen a HUGE difference in my body. Don’t be afraid to use strong weights!! You need to challenge yourself in order to improve!
Re: skincare
I used to use Pure Zone, but stopped I think when I started taking the Accutane last year. It has the same active ingredient as my Clinique toner I think (BHA salycylic acid). But yeah I do remember liking it a lot!
Since I use Tazorac on my face at night, I need to make sure I limit the other medicated stuff I use tho, especially in winter and with all the chlorine on my face these days.