wind, currents
Starting swimming, any advice?
- Thread starter Scam
- Start date
wind, currents
Soldato
Makes sense, but less of a problem in a still lake I'd expect. So if there's no current and no wind, is open water swimming still slower?? I'm really hoping it isn't! 
Soldato
Even in perfect conditions in Open Water navigation might slow you down, plus you don't get speedy tumble turns to benefit from. Can't comment on the effect a wet suit has as I don't use one, but I wouldn't expect to swim faster in a lake than I can in a pool.
Associate
Not too sure why but my pace has dropped off a bit over the last few months and it's been harder work than normal. Anyway, the last couple of sessions have been easier and pace seems quicker so feeling a bit relieved. I was starting to think that maybe losing some weight was affecting buoyancy and increasing drag through the water.
Rob.75, I know this is a swimming thread but the details of the cycling logged on your garmin look insane!
Rob.75, I know this is a swimming thread but the details of the cycling logged on your garmin look insane!
Soldato
Well I do like a good long ride out. Been stepping up the cycling of late too since I can't run at the moment.
Associate
Well I do like a good long ride out. Been stepping up the cycling of late too since I can't run at the moment.
I'd say over 170km for the weekend was a bit more than "a good long ride out"
Associate
First 3km (I miscounted as usual lol...) swim for a while in prep for my 5km swimathon, was quicker than expected, I'd very much like to be able to maintain the pace for the full 5km come march.
Well done
If it's any help, I do roughly 2 mile swims (when pool time allows) and once over Christmas tried keeping going to reach the 5km. I didn't hit any 'brick walls', so if you can get comfortable doing 3km regularly then I reckon you should be OK as long as you don't start out too fast.What swim watch have you got out of interest?
Boredom is the main issue I have with it if I am honest, I've done 5km a couple of times now, the first time I did have an issue with cramp at around the 4.5km distance point but that didn't seem to be an issue in the later swim and you are definitely right about the not starting too fast, it's a very conscious effort to just take it easy rather than settling into a pace just shy of breathing issues.
I should really learn how to tumble turn too, I am sure my times would come down a fair bit if I could do them.
I use the swimtag system which my pool offers free of charge to members: https://www.swimtag.net/
I should really learn how to tumble turn too, I am sure my times would come down a fair bit if I could do them.
I use the swimtag system which my pool offers free of charge to members: https://www.swimtag.net/
Associate
Ah, sorry, I missed the "for a while" bit. For the swimathon itself I'm hoping that the lane I end up in isn't too busy or with much faster or slower swimmers than me - feeling 'chased' or having to swim slower than normal wouldn't be so much fun. Sponsorship amount is higher than I thought it would be at this point too
Ditto!
Thanks, hadn't seen that before.I use the swimtag system which my pool offers free of charge to members: https://www.swimtag.net/
That is a definite concern for me too, I've no idea how the thing runs, does somebody count lengths for you or are you expected to count your own?
Sponsorship amount is higher than I thought it would be at this point too
I've not really done much pushing on that yet, I really need to get going to get some sponsors
Associate
It will be my first time too but I assume that everyone is allocated a lane best matching their speed, and that the swim caps we're given have a number on to help whoever is counting the lengths.
Consigliere
Question...i am going to start swimming however it'll have to be in the evening due to work so around 8-10pm or so.
What shall i do with regards to eating? I think the rule is a healthy meal at least 30mins before swimming? What about after? Or simply eat my main meal after?
What shall i do with regards to eating? I think the rule is a healthy meal at least 30mins before swimming? What about after? Or simply eat my main meal after?
Man of Honour
I think lots of sites will say eat this before or eat this after... I think it's a load of tosh though. Are you trying to lose weight or just fitness ?
It's pretty much a fact that after swimming you will get the munchies big time...
I'm swimming approx 2 miles 5 times a week, as soon as I'm out I hit the water.. and drink about 2 1/2 pints before moving onto a small pot of porridge for breakfast. Then just eat healthy for rest of day and drink a few more pints (<less calories than I burnt swimming) followed by a normal evening meal.
I've managed to get almost 2 stones loss in 3-4 months without any massive diet changes and still eating like a pig from Friday to Sunday
I've never tried eating close to a large meal though, I'm guessing try to eat as far away before your swim, and after drink a ton of water to supress urge to snack
I'm sure someone here will have better options though
This week I've just started doing some light weight training in afternoon to build up strength on over lean / long muscles... this fitness malarkey is so confusing hah
It's pretty much a fact that after swimming you will get the munchies big time...
I'm swimming approx 2 miles 5 times a week, as soon as I'm out I hit the water.. and drink about 2 1/2 pints before moving onto a small pot of porridge for breakfast. Then just eat healthy for rest of day and drink a few more pints (<less calories than I burnt swimming) followed by a normal evening meal.
I've managed to get almost 2 stones loss in 3-4 months without any massive diet changes and still eating like a pig from Friday to Sunday
I've never tried eating close to a large meal though, I'm guessing try to eat as far away before your swim, and after drink a ton of water to supress urge to snack
I'm sure someone here will have better options though
This week I've just started doing some light weight training in afternoon to build up strength on over lean / long muscles... this fitness malarkey is so confusing hah
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Associate
Agree with Flukester really. I don't think there are really any hard and fast rules either - if you eat too much just before a swim then it won't feel comfortable and you'll know to eat less or earlier next time. On days where I swim in the evening, I tend to have a smaller meal a couple of hours before the swim, and then snack afterwards if temptation is too strong.
You might be interested in a recent TV programme suggesting that men burn slightly more fat if they exercise before eating, and women burn slightly more if they exercise afterwards link.
Probably most important though is to keep hydrated - it's surprising how much sweat you can lose swimming (and a bit disturbing thinking how much of the pool water is actually sweat)
You might be interested in a recent TV programme suggesting that men burn slightly more fat if they exercise before eating, and women burn slightly more if they exercise afterwards link.
Probably most important though is to keep hydrated - it's surprising how much sweat you can lose swimming (and a bit disturbing thinking how much of the pool water is actually sweat
)
Consigliere
It's just fitness really. Bit of a belly i'd like to tone though also.
Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the advice.
I don't think eating only 30mins before a swim is a good idea. I swim on my lunch break and tend to eat a light-ish lunch as close to midday as possible, then I generally swim at 2.30pm when the pool is quieter. That said, I often still feel a bit full come 2.30pm, but everybody is different. I thought the recommended gap was at least 2hrs anyway.. ?
Oh, so I'm back on swim watches. What's a good one for <£100 ? Girlfriend wants ideas for my birthday present. Beyond it being able to count laps/km in the pool I'm not hugely bothered by any other features. I certainly wouldn't bother plugging it into my computer every day etc. Any ideas?
Oh, so I'm back on swim watches. What's a good one for <£100 ? Girlfriend wants ideas for my birthday present. Beyond it being able to count laps/km in the pool I'm not hugely bothered by any other features. I certainly wouldn't bother plugging it into my computer every day etc. Any ideas?
Man of Honour
Wonko and myself are using Garmin Swim Worldwide watches. They do work really well (though will only work in a pool and not openwater as they have no GPS)
When you get back from swim as soon as you are near PC it syncs over Ant+ dongle and uploads to Garmin Connect.
It's great to see how you are improving over time....and also not having to count makes the swim much less stressful. Gives loads of stats and cals burnt. Here is my swim from yesterday for example... and from stats I can see it was a REALLY BAD one. I also add comments on reason I failed etc...
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1029696314
A lot of the swimmers at the pool I use have gone for Swimovate ones... but the Garmin looks a ton better
When you get back from swim as soon as you are near PC it syncs over Ant+ dongle and uploads to Garmin Connect.
It's great to see how you are improving over time....and also not having to count makes the swim much less stressful. Gives loads of stats and cals burnt. Here is my swim from yesterday for example... and from stats I can see it was a REALLY BAD one
. I also add comments on reason I failed etc...https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1029696314
A lot of the swimmers at the pool I use have gone for Swimovate ones... but the Garmin looks a ton better
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Do what ever feels right and comfortable.
However, its almost certain if you eat something heavy right before you jump in you will feel sick, same goes for any exercise. Persoanlly I would have some light and mostly very digestible carbs about 45 minutes before hand - a slice of bread with honey or a banana etc. Something to top up your blood glucose to sustain exercise.
Eating afterwards is not that critical. the reason people try to eat or have protein shakes etc. soon after exercise is it speeds up recovery, but the end outcome is the same. That i, if you do a had workout and then the next day you also do a hard-workout you have 24 hours to get glycogen supplies restocked and to repair muscle damage, if you don't eat anything substantial for 8-12 hours then you have cut down the time you have to recover significantly. If you don't plan to do exercise the next day then its fairly irrelevant.
The fastest way to recovery is a good amount of carbohydrates and a small amount of protein along with lots of water. Caffeine has also been shown to increase recovery rates.
I got back in the pool for the first time in nearly 2 months. Got the flu, then vacation, then business travel, then concentrating on running but I needed a recovery day. managed 90 25yd length in 1H:9M:50S. A little slower than last time round, and pathetically slow in the scheme of things but technically just fast enough for a half-iron man!
Lost some confidence but was generally OK. Got a bad cramp when kicking off from the wall which was unnerving. Then felt dizzy and nauseous when getting out.
Lost some confidence but was generally OK. Got a bad cramp when kicking off from the wall which was unnerving. Then felt dizzy and nauseous when getting out.