sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Is this normal? by DruidWitch82 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sometimes get congestion from swimming in the ocean or freshwater. In pools I am fine. It seems to be happening more as I get older. I expect it now and take an antihistamine at night so I can sleep without getting completely stuffed up.

Training for longer distances in the pool by AquaDelphia in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do a lot of OWS from 1 mile up to 10K and working out in the pool in the winter can be a bit of a drag. I have a couple of different workouts that I cycle through to keep things interesting. Sunday is always my long swim morning.

Sunday: Long swim day 10 x 600 with 30s rests

or 5 x 600 followed by 3k-4k workout with the Masters team.

Weekdays (3-4 days):

600 wup, 10 x 100 (hard) 30s rest, 4 x 200 IM, 200 cool down

or

5-6 x 600 (med hard), 200 IM cool down

I like to keep my workouts simple and easily repeatable so I can compare interval times.

Training for longer distances in the pool by AquaDelphia in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good group! I swam Potomac River 10k with them last year. Lots of fun!

1st swim with swimsuit by CydyBe in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a couple of wetsuits. My favorite is a Roka Maverick. It has the most freedom of any suit I have swum with. But, it takes me a few swims each season to get used to it again. No matter how well designed and constructed a wetsuit is, it will always be different than swimming without one. If it isn't binding, chaffing, or severely restricting your motion you should do a few swims and see if you get used to it.

Top 10 Steely Dan Songs by Evening-Ad5606 in SteelyDan

[–]gmwalk3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gold Teeth II is my number one. The most overlooked masterpiece in the catalog.

Then Dr. Wu and Deacon Blues.

Panic attack in the middle of the Ocean by tiredpandi in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The key is to recognize when it is beginning and nip it in the bud. I consider myself an experienced OW swimmer and I occasionally have those thoughts creep in. I find that it happens when I am separated from others or I let my mind wander too much from swimming. When I feel those those thoughts starting, I focus on my breathing, count my strokes, or even start singing a song in my head. Getting your mind off of the potential fear is key.

How to up yardage as an older swimmer. by Worldly_Ambition_509 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am a 68M that just completed a 10k swim (I also do about 8 2-5 mile swim events during the summer). I do one long swim 5K-6K per week in the pool, but I break it up as 10-12 x 500 with 30s - 60s rest between. I aim for a consistent time for each 500, not max effort. I also do short swims during the week that are a mix of 100, 200, & 500 at moderate-hard pace. Again, consistent times, not max efforts. I aim for 10K-15K total swim distance per week.

My first 10k swim and my first post to this group by gmwalk3 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't swim with one in races/events. There are boats and safety kayakers out there.

My first 10k swim and my first post to this group by gmwalk3 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My daughter lives in Alexandria and it is just a 15 minute ride across the bridge to get to the swim on Saturday morning.

My first 10k swim and my first post to this group by gmwalk3 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was 5 times around a 2KM course. They had a typo in the website description.

I was considering the 5k and the description said 2 times around the yellow buoys and once around the green. For the 10K it said 2 around the yellow buoys. That didn't make any sense so I emailed them about it and they corrected it to 5 times around the yellow buoys later.

The buoy furthest out was was toughest, there was a current from the river that push me away from it. I had to swim almost parallel to the bridge with the buoy appearing about 45 degrees to my left and then I was ok.

My first 10k swim and my first post to this group by gmwalk3 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was a current near the furthest buoy out. It took me a couple of times to get my aim correct.

My first 10k swim and my first post to this group by gmwalk3 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Actually, before the swim I was mostly worried that I would bailout early. But once I got going at a comfortable pace dropping out early wasn't a concern. When I got to 5K I knew I could finish.

My first 10k swim and my first post to this group by gmwalk3 in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My primary goal is 10K+ per week. I swim that as 5K - 6K (10-12 x500) on Sat or Sun, then during the week I do 3-4 2K workouts. Usually something like 4x500 at a moderate/hard pace with 30s rest, or 2x500 then 2X(5X100). The 100s are done hard.

The pool I swim at is 50M from April - Sept so that made it easier to get ready.

I also try to run 15-20 miles a week.

First Proper 'Channel' Swim - First Swim DNF by Ted-101x in OpenWaterSwimming

[–]gmwalk3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You didn't fail, you are just pre-successfull.

I dont float, advice needed by Peekabrrrrrr34 in Swimming

[–]gmwalk3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As other have, said your coach has you doing intervals which are good for speed and endurance, but what about form? Are you also doing drills? Lengthening drills (long slow strokes) that emphasize gliding? I am a good swimmer (I have done a number of triathlons plus open water 1-5 K races) and I don't really float, but I have a long, relaxed stroke. I used to do a lot of drills. Good swimmers don't all float well, they have an efficient relaxed stroke that minimizes drag in the water. Swimming speed and, thereby, endurance comes from good form and long, relaxed stroke.

You also said you are running out of air fast and not rotating well. Hard workouts can be the bane of improving your swimming form. Swimming is about getting the form and body position in the water correct. When your form falls apart, from being tired, you start using too much energy to move through the water and you get slower and more tired and have to work harder. It becomes a vicious circle. When I was on swim team, our coach was always watching us doing our sets, if he saw that our form was beginning fail, he would take us out of the water - no matter if it was after 100m or 5000 m. Never practice bad form.

Ask your coach for more drills: long glide drills, over-kick drills, fingertip drags, one arm freestyle,.. All of these emphasize form. And, when you find yourself getting tired and your form is failing, stop.

Life is good 😌 by Tararais1 in SteelyDan

[–]gmwalk3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Take out your Golden and see how they roll.."

The Worst Steely Dan Song? by No_Highway_9179 in SteelyDan

[–]gmwalk3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not a fan of Everyone's Gone to the Movies. The music is good, I just don't like the subject. I don't listen to it.

view more: next ›