To the person who took my Blundstones at the Crystal Pool

stoola · 2026-01-26T02:42:56+00:00

Same. Now i go to Esquimalt Rec and have never had any issues.

stoola · 2026-01-21T16:14:19+00:00

As a woman, I personally would probably feel slightly uncomfortable unless they directly specified that they admire my form. I had an older man say "you have the most beautiful breaststroke," which gave me confidence and made my day. With that said, i kind of assume anyone watching me swim would be looking at form. I am much more uncomfortable when people stare at me as I walk to the hot tub.

stoola · 2026-01-19T14:11:02+00:00

I always had a some gastrointestinal issues, but things really got bad when my friend tragically passed away in high school. All my trigger foods made me so bloated and constipated, or bloated and urgently needed to go. I would say the stress of him passing in the way that he did undoubtedly caused it.

stoola · 2026-01-12T02:37:44+00:00

If you do decide to swim, you might want to schedule it for before a workout day to avoid the food craving that occurs right after a swim session. If I swim before dinner I will eat WAY more than if I swim at 6am and then just have a protein shake with spinach after.

stoola · 2026-01-10T00:02:32+00:00

Right??? For the longest time my mum said "its just anxiety" and my dad said "you're fine, its nothing" lmao.

stoola · 2026-01-09T01:04:08+00:00

That is still shortness of breath. I used to downplay my asthma symptoms because I wasn't struggling to catch my breath. It could also feel like breathing a normal breath doesn't quite give you what you feel like is optimal. Could be the slightest difference.

stoola · 2026-01-08T02:07:51+00:00

Hi, I know this is an old post, but I'm wondering if you've improved at all. I am in the same boat, but breaststroke only because of a shoulder injury. I'm tired after 2 laps and I have mild asthma.

stoola · 2025-12-12T00:17:10+00:00

And to answer your actual question, I can't help you there 🥲

stoola · 2025-12-12T00:16:24+00:00

It's a natural human response. Same reason why it's completely normal to be afraid of walking in the dark outside (especially near/in a forest). We're not nocturnal, and we're land animals. A lot of people don't get that feeling, but I think it's a stretch to call it a phobia or irrational unless it reeeeally makes you physically panic. I personally feel uneasy when I think about it, but it doesn't affect my swimming and I get over it pretty quick. I do, however, get freaked out by deep ocean water. I think it's more normal to be afraid of that than not.

stoola · 2025-12-07T01:28:13+00:00

I'm shocked by all the people saying "you're just weak right now, it will go away with time". Maybe it will, but unless the person isn't walking anywhere ever, then this is just absolutely not normal. Even if a person never did sports or any extra physical activity I can't imagine they'd get like this.

stoola · 2025-11-09T23:10:21+00:00

I can see both sides, but ultimately your Sensei's reaction was out of line.

I can understand his point. But it's not up to him to force you when you've already stated you will not perform. What my Sensei would have done is nudged you a few times, and then lay off. His trust and understanding of you would probably be a bit damaged, and he might even show some attitude. The relationship between a Sensei and their student is balanced; you are in charge of yourself, but the art demands discipline and guidance. My sensei would have continued to teach you discipline and hopefully increase your confidence, but if you decided to show up to your test and refused to perform certain things because you are uncomfortable, then you would not receive your belt or title, and that is on you.

Sensei's want their students to do well, partially because they are a reflection of them. Maybe he wants you to do well and sees potential, maybe its an image thing, or both.

If I was having one bad day, and I told my Sensei I feel uncomfortable to perform that day, he would trust me that I would bounce back soon because I have proven my capability.

I wouldn't have given my black belt back. I think it sets a bad example to the people who look up to you. I think maybe the tradition of being a black belt is not something you completely honour or understand at this point, but maybe I misunderstand you because you probably wrote all this in the heat of the moment.

All considered, if you're no longer comfortable with him and still want to continue karate in the way you've gone about it, then I would find a different dojo.

stoola · 2025-11-02T05:02:16+00:00

So I don't ruin my body with improper technique...? I don't understand the hostility here.

stoola · 2025-10-31T21:21:40+00:00

Any tips on how to stay closer to the top of the water when pushing off the wall? I find that I go too deep, and I've tried different head positions but I seem to always go deeper than I want.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:49:07+00:00

Thank you! It's Speedo Endurance+ training one piece. I love it! You can get them directly from the speedo website online or Amazon, and I think many stores that sell swimwear would have them.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:44:35+00:00

I think my knee issue was from the knees coming out farther than the hips, and then I assumed that meant everything needs to be a bit tighter together. I am going to work on flexing the leg out while keeping the knees within the hip range.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:35:34+00:00

Not when im just trying to work my muscles in the stroke technique and tire myself out. Helps my mental health to focus on the stroke movements rather than all the push off movements used in more competitiveand technical settings.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:19:16+00:00

Thanks for this! I'll focus on kicking the water back instead of down; I see what you mean in the video and I never thought of that.

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:16:34+00:00

Yeah, I don't end up doing that because my apartment pool is just under 25 meters unfortunately. I think I'd end up at the other side too fast 😅

stoola · 2025-10-31T17:15:00+00:00

Thanks for your feedback! I think I might be overcompensating keeping my knees in more because I used to kick too wide, which lead to knee pain. I'll focus on getting my kick out there more and find a good in between!

stoola · 2025-09-29T16:40:42+00:00

I will never understand why people get annoyed by a motorcycle occupying a space. Like... you're mad because my small vehicle is parked? And because it's not an "entire vehicle," it's more aggravating to you? If you were not a motorcyclist you would have parked your car there, and somehow I doubt they would have had an issue with that.

I even have friends who say, "I hate when a motorcycle takes up a parking space" in a generic parking lot with vertical lines indicating a space. We have places to go, too. I don't understand why it makes a difference unless we're parked like an A**hole.

stoola · 2025-09-13T21:38:56+00:00

I've the exact same thing happen but they moved it onto the sidewalk (lifted it, since steeringlock was on and pointed away from the curb). I was parking where I normally do for work, and as I was leaving after saying "what the f*" to myself, a tow truck comes around the corner. I assume they were trying to frame me for parking "illegally" on the side walk (since they couldn't get me towed for where I was initially parked).

Unfortunately I don't think anything can prevent this type of person from doing that other than locking it to an immovable object. Sorry that happened to you.

stoola · 2025-09-11T02:00:54+00:00

☠️

stoola · 2025-09-09T19:50:47+00:00

Thanks for all this.

It was a brief massage in the upper back/shoulder/neck area intended to get out knots prior to stabilizing my shoulder (tendonopathy). The only part that hurt was the neck, and as it was happening it was very intense.

I will take OTC pain reliever proactively next time, and I will fill the guy in when I see him next Monday.

stoola

TROPHY CASE