swimmer22 I'm going to just guess that you must know Natalie Coughlin being that your'e in CAL and you mentioned Caitlin Sandeno....Tell us... is Natalie truely as nice as she comes across? And have you seen her swim in person and is she as awesome as ever? I'm sure all the swimmers here would love to know what you know about Natalie. From what I've seen from a distance she's just precious...true? I envy a 1st year swimmer on the Cal team this year from my hometown. Lucky she gets to swim for Mckeever and CAl and have Natalie around from time to time.

well i have never actually met natalie, although i know quite a few people that know her pretty well. there are a few people from my team that are from her club team and they say that she is the nicest person ever. also, one of my coaches use to coach her on her club team. i have not heard one bad thing about her. even though she is insanely fast, she is not cocky or anything at all like most other people in this world that are brilliant in something. i have seen her race a number of times. it is amazing. everything about her in the water is perfect. her technique, under water kick outs, everything. so yes, the rumors are true about her and what you see of her on tv is the real thing. i think she is actually my favorite swimmer to be honest.

SW22. Wow! Thanks for that perspective on Natalie. She is my favorite as well. I was hoping to see her at the Short Course Championships in Indy in Oct. but as you probably know she missed those due to an injury. Now I'm not sure when we'll see her swim again. How lucky that you have seen her swim in person. She just is beautiful to watch because she is so fast AND graceful at the same time. Then when she is interviewed it's so clear how smart she is and just seems like a really wonderful person. I've read where many swimmers and coaches who know her say she is just the "nicest" person. I kind of think she was overlooked a bit in Athens due to all the Phelps hype, although he sure earned it. But I don't think the lack of overwhelming coverage of Natalie bothered her. She seems to have really enjoyed herself and that's what matters. She's a joy to watch and I hope we see more of her before the 2008 games. Thanks again for the reply!

Swimmer22; it's been a long time since anyone's posted here, and now the season is beginning to wind down. Hope yours has been fun and good. Any predicitons for NCAA's? Or Conferences?

we just won the big west confrence this weekend!!! and i am now done with my swimming career. wow it's been 16 years, crazy!

Congrats Swimmer : )

Yes! Kudos to you swimmer! What an accomplishment...

thanks everyone im still on a high from it all, and im not talking about the celebration afterwards.

Congrats Swimmer .. great work for you and your team! One observation: keep up the activity. There are lots of great masters programs out in CA. A break is a great idea, of course -- and a good one -- but if you want to keep yourself front and center at the parties, you'll want to keep in the water as well. ; ) The calories you're accustomed to eating daily are are a lot more difficult to cut back on than they are to keep burning. Good luck with the rest of the school year.

as far as eating and working out goes. ive been doing great and don't feel that ill need to get back in the pool to stay in tip top shape. i mean i dont think brad pitt swims to maintain his bod. im doing more running and wieghts now. im not doing super heavy lifting or anything cause i dont want to get all gym unnatural bulky looking and i want to maintain the long lean cut muscle. im going to run tonight and then try out yoga for the first time. im way excited! and for food, i eat very healthy especially for a college male. no junk food, all natural types of foods with lots of vegatables and fruits. all i need now is the sun to come out to get the tan. look out brad pitt. ha, so joking

Congrats on the big win, swimmer.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the yoga ... I'm definitely want to incorporate that into my routine. My housemate's been doing it with great results. There are all sorts of great ways to stay in shape, but you're right that each way seems to create a different look. I'll take swimmers any day ... well, wrestlers can be nice too. And water polo and rowers. And then, of course, there's lacrosse, baseball and soccer players ... hmmm ... I think I could probably make an easier list with what is less appealing ... : ) No matter what, you have youth on your side, and that works wonders.

I take a Yoga and Pilates once a week and enjoy them both very much. They are a great compliment to my regular work out routine. I highly recommend both

So with the gentle nudging, actually it was more like a constant push, from my old masters team at the "Y" I have started to swim again. I have not really swam in about a year. Sunday, I went about 2.5 km and Monday I went about 3 km. Man I was hurting in the pool last night, but I feel good today.

The Masters Nationals are in May up here, and the coach thinks I can get in shape by then again. LMAO at that. I thought if I put it out on this board, if I want to stop swimming for another year, you guys will berate me into not stopping again.

Rick, are you trying to make the beginner swimmers feel bad? I'm lucky to pound our 1,500 yards, with resting and here you are swimming a 3k.

Aubie, I am sorry I had no intention of amking anyone feel bad...I have swam since High Scool at 13, through College, and tehn Masters...I am now 36 so when I stopped I was 35, so I have swam for 23 years off and on, I am hardly a beginner. My workout was 2 hours long, also, so there was a lot of interval work in there, it wasn't just a straight 3k.

Again, Sorry if I made anyone feel bad.

Rick, I was playing with you. I forgot to put the smarta** emotioncon on there. I started swimming about 3 months ago at the insistance of my running buddy. We're both 40 now and we decided we needed some exercise that didn't involve all of the pounding that running does for us (neither of us is the typical marathon runner's build). He and I were both saying that in our home towns (South Texas for him and South Alabama for me) we didn't really have swim teams. Either that or we were too busy with other sports to notice that had one.

I actually enjoy the swimming, but the frustration of technique is getting to me. I think it is more anxiety than anything else. I've been doing the breathing exercises to breathe every 5 stroke for one lap, then 3, then 7 to teach your body to learn it's ok not to worry about breathing every other stoke. I look over two lanes to the sharks and marvel at the fluidity of their stroke. I don't know if we'll ever do that, but we certainly do enjoy being in the pool.

Whew. I thought Great, I make a post in a swimming thread, and I pissed off people....

Yep keep going on that drill the 3,5,7,9 breathe. Along with learning breathe control, it allows your body to stay streamlined longer, since you are not turning to take a breath. Most people overotate their bodies to tak abreath, and that throws thier stroke off. But I am not here to preach or coach....

I am debating whether to start competing again. 2006 is just around th corner, and although I will not mention names, I will atempt to attend a major sporting event in that year, either in Swimming or Marital Arts, not sure which yet though.

In another thread, Cards_Fan posted

Anyone a swimmer? If so I would like to swap ideas and find ways to improve my work-out.

My ex got me back into it before we broke up and I am still enjoying it. I am basically wondering if anyone has any advice to increase my distance, etc... Basically any tricks or tips?

I know it sounds wimpy right now but I am working on my endurance doing 40 lengths. I want to up it to a mile once I get 40 down. Do you think that is a good idea or should I push harder?

My body is already showing the benefits of hitting the pool.

Cardsfan stated:

"My ex got me back into it before we broke up and I am still enjoying it. I am basically wondering if anyone has any advice to increase my distance, etc... Basically any tricks or tips?

I know it sounds wimpy right now but I am working on my endurance doing 40 lengths. I want to up it to a mile once I get 40 down. Do you think that is a good idea or should I push harder?

My body is already showing the benefits of hitting the pool."

Personally I think you should do whatever pushes you to your limits. Only you can decide if you enjoy that though. I try to swim about 3 miles every other day as part of my exercise program; I also Bike, do free weights, Karate & Tai Chi Chuan, and lead a pretty active lifestyle.

I think I look pretty damn good compared to most guys my age. Having fit, athletic, guys half my age propositioning me is - I freely admit - very good incentive reinforcement.

But I thoroughly ENJOY doing what I do. That is my suggestion to you: Do what you ENJOY!

Especially when you are first getting started, swimming (or any sport for that matter) is always more fun in a group. Check out the Outsports local group listings to see if there is a gay club near you - if not - try to find a Masters swimming program.

http://www.usms.org/

As for increasing your distance - just keep at it, and it will come. If you have an instructor handy wherever you practice - ask them to critique your stroke. Try to take long, powerful strokes - make the actions as smooth as you can. Watch some olympic swimmers sometime if you don't know what I am talking about - there are no short choppy strokes - every movement is smooth and purposeful.

Good Luck

Rob

[ July 07, 2005, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: ITJock ]

I agree with ITJock that by just keeping your swimming up the distance will come, that is how you got to 40 lengths from your first lap right?

Now while it is true that continued pool time will help your endurance, you may want to consider working on your stroke. Swimming is all about efficiency not might. If you choose not to look into coached workouts, then you might want to find some videos or books on the subject.

One place I would reccomend is the site total immersion. Here there are books, videos and even workshops you can attend. The whole premise of the program is to swim long and streamline. That way you take less strokes per length and expend less energy while hopefully maintaining your speed and distance. One way to swim more efficiently is to eliminate drag by decreasing the amount of surface contact with the water. It's much like the difference between moving a barge and a kayak in the water.

There is much more about the science of swimming but I don't want to overwhelm you so just take your time and learn whatever you can to make your swimming more enjoyable.

Good Luck

hey fellow swimmers,

in the past 5 months i have been in the water for a workout probably under 10 times. that is a total new life style for me bc i swam competitively for, well my life. now its all done and im trying something different. i run and do wieghts now. and i didnt really do that many wieghts when i was swimming in college bc i was a distance swimmer so it wasnt as vital as it was for the sprinters. but now that im doing more wieghts, i feel like im bulking up more. its kinda nice, i have a chest i can grab onto now, ha. before with swimming, i swam double workouts a day so when i did do my wieght workouts, my body didnt have time to recover and actaully build up the size of my muscles. but i do feel like i am losing the shoulders. my back is still very strong. my legs havent changed much, probably from the running. if anything else, they are better than they were before. every once in a while i crave for a different workout and that is when i get back in the pool. i feel so stiff to start, but by the end of the workout i feel very lose and it feels great. i miss that most about swimming, the great feeling you have after a workout. the feeling of being more limber but at the same time you feel your body had a good workout, as apposed to when i do wieghts and running, its all very tight. i dunno, just thought id share this and ramble a bit.

Hey swimmer22 WB....haven't seen you post in a while....It appears that you have been keeping well, and dry for that matter.. wink

[ July 08, 2005, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: rickinto ]

I don't recommend just one kind of exercise for anyone.. I think your body needs the variety of physical activities to maintain decent health and fitness. IMHO - Don't give up on swimming though if thats what you enjoy, just mix it more with other types of exercise ass well. the cross training approach will start to show interesting results too.

Again - do it to keep fit - do it because it makes you happy or you enjoy it - whatever. Don't let any one group of exercises become a chore you don't like.

R

Personally, I think swimming is one of those sports, that you eventually have to come back too...Once a swimmer, always a swimmer....hmmm, I wonder if they put addictive chemicals, in the Chlorine. wink

wink Chlorine? you can't really call yourself a good strong swimmer until you can swim a mile in open water

<<Chuckle>>

Boy am I gonna hear about this one!

R

Open water...what with fish, seaweed, and who knows what else???? eek!

Actually, I am comfortable in the pool, but in open water, a fear of drowning comes to the forefront of my mind....give me the comfort of that black line, forget about the cold, murky depths of open water, anyday.....

I'm guessing you swam for Mission Viejo, Nova or Zot then wink

Open water? Nein, danke! Give me a 50m long course outdoor pool any day! :cool:

BTW, Coronado's finally reopens down here on 7-18-05!

LCM? :barf:

I've tried to repress the memories of my coach making me swim at 400IM long course when I was like 12 years old. Worst event ever

No doubt about it: 400m LC IM IS tough! And please don't run the films of my miserable attempts at Butterflail. But when it's done, ooooh, what a feeling! :cool:

speaking of bad swimming memories, i absolutely HATED wed morning workouts my freshmen year of college. we always did 15 x 200 IMs long course meters on a 2.45 base. barf! half way through the year the coach had me do them all backstroke on 2.40. gosh it sucked, but did it help my 200 backstroke...yes. glad thats all done though.

speaking of bad swimming memories, i absolutely HATED wed morning workouts my freshmen year of college. we always did 15 x 200 IMs long course meters on a 2.45 base. barf! half way through the year the coach had me do them all backstroke on 2.40. gosh it sucked, but did it help my 200 backstroke...yes. glad thats all done though.

are any of you guys swimming in IGLA in Atlanta next weekend?
http://www.igla2005.org/

Man you guys are bringing back some memories....

The day after New Years, the workout was always 100 x 100 meters..pace ranged around 1:20 to 1:05 I believe...we were there for hours on NYD.

Another favorite of mine was 4 (4*400) so a total of 16 400's on a pace from 5:10 to 4:50....or in and around that.....

End of March Break Camp...My clubs infamous 4*1500 IM order...You had the whole morning to do it...but you had to do it....no pace time....oh and it was Long Course....

Man, my parents and I paid for that kind of torture...What were we thinking....LOL

[ July 12, 2005, 06:57 AM: Message edited by: rickinto ]

For the Canadian swimming contingency on the board..the Worlds are in Montreal starting this weekend...here is the link to the TV schedule....

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/schedule/

I think my most hated set in HS was 10x200s Free on starting on the 2:45 and descending...with board shorts.

God I hated drag days. :mad:

Hi Swimmer22:
I'm really glad that you opened a swimmer's forum on the OutSports discussion board.

I've been a dedicated "aquaphile" since I was 3 and I acquired a real passion for being in the water. I developed a love swimming and water polo especially with other guys who share my interest. I'm not into the Gay lifestyle, but I have to admit that being in the water with other guys (in those skimpy Speedos) gives me a really good feeling both physically and emotionally. There's something about having your naked body submerged in water that feels so titillating. Even though I am not into hard core Gay stuff, I feel more comfortable talking about my interest in swimming and water polo on a discussion board for Gay sports.

I was on my high school swim team back in the 70's, but unfortunately after I graduated and then went to engineering school, I wasn't able to do much in athletics. However, in the 1990's, I went to Japan on visit to one of their universities and I experienced the communal baths (where you go in the hot tub completely naked) in the dormitory where I was staying. The baths re-ignited my passion for water sports and I've been trying to connect with other guys who share my interest.

Right now, I'm on the Tsunami swim and water polo team (a Gay & Lesbian group) in the San Francisco area and it provides me with the opportunity to meet other guys who love being in the water. Swimming is also a really great body building exercise and it gives you a comprehensive work out. It's also a good solo sport and I do my best thinking while swimming laps. And there's nothing more healthily erotic than having a well developed swimmer's body.

Even when I'm not able to go to the pool, I enjoy taking long baths in my Japanese soaking tub (the type where you can sit submerged up to your neck like you're in a hot tub) and the deep water pressure on my tummy enables me to perform breathing exercises that strengthen my abdominal muscles.

Anyway, I'm glad to know that there are others out there who are into swimming and water polo and I would be glad to hear from you (whether you are Gay or straight) who share in my interest.

Best regards-

The California Dolphin
San Francisco

Remember this is a gay sports page..That "Drag Day" comment, can have a whole different meaning on this board...

I really should kick my ass back into the pool.....

Pleased to report that I did that on Monday in Rehoboth Beach, Del. First time doing open-water freestyle for that distance. And no nasty panic attacks!

Hi Rick
I know what you mean.

I hadn't been back into the pool since the late 1970's. However, after getting the feel of the water while soaking in a hot tub in the 90's, I was compelled to head back to the pool.

It's an addiction I love to have.

Cheers :cool:

My hair and skin, smell like chlorine, my speedo, is constantly hanging up to dry in my bathroom. I have been in the pool three times this week since Saturday.

I guess between reading the posts here, the FINA World Championships, and the World Master games, the swimmer in me, has started to come out AGAIN! Oh and I cannot forget, that IGLA is also going on...Man there is a lot of swimming going on this week, eh?

[ July 21, 2005, 06:49 AM: Message edited by: rickinto ]

Good luck to all the IGLA athletes in Atlanta this week! GO FIGHT SWIM!

Hello swimmers:

I've recently started swimming for exercise. I'm finding that 4-6 laps (6 is really a lot for me) in a 50m pool just about does me in, and that's with stopping at the ends. In fact the next morning I'm weary as well. Yes, I admit I suck, but is this normal, and if so, how long does it take to built up stamina? I'm 43 and am in reasonably good shape (martial arts.)

I do better with (calm) ocean swimming. (thank you salt water, but can't stay in the cold water that long (70 F ish)

Advice?

Chuck, STICK WITH IT, BRO! I was in a serious bike accident 10 years ago when I was 43 and bedridden for about 1 month and GREATLY impaired for 5 more after that. Prior to then, I'd swam in HS, college and Masters, but was only decent, not great. When I finally got back into the water, it took me a while to work back up to my 1-2K usual workout, but over the space of 5-6 weeks I did. Don't swim every day, swim every OTHER day to give the muscles a chance to rebuild and adapt. Good luck to you up there in that beautiful city of yours!

Okay so I diluted my Shakers vodka with ice...my brain is swimming...

Salt water is easier to swim in. First because there is no chlorine wearing your immune system down. It is also a denser medium than your average pool. So you float easier. Salt water is naturally antibacterial.

I remember competing and having to get out of a salt water pool. I was getting really bad chest pains. It wasn't the salt but rather the cold water temperature. The cold causes your peripheral vessel to contract to preserve core body temperature. This increases blood pressure drastically. Your heart has to work harder to push the blood. It has a really bad effect on your respiratory system also. I deal with ischema? a lot when winter biking in the deep freeze of Minnesota.

What counters the "significant shrinkage" is adrenalin. Forgive any botched bio-chemistry learned on the fly, but I believe the adrenalin dialates the blood vessels. What will help tremendously with age slowed adrenal response is cutting out stimulants. Stimulants atrophy your innate adrenal response. Coffee has vaso-restricting effect on parts of your body as well. You will also need adequate rest and protein. If I am not mistaken adrenalin is made out of base proteins. In order to balance your hormones that are responsible for the whole process, I would recommend a herbal supplement of adaptogens. The best on the market for said use is not ginseng. However a ginseng relative, Rhodiola rosea, rocks. It is really good for your little swimmers also. Which you will find out the HARD way.. wink
When your body has a response to cold, your adrenal system will respond and kick in the increased heart rate, vaso-dialation and so forth.

I always had a terrible kick.

Edited for slurred spelling when found

[ July 22, 2005, 07:19 PM: Message edited by: Erik G ]

Wow Chuck, we have to stop ,meeting on threads like this, people will start to talk. LOL

Anyways, kudos to you for starting the swim regime up, and in a long course pool, no less.

I agree with GMG....don't swim every day, until your endurance increases. I would suggest that once your stamina increases, you look up some beginners workouts on the web, then modify it with your skill level. Swimming laps is great, but doing a swim workout, with intervals and built in rest periods, will do wonders for a swimmer. Do not forget that a body adapts to workouts, so interval type training will "shock" your body. But like I said that is after building up some stamina, which for you, as a MA should take no time at all.

Another thing I suggest is ask another swimmer to watch your stroke technique, or on not so busy days, maybe a lifeguard or swim instructor!

If you are really interested there is a gay Swim team in your city...go to www.igla.org and look up teams and contacts, and find the "English Bay" swim link. GThey may be able to point you in the right direction to improve your swimming, and hey who knows, you may join, and go to Montreal and compete afterall only it will be in the pool, not on the mats.

[ July 29, 2005, 04:01 AM: Message edited by: rickinto ]

Getting back into the swing of things, averaging out to about 3 km a workout, 4-5 times a week....

Anyone ever have an anxiety attack DURING a race? I had one 1.5 years ago during 400 meter race, and then again yesterday during training, again, during a 400 I had another one....just real shortness of breath....so much that I stopped..I know I should have swam through it, but I stopped. I let the anxiety/panic get to me. After the workout though, I HAD to do another timed 400, and I did a time that would rank me in Canada for my age group. However I am now anxious that the same thing will happen to me during my next race. Any tips on how to deal with this if it does happen?

I swam for 5 years as an age grouper and college swimmer never had one. But as a masters, I am getting them.

No anxiety attacks pre-, during or post-race, but I do have a question about goggles. What is the best way to hold your head when entering the water from the starting block to avoid having them knocked off by the impact? What should you focus?