Swimming laps...

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biketm

454 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

May 23, 2007 9:35 PM

Swimming laps...

I will make this short.

I love to cycle....I love to run, but when it comes to swimming laps I hate it.

Tonight I went to the Y after work and got my swim gear on. I sat by my locker and thought about swimming lap after lap after lap and so on. I got my street cloths back on and went home and ran.

Don't get me wrong, I love open water swimming and I can swim 2 miles or more, but the lap thing really has me down. I love triathlons and do well in my age group, and I normally only swim once a week.

When I do lap swim I can easly swim 1 hour which is plenty enough for my sprints tri's and 1/2 IM coming up.

My question is...how do I make swimmimg more enjoyable and not dreaded. It's worse than running on a treadmill or riding a trainer in the winter.

Thanks for reading my rant.

Tim

mbannon

1,814 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. May 23, 2007 9:39 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

http://www.swimman.net/main.html[/URL" target="_blank">

Let me know how it works. I want one.

------------------
Running To My Future
Me[/URL" target="_blank"> and My Log[/URL" target="_blank">
The Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">

Flyin Hawaiian

398 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. May 23, 2007 10:39 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

Get in with a masters class to make it more fun and motivating. The more the merrier you know.

Laurie

------------------
"I could dance with you until the cows come home. On second thought I'd rather dance with the cows until you come home"
Groucho Marx

kristine25

632 posts since
Aug 17, 2007

3. May 23, 2007 11:15 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

Do you just swim or do you have "planned workouts"? Before I had a coach and got interval type stuff going on the pool I too was just plain bored. But having the intervlas helps break it up a little.

If openwater swimming alone was safe I would do that anytime but I just can't so I'm stuck with the pool. Like the IPOD idea. They also have something that fits with goggles too, a smaller mp3 type thing.

ussoccer

1,748 posts since
Dec 11, 2007

4. May 24, 2007 9:21 AM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

I'm going to get all pyschological on you, but follow along, because it works for me...

I hate swimming laps, too. They are boring. I lose focus. Other people in the pool hog lanes and splash about. The list goes on. It would get me down. After a few episodes just like you had, where I pulled into the pool parking lot only to sit there and think about why I shouldn't swim and talked myself right out of swimming, I took a different tact.

Life is what we make of it. So is swimming in a pool. I still struggle with it at times, but I try to not over-think it. I just do it. And when I'm doing it and start to think about things I shouldn't be, such as 'this blows', I stop those thoughts immediately and reset the mental clock by thinking about why I am there in the first place. Then my mind takes over and I slip into a zone. I try to make it a happy place.

And when I think about it more, why do I really not like the pool? I really can't answer that. I mean, doing laps isn't bad.

To help you, make sure you have a workout with you every single time you pull on your goggles and slip into the lane. I'm serious. Then tackle that workout just as you would a track session. If you remained focused and in the moment, and key in on how you perform and how you feel, the time will suddenly fly by.

Choose to make it fun. Play dodge with the parentless, unruly kids splashing about. Try to stare at the incredible hard body in the lane next to you. Calculate your estimated finish time for your next race -- next think about what that time would be if all things went your way and you had the time of your life, then think about worst case, then think about what your ultimate goal would be... see, a bunch of laps just passed.

When it gets you down, stop over-thinking it. Just get in the water, remove expectations, and warm up for the workout you have planned, then, before you can think more, begin that workout.

dragonsrouges

1,068 posts since
Aug 16, 2007

5. May 24, 2007 4:28 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

Swim with a team is pretty much the only way to make sure you are getting a workout in, getting feedback, and improving your technique. It's much easier to get motivated to do it too. You might hate it before you get in the water but once you''re in, you won't really have much choice but to do the workout... Mind games but it works.

pcsronbo006

1,584 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. May 24, 2007 4:38 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

masters workouts rule. I don't like solo laps so much, so my entire summer swimming will be
1. Monday Masters Swim 3000-3500y
2. Wed Open Water swim 2miles

And then maybe a third if there happens to be an open body of water and no cops

biketm

454 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

7. May 24, 2007 9:20 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ussoccer:
I'm going to get all pyschological on you, but follow along, because it works for me...

I hate swimming laps, too. They are boring. I lose focus. Other people in the pool hog lanes and splash about. The list goes on. It would get me down. After a few episodes just like you had, where I pulled into the pool parking lot only to sit there and think about why I shouldn't swim and talked myself right out of swimming, I took a different tact.

Life is what we make of it. So is swimming in a pool. I still struggle with it at times, but I try to not over-think it. I just do it. And when I'm doing it and start to think about things I shouldn't be, such as 'this blows', I stop those thoughts immediately and reset the mental clock by thinking about why I am there in the first place. Then my mind takes over and I slip into a zone. I try to make it a happy place.

And when I think about it more, why do I really not like the pool? I really can't answer that. I mean, doing laps isn't bad.

To help you, make sure you have a workout with you every single time you pull on your goggles and slip into the lane. I'm serious. Then tackle that workout just as you would a track session. If you remained focused and in the moment, and key in on how you perform and how you feel, the time will suddenly fly by.

Choose to make it fun. Play dodge with the parentless, unruly kids splashing about. Try to stare at the incredible hard body in the lane next to you. Calculate your estimated finish time for your next race -- next think about what that time would be if all things went your way and you had the time of your life, then think about worst case, then think about what your ultimate goal would be... see, a bunch of laps just passed.

When it gets you down, stop over-thinking it. Just get in the water, remove expectations, and warm up for the workout you have planned, then, before you can think more, begin that workout.<HR>

Thanks for ALL the replies! During my cycling workout tonight I battled in my head how important the swim leg is, and I need to devote more time to it.

I thought about the winter time when I had to ride my trainer, but REALLY didn't want to. I would tell myself "just ride 30 minutes and you will be done" Well after 30 minutes it would stretch into 45....60....and 90 minutes because I tricked my mind.

One thing about lap swimming is I always think I have to swim an hour or more. I need to change that mentality and mix it up with a warm up and some speed sessions. Heck, if 30 minutes is all I do, that will still get me through a IM.

Yeah, looking at the hard bodies swimming in the other lane is cool....or the very heavy person in the other lane kicking my axx, lol.

Thank you all very much. My 2nd 1/2 IM is about 8 weeks away, so it's time to FOCUS!

The water proof Ipod thing sounds cool...but really pricey.

Tim

Silly Sally087

1,244 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

8. May 25, 2007 12:34 AM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

I guess I'm lucky ... I don't mind swimming laps and sometimes prefer it to running, which is painful for my bunions, every step. I just kinda zone out, interrupted by the occassional thought of "oh my gosh, is this really me swimming?" ... Anyway, I'm so concentrated on technique that I reach the ends of the pools before I realise it. Breathing is automatic and easy, and like when I do a long run ... I would chat with people while swimming like I do when I run but can't do that underwater.

Learn to relax and enjoy it. Easier said than done, I know ... Good luck!

Sally

------------------
"Follow your bliss"
My Ironwoman Inklings[/URL" target="_blank">

Linda Patch

254 posts since
Sep 26, 2007

9. Dec 22, 2007 2:32 AM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

This gets my famous mind over matter speech. This is obviously a mental problem, not a physical one. (Well, not that kind of mental problem

), Change your mind, change your life. Just tell yourself you're not bored. Make yourself believe it. Find associations that are pleasant and focus on those. Retrain your mind from boredom, to freedom, ease, power, glide, and fun in the pool. I had to train myself not to be afraid of open water swimming. I did by by simply telling myself over and over that I wasn't. Mind over matter.

Focus on the big picture of what you want. The pool is just one tool you need to help you get there. (And I would add a useful one at that.)

I find swimming endlessly fascinating. There are a million things to think about or focus on to improve, get faster, more efficient, etc. I think the time flies because I'm always working on one thing or another. I find swimming could be a lifelong zen pursuit--there is no end to being able to improve. Watch a video and then practice what you saw. Try new drills. Join a group. Bring workouts with you. And HAVE FUN!

http://This message has been edited by RunLin (edited May-25-2007).

COcarrie

483 posts since
Oct 15, 2007

10. May 25, 2007 1:10 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

I've always loved swimming and am so happy to be back at it after many years of not swimming. I swam through college and did a few years of Masters competition after college in the 80s. But I was away from swimming for so long I was stressed about getting back to it. Luckily, at the pool where I swim there is a white board with the Master's workout posted, so I've been doing that or some modification of it. (they swim in the early am and I usually hit the pool at night). If there isn't a workout posted, I try to make one up but often get so distracted with thinking about so many things I lose track of where I am! Different than running or biking where you can more easily let your mind wander without losing track of your workout. Sometimes I feel like I could just swim back and forth forever and don't even want to bother counting laps.

Anyhow, I'm impressed by Tim's post about being more comfortable in the open water than a pool. Since my swimming has been in pools pretty much my whole life, I'm pretty freaked about the whole open water thing for my first tri coming up. No extra yardage to be gained on turns, no nice neat lanes... I fully expect to get kicked in the head at the start!

You've all motivated me to find some new workouts and have a better plan when I show up at the pool next time. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out how to ride my bike more effectively, but that's an entirely different post!
Carrie

biketm

454 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

11. May 25, 2007 4:19 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

I guess what bugs me about lap swimming is stopping, turning around, and starting again every 25 seconds or so...I can't do the flip thing without getting water in my nose. Just think if we had to stop and turn all the time while cycling and running. I think that's where I lose my focus and concentration and think about it too much.

That's why open water swimming is awesome....just the open water in front of you with no stopping. It seems like I could swim forever, well not really.

To bad I don't have any body of water I could swim in "legally" They do open our reservoir for open water swimming a few weeks before the 1/2 IM held there.

Anyone ever hear about or compete in the Endurathon in Muncie, In. That's where I live and the whole course is where I train all the time. It's the longest running 1/2 IM in the Country.

Happy training to all.

Tim

Yoshiko007

421 posts since
Nov 16, 2003

12. May 25, 2007 4:51 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

Tim - there are a few people I know including Sanders here who are doing Muncie. I didn't know it was the longest running HIM! Cool, maybe that is what I will do some day.

Speaking of swimming laps. Written workout helps me A LOT. I do swim with a group 1/wk, and I swim by myself 2/wk for 1hr or so. With a written workout with interval, drills, etc, time flies. My favorite main set these days is, 50x8, 100x4, 200x2 pull, 400x1 = that is 1600 right there! With w/u, 2 of the above (put your own interval time like 50's on 1:00 and 100's on 2:00), and c/d you swim 4000 easily and this requires some serious focus. Recruit tri friends to swim with you. Do kick set in the middle which gives you some 'social time' with them.

Good luck finding some peace in a pool. And have fun at Muncie!

biketm

454 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

13. May 25, 2007 8:34 PM

in response to: biketm

Re: Swimming laps...

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Yoshiko:
Tim - there are a few people I know including Sanders here who are doing Muncie. I didn't know it was the longest running HIM! Cool, maybe that is what I will do some day.

Speaking of swimming laps. Written workout helps me A LOT. I do swim with a group 1/wk, and I swim by myself 2/wk for 1hr or so. With a written workout with interval, drills, etc, time flies. My favorite main set these days is, 50x8, 100x4, 200x2 pull, 400x1 = that is 1600 right there! With w/u, 2 of the above (put your own interval time like 50's on 1:00 and 100's on 2:00), and c/d you swim 4000 easily and this requires some serious focus. Recruit tri friends to swim with you. Do kick set in the middle which gives you some 'social time' with them.

Good luck finding some peace in a pool. And have fun at Muncie! <HR>

We had the National Long Course Championships here a few years back...big names and money.

You or anyone else needs a place to bunk, I have room.

The swim at the Endurathon is wonderful...the bike course is awesome, mosty on nice/flat highways that they shut down....the run is a hilly killer (death march they call it) Last year (my 1st 1/2 IM) the run kicked my butt because I didn't run enough hills before hand, and it was in the upper 90's and humid during the run...there were more people walking the run than organizers have ever seen before. And going up to the finish line is the biggest hill, ouch!

I am trying to be more positive about swimming. I have a big 3 day weekend of cycling and running planned. Then I am going to rest my legs and get to the pool 2 or 3 times next week and get over this lap thing. I am a very stubborn person once I set my mind to it...which I think all us Tri nuts are like that.

Thanks,

Tim

May 23, 2007 9:35 PM

Swimming laps...

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