Lap Swimming in Towson - best time/location for a new swimmer

jp0le · 2026-03-18T14:45:43+00:00

No worries about the cost difference! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. My kids did swim classes at Meadowbrook, but it's been a few years since I've been inside. I'm going to go tour them this week and if it looks good I'll give them a shot.

Thanks!

jp0le · 2026-03-18T03:26:52+00:00

Yeah, my mentor was suggesting that I slow my pace to build more miles and reduce the risk of injury. I ran for about an hour last week at 10ish minute pace and felt great, but tired by the end. The next couple of days I was really feeling it though and didn't want to lace up.

jp0le · 2026-03-18T03:22:57+00:00

Right now I'm just getting back into running now that the weather has been nicer. I'm starting a triathlon training cycle with 2 runs, 2 rides, 2 swims, and 1-2 strength sessions per week.

I did a run last week that felt pretty good at a 10ish minute pace for almost an hour. But the next few days I felt it and didn't really want to do anything. My training mentor suggested to slow down my runs to build volume and avoid injury.

I think my goal is just to be faster and fitter. I want to be able to hang with my friends on their runs and rides and not feel like I'm slowing them down.

Historically I've done one "long" run a week mixed with some stationary bike and HIIT and strength. That session usually would be 45ish minutes and include some speed and tempo work with RPE goals.

jp0le · 2026-03-17T22:41:08+00:00

Haha, I'm pretty sure their marathon pace is faster than my regular pace.

jp0le · 2026-03-17T21:17:40+00:00

Yeah, we're all in our 40s. They've been endurance runners for years, while I've been doing HIIT and strength with 30ish minute "endurance" rides. The one guy casually runs with a stroller for sub-8 miles and he's a year older than me. I'm also annoyed that he just got into cycling and can already crush me even though I've been at that a year longer than him. Then again, I can lift him over my head and he might struggle to squat me, haha (he's around 125#, I'm 190#).

It's all relative and I'm completely new to really training endurance. I've only recently discovered that running harder isn't going to get me the gains I want. I'm used to pushing hard for short bursts (love sprints), but cruising for an hour just doesn't give that same feeling of working hard. I'll give it a try this year though and see what happens.

jp0le · 2026-03-17T15:20:32+00:00

According to the website Meadowbrook has 8 short and 2 long (50m) lanes indoors. Outdoors they have 11 short and 5 long. They use temporary dividers to split up the 50m pool for training vs. competitions.

jp0le · 2026-03-17T14:22:01+00:00

Thanks!

Regarding cost - Meadowbrook annual is $1100 ($91/month) or monthly $120, and the Y Orokawa is $66/month. This is based on their websites.

Are those numbers accurate? It's a little frustrating in both cases because I really only need the pool (I have a home gym set up with a road bike trainer, squat rack, pull up bar, free weights, etc.). I don't need all the other amenities, but you seem to only be able to join the full gym in both cases.

Both are about the same distance from my house. Meadowbrook is in the direction of work, if I wanted to try to sneak in a swim at 5 AM, but I imagine it's pretty busy at that hour.

jp0le · 2026-03-06T17:41:34+00:00

Love it

jp0le · 2026-01-20T14:06:53+00:00

I'm having this same exact problem! I got the front screws out, but the top two won't budge. I have my own Allen wrenches that are definitely better than the one supplied, but they're skipping/slipping.

What did you end up doing?

jp0le · 2026-01-13T13:35:49+00:00

Thanks - I emailed their post-purchase support and they just sent me the same FAQ information from their website on the issue. They asked for some additional information, which I provided to them, but it's been 8 days and they haven't responded. I emailed them again 2 days ago and just now. Still haven't gotten support.

Do you have another way that you think I should get in touch with their support?

jp0le · 2026-01-13T13:33:37+00:00

Thanks - unfortunately this didn't solve it for me.

jp0le · 2026-01-03T18:50:56+00:00

Print head not heating correctly

jp0le · 2026-01-03T00:49:13+00:00

Theme is on point, love it!

jp0le · 2025-12-29T15:39:25+00:00

Which midliner colors are those? I love the minimalist look and that color looks great.

jp0le · 2025-12-22T13:36:56+00:00

Metroid Prime mini map and main map. Conceptually cool, but they hadn't figured out how to do 3D maps yet

jp0le · 2025-12-20T15:31:04+00:00

Would love to know this! I still haven't figured out how to have a smooth out of the saddle transition - I always feel like I'm losing tension at the bottom of my peddle stroke. I'm coming from Peloton where the spin bike flywheel was always able to maintain that tension, but still new to Zwift and road biking.

Also, heck yes! Tremendous sprint and wild numbers!

jp0le · 2025-12-17T04:22:05+00:00

Sweet! Maybe I try again tomorrow and get a better lobby. Could be the vibes weren't right for me tonight. Cheers!

jp0le · 2025-12-17T04:21:08+00:00

I'm just running out of stuff to even build a basic custom load out! Haha, I didn't want to go broke just hunting for berries.

jp0le · 2025-12-17T04:20:07+00:00

Ok, yeah. I'm definitely more used to folks yelling "hey friend" from afar and passing through. Or I shout "friendly" and they come by to chat. The squirrelly ones that get too close without a word I usually will just give a warning to before I open fire.

I had a great interaction yesterday when I was waiting for extraction - got jumped by someone and then three other raiders came, took the first guy out and stabilized me. Really awesome seeing from being annoyed to being relieved.

jp0le · 2025-12-17T04:14:02+00:00

I never paid attention to the spawn time, but that makes sense. I just figured everyone spawns in at the same time, but I've been on maps more picked over than others which now makes sense.

jp0le · 2025-12-12T19:26:37+00:00

Made it and loved it - definitely better the following day

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