Who's Missing The Pool?

[larsmi]

I've never been a great swimmer, but doing laps twice a week has been part of my routine for years. With my gym closed, I miss the all-over feeling of exhaustion (in a good way) followed by relaxation in the steam room. Fortunately the offerings online help with continuity for yoga and some cardio/light weight routines.

I miss the general camaraderie I had at the gym on days I'd row, take classes or work out on my own, though swimming met a different set of needs for me. I would usually hit the pool at off hours to ensure a lane to myself. Swimming was a rare part of my day where I could be alone with no email, calls or interruptions. I'm not a good enough swimmer to be on autopilot and let my mind wander. Swimming is meditative in that I can only pay attention to my stroke and breathing, The closest substitute I've found for now is jogging and walking outside, though it's not the same. With so many others out walking, there's a need to cross the street or walk in the middle of the road to keep distance which makes it hard to give my mind a rest from the awful reality we're facing.

I'm curious how other swimmers are handling things.

 

[gideon8]

Jonesing for the pool!
Never swam on a regular basis before November of last year, but had a friend coach me and up until everything closed, I was cranking out 30-40 laps six days a week.
Really didn't understand the mental space it was giving me until I couldn't do it, like you, I hadn't gotten good enough yet to go on autopilot.

 

[william1]

I am missing my swimming, i normally go once a week and swim 100 lengths (2km), so yes i am missing it very much, took my push bike out yesterday for a short ride. i find my swimming often quite therapeutic and swim with an iPod which is waterproofed (look up swimman on the web).

 

[bigmanmikey]

Big time missing the pool.. swim an scuba person here..

 

[larsmi]

I am missing my swimming, i normally go once a week and swim 100 lengths (2km), so yes i am missing it very much, took my push bike out yesterday for a short ride. i find my swimming often quite therapeutic and swim with an iPod which is waterproofed (look up swimman on the web).

I'm conflicted about the waterproof iPod option. Ihave an old iPod shuffle sitting unused and saw a DIY waterproofing tutorial which looks manageable, all I'd need are waterproof ear buds. I've resisted trying it though because I so rarely have "quiet" time and as much as I like tinkering and this would be a good lockdown project, I think I'll resist for now. But on the other hand, there are days the laps drag on and some music might help.... Hope you're hanging in there.

 

[Bondi]

I miss the pool so much! No better way to get good cardio, build muscles and stay limber. I got my last swim in an hour before my gym closed for the quarantine, and can’t wait to get back.

Besides, being submerged in chlorinated water seems about as safe as it gets, no?

 

[kcdave]

I wonder how hard it will be to build the endurance back up. I was swimming about 80 laps, six days a week.

 

[Bondi]

I wonder how hard it will be to build the endurance back up. I was swimming about 80 laps, six days a week.

I bet the first couple swims will feel tough, but you’ll be back to normal in about a week.

Let’s hope we can all get back in the water soon!

 

[Hairy]

I've never been a great swimmer, but doing laps twice a week has been part of my routine for years. With my gym closed, I miss the all-over feeling of exhaustion (in a good way) followed by relaxation in the steam room. Fortunately the offerings online help with continuity for yoga and some cardio/light weight routines.

I miss the general camaraderie I had at the gym on days I'd row, take classes or work out on my own, though swimming met a different set of needs for me. I would usually hit the pool at off hours to ensure a lane to myself. Swimming was a rare part of my day where I could be alone with no email, calls or interruptions. I'm not a good enough swimmer to be on autopilot and let my mind wander. Swimming is meditative in that I can only pay attention to my stroke and breathing, The closest substitute I've found for now is jogging and walking outside, though it's not the same. With so many others out walking, there's a need to cross the street or walk in the middle of the road to keep distance which makes it hard to give my mind a rest from the awful reality we're facing.

I'm curious how other swimmers are handling things.

I'm a 100 mile per year lap swimmer and appreciate your observations. It is now approaching six weeks since I have been able to be in the water. Walking, working on the house and yard and some weight lifting on an old bench I hadn't used in years are keeping me in some kind of shape, but I know that when I get back into the pool it will be like starting over in order to build endurance and the overall feeling of a good relaxing workout. Best of luck to you when the day finally comes!

 

[pwrdick]

Opened up my pool two weeks ago and allowed friends who had been missing the public pools to take advantage of it. The water is chlorinated so as long as everyone maintains distancing out of the water we're fine. Have an outdoor shower that all are required to use, and have plenty of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer. But, of course, I am the biggest beneficiary and can enjoy my lap swims au natural!

 

[4294991]

It has been a while, I have new swimming trunks I haven't even worn yet, lol. There's no feeling like getting out of the pool and then letting the sun just kiss with warmth all over.

 

[speedoswimmer]

I hope you wear speedos with that hot body.

 

[4294991]

I hope you wear speedos with that hot body.

I haven't bought any yet, do have some in mind though. I'm flattered.

 

[Gj816]

Wondering if now would be a good time to invest in an inground pool?

 

[Bondi]

Wondering if now would be a good time to invest in an inground pool?

Yes. Will you invite me over for some skinny dipping?

 

[Gj816]

Yes. Will you invite me over for some skinny dipping?

You know it.

 

[mdbi_guy]

I am missing the pool. I am a three time a week swimmer and haven’t been since about a week before they shut down the club. Also miss jumping in the hot tub after the swim.

 

[894956]

Opened up my pool two weeks ago and allowed friends who had been missing the public pools to take advantage of it. The water is chlorinated so as long as everyone maintains distancing out of the water we're fine. Have an outdoor shower that all are required to use, and have plenty of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer. But, of course, I am the biggest beneficiary and can enjoy my lap swims au natural!View attachment 16148891

Do you swim nude when others are with you?

 

[894956]

I hope you wear speedos with that hot body.

Unless you have your own pool in your yard, then there is no need to wear anything.

 

[pwrdick]

Do you swim nude when others are with you?

I have let my neighbors know that they can come over whenever they like. BUT I also tell them that when I am swimming, I am usually nude, so that they know that a) it's no big deal to me if they see me naked (I also usually turn compost and garden in the nude when it is warm or sunny out) and b) if they are bringing kids who usually don't see adults nude or feel uncomfortable they can call ahead of time. If I am joining others with swimsuits on in the pool, I will wear one.