Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Wednesday Workout Update - My Pool

 click on the picture to see it better

This is the indoor pool where I swim.  You will find me here every weekday morning around 8:00 a.m.  It's a big pool and usually not too crowded, which is nice.  I don't like to share my lane.  And that's not just because I am a firstborn and don't share well - it's also that I'm a crooked swimmer and it's all I can do to not bounce from one side of the lane to the other (good thing those floating lane lines are there).  I don't need to be trying to dodge another body as well, lol!

Anyway, usually when I arrive, my pool buddy Nancy is finishing her workout and we can do a few laps of kick board in adjacent lanes - it's nice to get a little chitchat in before I get down to business.  But after that, I seal my swim cap over my ears, put on my goggles, and go to town.  And it's funny - every day I get going with my back stroke (20 lengths, which is 10 laps, as my pool buddy Linda told me on Monday) and thoughts of "this isn't hard, it's not working anymore, the fins are making it too easy, I should be doing more laps" swirl through my head.  Then, I move on to my 10 length kick board break.  Then I remove the fins and start the side stroke.  Oh.  This is hard.  I get winded, still, partway through that one.  OK.  It's working.  Whew!  My routine:

10 lengths kick board          10 lengths kick board
20 lengths back stroke        20 lengths jogging
10 lengths kick board          10 lengths kick board
20 lengths side stroke       
(Zoomer fins used for everything except side stroke and jogging)

I used to do the side stroke first, but the swim team starts their practice between 8:15 and 8:30, and I didn't like having waves of water crashing over my face as I did the back stroke - those kids can really churn up the water!  Especially if the two teenage boys are in the lane right next to me - I thought all of the kids on the swim team swam in the same aggressive, splashy manner, but a couple of times the teenage girls have been next to me and I was amazed at how much more "quietly" (for want of a better word) they swam.  Of course, me being the mom of two boys, a large amount of splashiness is nothing new to me. 

Around 9:00 a.m., the gray panthers start to get in the water for their water aerobics class.  By this time, I'm either doing kick board, or jogging.  Lots of eye contact and smiles exchanged.  Swimming is not really a social workout, and that's ok with me - I'm in the pool for about an hour and a half - no need to extend it much longer!  But, I'm surprised at how much I'm actually enjoying it and I'm looking forward to seeing continued changes in my body.  My goal for June has been to swim every single weekday, and so far, I'm on track to make it.  I haven't achieved the true sign of a swimmer though - my hair hasn't turned green.  Yet.

27 comments:

  1. Shelley you are doing so well in the pool!! That's fantastic. Hopefully time off your foot will help it to heal. All the splashing around you and Stacia have been doing inspired me to get wet today. I've a long way to go to keep up with you... :) Looking forward to seeing some green hair.

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  2. What a beautiful indoor pool! I love there's windows and not brick walls. You've inspired me to do some water workouts, too. I no longer sit on the edge of the pool while my kiddos swim. I get in the water and walk the perimeter of the pool.

    When the boys start splashing you while swimming, yell at them they are getting you wet. *GRIN*

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  3. This was just like being there with you! Keep talking about your swimming. Pretty soon its gonna rub off and I will get the gumption to go back to the pool.

    Have we discussed the fact that we are both firstborns?

    Our pool is an outdoor pool. I try to avoid the times that the classes are scheduled. It cuts into my meditative time when the instructor is barking commands.

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  4. Your recap takes me back to my swim team days (I was a butterflyer and backstroker)...you make me want to get back in a pool again!

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  5. That pool is so awesome! The windows must make you feel like you're outdoors!

    Keep kicking butt with these workouts, Shelley!

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  6. You've really got a great routine going here, Shelley! Keep up the great work!

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  7. Wow Shelley, you've really embraced this swimming thing, you are rocking it girl!

    That pool looks so inviting....for someone who knows how to swim...I wish I knew how ;-)

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  8. I agree that you really have embraced swimming. There is no good way to do something unless you do it 100% and you are! I really enjoy reading your experiences. Will you return to running someday?

    I ordered the variety pack of the honey milk last night. Cant wait!

    Jennifer
    http://www.wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

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  9. I love your pool updates. I WANT TO SWIM :)

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  10. That's such a deluxe swimming pool!!!

    I would sometimes swim at the Y when it was adult swim from 9:00-10:00 p.m. and there were times I was the only one in the water...except for the lifeguard!

    I like my own lane too! Great job though - that's awesome!!!

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  11. I bow down to your swim workout - mine pales in comparison!

    Great job Shelley! I am glad you are starting to enjoy it, even if it isn't your beloved running.

    I am going swimming tonight with Hannah - can't wait! :D

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  12. Nice pool, great workout!

    Once upon a time when we lived in a subdivision where the pool wasn't governed by the swim team... I thoroughly enjoyed doing deep water aerobics for an hour every day. Just found out my gym is going to refund (extend) my membership for 5 months after I heal because of my surgery, so I get a chance to get back in their pool, eventually.
    Jan

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  13. I am impressed -- getting a low-impact workout and having fun at the same time? Nice job!

    So long as you're not growing gills :)

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  14. I love swimming. Of course i end up doing it in my pool at home (yes I'm lucky). But, the downside is the children, esp the little ones who like to ride on mommy horsey style. I realized the other day that carrying them is the 80 pounds I've lost! It's heavy. How'd I ever move with all that? Good for you and your swimming. This really helped my sour and hungry mood this morning!

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  15. What a beautiful pool! And what an amazing workout, you are doing great. I would love to swim at my neighborhood pool in the mornings, but it doesn't open until 11.

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  16. You are doing so great with the swimming, Shelley! I never cared much for it. When I was training for my tri - I just wanted to get the laps over and done with. Good thing it was the first event, too :D

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  17. Hi Shelley. You are from here on in going to be known as "Shelley Super Swimmer!" Your workouts are fantastic!!! Congrats on keeping your hair from turning green! That too is impressive. Have a great day!

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  18. Oh my goodness, your post makes me seriously consider swimming as cross training. I do live one mile from the pool too, but it's conveniently located next to the track, my first love!

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  19. I wish our pool had as many lanes for laps in the morning. They only give up half the pool and leave the rest for water aerobics. I am jealous!

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  20. So glad you are enjoying it.
    In college I swam a lot and my hair became green-like.

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  21. That's cool you are showing your pool now to me. Yours is much more professional than mine, it looks good. Actually I would prefer a pool like yours over mine but mine is included so can't complain right.

    I admire you for swimming an hour and a half every day. I don't think I can do that. I enjoyed my swim last week very much but doubt if I will ever swim longer than 30 minutes. We'll see.

    You are proof that swimming is a good workout since your body changes and you're the reason I picked up swimming again. Thanks!

    By the way I have no idea what's with that statue on my blog, just liked it LOL

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  22. Girl you make that pool time look GOOD.

    and alluring.

    alluringly good.

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  23. OOPS! I forgot about the green hair.
    Glad yours is ok.
    :D

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  24. Hey, sweetie, Imma gonna BE one of those Gray Panthers next fall when I join the Y! LOL But if you were in my pool, I'd stay out of your lane. Promise.

    You give me so much damn hope and inspiration, I just can't tell you. God love ya and you're figuring-it-out ways.

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  25. funny post! what a gorgeus pool! you know, I have the same (problem?) I don´t like (noh, really I can´t stand) sharing my lane.. that´s the reason I gave up with swimming... should I be more tolerant?? anyway, I am very glad you are enjoying this activity! and everyday at 8 am? (wowwwwww)

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  26. Keep itup and you're growing to grow gills and flippers! ;-)

    Good job. Love how you make friends everywhere you go. Running, swimming....you're just a sweetie.

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