Swimming Sucks

I self taught myself to swim breaststroke more than 32 years ago when my school built a swimming pool. For the longest time ever, I wanted to swim front crawl. I see swimmers doing it so effortlessly and gracefully and I wanted to learn but tried as I could, I could not managed. But after I left school, swimming or for that matter anything to do with sports was put on the back burner.

Then when my kids started to learn swimming, I tried again to master front crawl but learning to swim in a public pool on a weekend was near impossible and I soon gave up and contend myself with just swimming leisurely breaststroke.

Then 3 years ago, my oesto recommended that I incorporate swimming as part of my recovery regime and since I wasn't supposed to bend my knees too much, he recommended that I swim front crawl. So I had a big problem. How? And then I discover this miracle product called a pull buoy. With it tuck between the legs, I suddenly discovered that I could swim lap after lap of effortless front crawl. I could even overtake the uncle and aunties swimming along side:) And so since then I have been using the pull buoy during my swim session swimming up to 30 laps in the 40metres pool.

But of course as with all things, I got bored and wanted more challenge. It was then that I discovered that take away the pull buoy, I still struggle to swim 1 lap and will swim like a bloody 'char tow' Hell after 4 years and to think I had not made any improvement. So I changed routine. 10 laps with pull buoy, 10 laps breaststroke and 10 laps alternate without the pull buoy ie struggled and splashed my way to the middle of the pool using front crawl and switch to breaststroke for the rest of the lap and revert again on the return leg.

By now I have come to the conclusion that the pull buoy has become a crutch and my security blanket and if I seriously want to improve on my front crawl, I need to cast it aside. So recently, I have started trying this new routine. 20 laps of 40 metres alternating 1 lap front and 1 lap crawl. Still struggling but at least can reach the end unless someone bump into me and I will sink faster than you can shout watchout.

I think my pull is okay. Breathing not so good but manageable. Anybody got any advice how to keep the lower body from sinking? Of course I can always take the easy way out and get a swim instructor but that is not my style aside from the fact that I am a 'kiam-ka-nah'. Some people said head look down, eyes look up (how?), my bro-in-law (he is a swimming instructor) said keep the body slimline, imagine you are trying to squeeze through a small hole (easier said than done), my daughter said kick as hard as possible (cannot will get cramp). So how?

How the Old Man got Blister in the Swimming Pool

My friends are laughing their head off over this silly old man who goes swimming and get blisters on the sole. How indeed does one get blister in an environment where there is more than ample liquid to lubricate the whole body and probably 10 elephants as well?

You see, after deciding to have a run break and reading somewhere that running in water is a good alternative, Uncle here decided to try it out. Only problem is - the pool at my place was only 1.2m deep throughout and me being all of 1.81m tall, was already looking like a giraffe standing in the water so I figured a flotation belt will make me look even more cartoon. And anyway, with my long legs, I think it's not gonna keep me afloat in a 1.2m pool.

So I did the next best thing. Just run in the water. Now the pool is app 40m in length so it actually made for quite a good workout or so I thought. I started with 10 laps running up and down the length of the pool. It actually was quite tough; the effort needed to lift the legs to move forward and to stay upright was incredible. Like most pool in condo, the pool was beautifully tiled in various colors. Only problem is, some of the tiles were the smooth type and some non-slip and as I ran, I had to grip hard (or at least do a semblance of griping hard) on the pool floor to prevent myself from making a fool out of meself. Hmm come to think of it I might be better off just running on ground?

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the blisters came after 1 had completed 20 laps but gung ho me decided to do another 10 more for good measures. And when I got out of the pool finally, not only was there 1 blister on the ball of the left foot, the blister on the right had burst and the darned thing was bleeding! I think I shan't post the pic here. It doesn't look too nice.

And so here is the story of the day the old man got blister in the swimming pool.

So what's next? maybe a pair of water booties?

Swimming

Haven't been swimming for some time. Finally dragged myself down to the pool this evening. Surprisingly, was able to swim quite smoothly not like usual where I struggled from start to finish.

Hmmm wondered why the sudden improvement? Was it due to the presence of the 2 bikini girls who were doing laps as well?

Swimming

Send the car for service and while waiting for it to be completed, hopped over to Tampines Safra. Did my own time trial to see whether I can qualify for the next bia.

Swam breaststroke all the way.

First 10 laps - 500m 14:16
Next 10 laps - 500m 14:26
Last 10 laps - 500m 14:03
Total time for 1.5k 42:45

Sigh still some way to go.

Ended with another 10 laps front crawl. This one average lap is 1:30 lagi slow.

Back to the drawing board

Swimming

Drop off M for a lunch appt and had some time to kill b4 picking her up. Went over to Safra Mt Faber for a swim.

Decided to test myself for the 1.5k. Still thinking of doing the bia if I can meet the qualifying time.

1st 10 laps breaststroke 15:08m. Great.
Next 10 laps switched to freestyle. This one not so great. Need to stop to catch breathe every lap. Time taken: 21:02. Gone cannot meet the timing requirement liao.
Final 10 laps. Swim alternate breaststroke/free. At the 25th lap, time up 45:08. Finished the set in 16:53.
Total time taken: 53:31. 8 m 31s off the qualifing time.

Maybe if I just stick to the breaststroke, got chance? Sigh, got to practice more and try next year. Otherwise go there and malu only.

Spitter

I just can't tahan this idiot. Was swimming this evening and every time this guy reached the end of the pool, he will clear his throat and than spit into the drain running along the side of the pool. Sure the drain is channelling the pool water into the filter but since it is on level with the pool, somehow or rather the spit might flow back into the main pool.

And I don't understand why he got so bladdy much spit. He is certainly a stronger swimmer than me and since poor mediocre me don't even drink the pool water, surely he will be able to do the same! I feel like going up and making him sucked up the damn thing. The only thing stopping me is - he looks much stronger than me so I chickened out:(

On a brighter note, my self learnt front crawl is now slightly faster than my breaststroke. The only problem is that I can swim 40 laps of breaststroke without problem but 2 laps of front crawl and I need to stop to take a breather. Still a long way to go!



Err... can anyone help me and tell me what I'm doing wrong?