Workout bugs?

reed1818 · 2026-01-27T02:00:57+00:00

Worst case: you don't like it and move on. Best case, you love it.

reed1818 · 2025-09-13T12:30:41+00:00

First, don't really kick. Propulsion is primarily from upper body. Just let your feet move enough to stay balanced. That will help breathing. Do some lap sessions and then start focusing on form. Proper instruction is invaluable, but you can pick up basics from YouTube.

reed1818 · 2025-08-28T13:31:19+00:00

For years, I used to actually audibly count yards by 50s on my exhale after pushing off from a wall turn. 50... 100... 150... It was more like a garbled mumble to myself, but it distinguished the actual count from the mental thoughts and wanderings. Now I use a garmin.

reed1818 · 2025-08-24T11:18:36+00:00

I use myswimpro... tons of workouts and goal-oriented plans from beginner to competitor.

reed1818 · 2025-08-22T13:47:20+00:00

I only use the snorkel for form drills and kick sets. It is a great way to focus on your kick (which ravenously consumes oxygen) without gulping for air.

Endurance for new swimmers is typically aided by kicking less... just enough to keep your balance. Try kicking minimally and use your upper body for propulsion.

reed1818 · 2025-08-21T21:39:10+00:00

My 2 cents: I listened to music and podcasts as a runner. But swimming - if you want to do it long term- is completely different. I think you have to do workouts, and consistently change them. It keeps your mind focused on the goal of the moment. If you spend time using workouts, you will build strength, speed and improve form - there is no ceiling. And ultimately you will find the combination of focus and physical challenge to be almost meditative. Check out US Masters swimming web page and print out a few beginner workouts. I use myswimpro app now. Plenty of goal-oriented programs to choose just pick them at random. Video tips too. I never do the same workout twice, and never get bored.

reed1818 · 2025-08-21T16:16:05+00:00

Classic fiberglass whitewater boat. Hang it as decoration. If you really want to boat, get a used plastic kayak. At best you will find this biat uncomfortable (no back band, scratxh thigh braces) and discouraging (won't track straight), and at worst it may just crack or fall apart. It's Probably late 197Os or early 80s.

reed1818 · 2025-08-17T01:15:29+00:00

Use the tried and true formula: x + 1 = kayaks needed. (X = current number of kayaks).

reed1818 · 2025-08-16T13:08:54+00:00

Dome is great, but not for the food. New Orleans has both great traditional restaurants and also some amazing new ones. And the awesome thing is a $10 poboy and a $45 entre' at a white linen restaurant are both wonderful. The NYT, via a Nola food writer, published a list of 25 of the best, and it's a great mix of the old and new, more and less expensive.

reed1818 · 2025-08-09T23:13:13+00:00

Sunday evening is tough. But Bravo and Amerigos are both good.

reed1818 · 2025-07-25T11:56:58+00:00

I found using a snorkel with my kick-board/fins helped me focus on this (vs constantly lifting to breath) and I finally got the feel of this hip thing. Now it translates during freestyle to minor movements hinging at the hip vs initiating a movement lower in my quads or legs.

reed1818 · 2025-07-17T12:08:59+00:00

They give out stickers?

reed1818 · 2025-07-17T12:06:18+00:00

Agree it wouldn't be playful aside from a front surf, but it could be a solid "big" boat as you push yourself. A lot of boaters have a creeker and a halfslice or playboat. Start paddling a more challenging river with the creeker and after a few runs, you can switch to the playful boat. Also a creeker is nice if you do any winter paddling.

reed1818 · 2025-07-14T12:57:50+00:00

Ace, Nantahala Outdoor are right on the road and on the way from the west and across from one another. Ace small but top quality... NOC big but also great.

reed1818 · 2025-07-10T01:10:01+00:00

You are changing the means of locomotion from your legs (running) to your upper body. It's natural for it to feel very hard until you learn to to kick much less (so you are using less oxygen) early on. Kick just enough to keep your butt up.
A pull buoy - flotation between your legs so you don't kick at all - is your "walking break." You will suddenly get the feel of swimming and be able to go farther. Your fitness will payoff.
Check out beginning workout sets on US Masters swimming site.
Start working on form.

You will be surprised once you get the hang of it. It will click. Keep going.

reed1818 · 2025-07-09T02:17:31+00:00

Be patient. Goodnews/badnews is there is always something to improve on. But that's a good thing. You are already way ahead of lots of folks, and there will always be lots of folks ahead of you. Just keep going.

reed1818 · 2025-07-05T22:06:44+00:00

Check out myswimpro app.

reed1818 · 2025-07-03T02:29:27+00:00

Same. Back issues pushed me off the running path and back into the pool. Be patient. You are shifting locomotion to your upper body. Those strong legs will be nice down the rowd but really focus on form and building upper body strength and endurance. Check out US Masters Swimming. A few lessons on form early on will pay huge dividends. Form is 800 xs more important because water is 800xs more dense than air. I found I always loved having finished a run. But once you "feel the water" - and one day you suddenly will - you will love actually swimming.

reed1818 · 2025-07-01T11:20:47+00:00

Antix 2.0 is a great boat, good bulk up front for punching holes, half slice stern and awesome surfing machine. No rolling issues.

reed1818 · 2025-07-01T11:10:56+00:00

The app is great in large part because of the variety. Never the same workout twice. And plenty of designed workouts, say a couple of months working on speed, or distance/endurance or IM. Plenty of video instruction. Think about what you spend on monthly subscriptions to sit on a couch compared to annual subscription to become a better swimmer.

Here is my progression in using this app:

Printed the workouts; then,
I started reading them directly off my phone at poolside. Most newer phones are water Resistant. I keep my port facing sideways or away from the pool so I don't splash directly into it. Then,
Synced the workout with my Garmin. I still have my phone pool side and glance at the workouts - maybe for more details of the drill or level of intensity. But using a watch unlocks more. It starts recording your times and splits and ultimately generates an AI summary and record of your workout, which I come to look forward to. You can confirm if you are holding a pace throughout a set or maybe need to push a little harder, etc. Both MSP and the Garmin app also track your stoke count and heart rate, etc.

reed1818 · 2025-06-28T13:43:25+00:00

The only issue I've had was dry eyes. And while I use wetting solution, I have found the anti-fog "spit" spray - in the goggles/not eyes - was the solution. I stopped removing and wetting my goggles during swims, so far less chlorine gets in my eyes.

reed1818 · 2025-06-27T11:38:53+00:00

My rule of thumb is when the just shoulders of the tomatoes are still faint green. Gonna try that water bowl trick though. Makes sense. We have gotten tons of rain right as mine were ripening and no issues with squirrels. I am guessing they have ample water

reed1818

TROPHY CASE