I swam laps for the first time this morning!

General Forum
1

I forgot my shower shoes.

My form sucked.

I had to switch to backstroke because I couldn’t get enough air in front crawl or breaststroke.

I was so self-conscious of not crowding the other lady in my lane I kept crashing into the wall.

I lost track of my laps and was so ashamed at how little I’d done I went out to my car and cried.

And you know what?

I’ve been feeling so much happier the rest of the day and can’t wait to swim again tomorrow.

Even though my first session was objectively terrible, it’s already been a positive addition to my life, and I’m sure it’ll only get better from here.

I’m so glad this is part of my life now.

2

Here’s what I got from your post:

You’ve learned a bit more about the tools you’ll need for swimming.

You adapted your workout to meet your own needs.

You were very considerate of other people in the pool.

You did amazing! Well done!

3

@Hadden
I love this comment so much. I really need to reframe my thinking. Your words are so positive.

OP, I’m so excited for you. Swimming is a really cool thing to have in your life. Keep it up!

4

@Hadden
You’re seeing all the wins that matter. Nice!

5

Congrats man keep it up!

6

You are your own worst critic. I used to be overly self-aware at the gym etc., worrying about people watching me work out and what they would think, and finally one day I realized two things: 1- probably nobody is watching or noticing me 2- if they are, I don’t really care, because what matters is that I’m at the gym doing the work and not at home in bed or on the couch. It was very liberating.
Enjoy your swim tomorrow!!

7

Fabulous! And a swim is a swim–no shame.

8

Just. Keep. Swimming.

9

Give it a few more times, my first time was similar to yours. If you go early enough you can probably get a lane to yourself.

10

I love everything about this post! Welcome to the club and way to be brave.

11

Been going a couple of months and was the same at the start. Like others said, gets better. And like my doctor said years ago - any workout beats no workout.

12

Valentine said:
Been going a couple of months and was the same at the start. Like others said, gets better. And like my doctor said years ago - any workout beats no workout.

Simple yet very, very true.

13

All swim no shame :swimming_woman:

14

Keep it up!

I recently started swimming and on my first trip to the pool I only managed to complete 300 metres.
10 weeks down the track my longest is 2,500 and my elapsed pace yesterday (including breaks) was 2 minutes 50 seconds per 100m.

Keep it up, don’t get disheartened and before you know it, you’ll be swimming like a fish!

15

Try swimming with a snorkel so that you can concentrate on swimming and still get the air you need to be comfortable. I swam 2.6 miles with my snorkel today…and I am 82 y.o.

16

When you feel like you are getting to the end of the lane stretch one arm out to feel the wall when it comes up. My pool has flags to signify that the lane will end soon.

17

Gabi said:
When you feel like you are getting to the end of the lane stretch one arm out to feel the wall when it comes up. My pool has flags to signify that the lane will end soon.

Oh, I meant the side wall! Maybe crashing isn’t the best word…like, my arm on the wall side would get crowded out by the wall and I couldn’t do the underwater part of the backstroke properly. Part of the problem is that I just have a broad frame so staying on my side is harder.

18

@Ridge
As a competitive swimmer who swims backstroke, I sympathize. I constantly am scraping my fingers and hand on the wall :joy: sometimes even my whole side. You definitely aren’t alone in that!

19

@Ridge
To be fair, swimming backstroke in a straight line is difficult at first. When you get good technique it gets easier, but even experienced swimmers swim into the side sometimes.

20

Congratulations! Keep up the good work.