I started another new thing Wednesday night: swimming lessons. Since I am planning on doing at least two triathlons this summer, I need to brush up on my swimming. I took swimming lessons as a kid (see: more than 20 years ago) and have been in pools and the ocean, but I usually just float around, typically with an adult beverage, and have no reason to ever actually swim.
When I was in Puerto Rico last Fall, I did try to do real swimming in the ocean. I felt like it took me forever to get anywhere and the waves made it difficult. I had planned to try again in the pool in Florida for a family vacation with the in-laws after Christmas, but due to a blizzard, I never made it.
The gym that I plan to join next week has an indoor pool as well, but while they do have personal trainers, it seems that none of them are swim-specific. So I contacted a health center that is connected with the hospital behind my house for lessons only. I bought a package of 5 lessons, so I can practice at the gym throughout the week and meet with a swim coach once a week or so for improvement tips.
My lesson was scheduled to be a half hour in length. I was a bit late, so we went a bit over, which I appreciated. The instructor has been a swim coach for years, mostly teaching little kids. She is middle-aged and not intimidating, which I appreciate. We practiced swimming with my face in the water (I always want to hold it up) and finding a breathing pattern that works for my timing. She said that my strokes were pretty good, I just need to get my arms up higher sometimes.
We also worked on the backstroke, which she said is good to know in case of fatigue or injury, or anything else that might go on during a triathlon. This was much easier since there's no concern about breathing as your face is entirely out of the water all the time. My form was worse here and I really need to lift my arms more (like all the time) and I seem to go diagonal a lot.
I'm hoping to get into the pool at the gym before Wednesday to practice, but it might not work out. Anyway, looking forward to more practice and I already feel more confident that I can be a good swimmer by the end of June.
My lesson was scheduled to be a half hour in length. I was a bit late, so we went a bit over, which I appreciated. The instructor has been a swim coach for years, mostly teaching little kids. She is middle-aged and not intimidating, which I appreciate. We practiced swimming with my face in the water (I always want to hold it up) and finding a breathing pattern that works for my timing. She said that my strokes were pretty good, I just need to get my arms up higher sometimes.
We also worked on the backstroke, which she said is good to know in case of fatigue or injury, or anything else that might go on during a triathlon. This was much easier since there's no concern about breathing as your face is entirely out of the water all the time. My form was worse here and I really need to lift my arms more (like all the time) and I seem to go diagonal a lot.
I'm hoping to get into the pool at the gym before Wednesday to practice, but it might not work out. Anyway, looking forward to more practice and I already feel more confident that I can be a good swimmer by the end of June.
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