Author Topic: Swimming Thread (Read 788 times)

Habu · « **on:** September 17, 2004, 10:36:53 AM »

Ok here is my attempt to start a thread that has nothing to do with politics or gun laws or anything in the news.

Anyone in here swim?

My story will probably mean nothing to those of you in your 20's but may hit home for those in their 40's.

I used to in High School and was half decent for a non club swimmer. In university I played waterpolo for 5 years but did not swim as I did not have the time for all the workouts.

When I turned 40 I started to get into aviation and noticed that my weight of 300 lbs really limited my choice of airplanes and ultralights. I was not grossly overweight as I am 6'7'. Still I had a 44 inch waist. But I realized that I was not getting any thinner nor was I ever going to get any fitter. Life just has a way of making you slowly gain weight and get out of shape. You like to think you are the same person you were in your 20's but you are not even close.

So one day out of the blue I decided to start going to the local pool in the morning. In Canada in winter that means getting up at 5 am and driving to it in total darkness to get an hour of lengths in.

At first I could swim 10 lengths before being totally exhausted. That works out to 250 meters.

I kept at it and eventually was swimming a mile in 30 minutes.

After a few months I joined this group of really fit and thin triathlon swimmers and was in the slow lane. Six months later I was one of the fastest swimmers in the group. We swim about 2 k in a workout. Most triathletes are very fit but have very bad form in the pool. As a former swimmer I was very unfit but had a very efficient stroke.

That summer I entered a triathlon as a relay group. I did the swim. I swam 2 kilometers in 35 minutes. It was my first time every swimming in a race longer than 400 m. I did not even know if I would finish it without quiting the pace.

This summer I did it again and swam the race in 34 minutes, open water with about 300 swimmers in the water. I was faster than 3/4's of them even though most are much younger than me.

Just recently I joined a masters swimming group. We had our first workout last night. I went in one of the slower lanes but went first. I found I could keep up to the first swimmers in the fast lanes although we were doing drills and leg work which is my weakness as a swimmer. I am much faster in freestyle. I felt great as most of these people are very fit and have swam in races for years. Some hold age group records. Some have extensive swimming backgrounds.

Today I weigh 255 lbs and have lost a ton of body fat and replaced it with muscle. I now have a 40 or 39 inch waist. My upper body is much slimmer as that was were most of my weight was before. I am loseing a few pounds each month but eat pretty much as before.

It is really amazing what you can accomplish with just a bit of dedication and 3 one hour workouts a week. I really did not think I would still be getting up at 5 am two mornings a week and swimming an hour on Sunday as well but here it is 2 full years later and I am still going strong.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2004, 10:42:32 AM »

Swimming is definately the best exercise you can do. Low to no impact, and works virtually every muscle in your body.

I need to get back into it as well.

Congratulations on your perseverence!

midnight Target · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2004, 11:05:19 AM »

WTG Habu.

Swimming is a great sport. My high school team had one Olympic medalist (he lost to Mark Spitz) and many who went on to swim in college. I played basketball instead during the winter/spring. Being 6'7" would have helped tremendously.

Habu · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2004, 11:07:23 AM »

You will find as I did that there is this great network of older swimmmers and clubs out there for masters swimming.

There are great new friends to be made and many good times to be had. Once you start swimming you will find that you will start to link up with these groups.

It does not have to be a lonely early morning ordeal at all.

Nilsen · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2004, 11:37:26 AM »

I swim 3 times a week. I the summer when the ocean is warm i swim every day.

Octavius · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2004, 12:32:53 PM »

I swam 4 years back in high school and was a lifeguard for the county during those 4 years.

I was one of the faster sprinters on the team and considered myself to have a pretty good form/stroke. Being only 5'11", I don't have an advantage over the taller, slimmer swimmers with a huge reach. I hated any sort of endurance race. I swam a 500m once and died a horrible death. PR 50m is only 25seconds.

Now, I haven't been in a pool for about a year and a half... Too bad the pool isn't filled with beer - I'd be in right away.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2004, 01:56:55 PM »

I only swim when I fall out of the boat. 6'4", 235#, 10% BF
3 to 4 times a week on the lake weather allowing, on a Concept 2 rowing ergometer in winter. Give it a try if you want to cross train. You'd be amazed at the size of the sport in Canuckland.

>edit 'in', not 'on'

Sixpence · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2004, 02:00:22 PM »

WTG Habu!

Sixpence · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2004, 02:02:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Holden McGroin
I only swim when I fall out of the boat. 6'4", 235#, 10% BF
3 to 4 times a week on the lake weather allowing, on a Concept 2 rowing ergometer in winter. Give it a try if you want to cross train. You'd be amazed at the size of the sport on Canuckland.

expensive for the boat? They do that up here on the Charles river, would love to try it

slimm50 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2004, 02:34:12 PM »

WTG Habu. Heh, tell me about gainin weight as you get older. I'm 6'3", and for most of my life I was pretty slender. Hence the handle "slimm". But I'm almost 52 now ( will be in November) and I'm fightin to maintain a 44" waist. Would like to whittle it down to 38". Wife and I are thinkin seriously of joining the local Y just so we can use their pool because we've both been so sedentery for the past few years. We figured swimming would be the best way to boost our metabolism. Your story is greatly encouraging.
Thanks for the thread.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2004, 02:34:14 PM »

Cost of a shell?

Depends on the boat. Like a bicycle, if you buy Lance's bike you'll spend 8 or 10,000. But you can get one for your use for a few hundred that'll do you okay.

Check out local clubs; most have club owned boats you can use for the price of dues.

I bought mine in 1987 for about 3,000 so its been about 150 / year so far.

You could get a serviceable used one in the northeast for less than a grand.

Bodhi · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2004, 03:51:08 PM »

wtg Habu, thats impressive.

Torque · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2004, 04:46:05 PM »

Performance pools are sweet, you can adjust the water flow for personal training. Better than getting up a 5:00 am and driving in the snow.

I swam Tomac for a few years, i was a bullet in the backstroke and butterfly.

Btw Habu at 6'7" you're an Albatros.

http://www.fernoperformancepools.com/

B17Skull12 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2004, 05:18:14 PM »

i am good at it.

back in second semister PE last year i was the fastest person in the pool. But swimming is not my type of thing i would do everyday.

vorticon · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2004, 08:03:33 PM »

ug, havent been near a pool since i was, 10 or so (quit after i failed a swimming course...couldent dive). and havent done any real swimming since i was 13. only time i got into water since then was capsizing during that sailing course.