Happy Wednesday! Injury update: My foot is feeling a lot better and I’ve started running again slowly but surely. I am taking it one step at a time (literally) but I am feeling very hopeful that I am on my way back! You may have seen that I’ve also decided to jump back into a few Sprint Triathlon races this year. The swim has always been a cause of anxiety for me. I know I am a strong swimmer, but I always get nervous on race day. When I noticed that my gym was offering a Master Swim Class, I thought it the perfect time to jump in!
Usually when I go for a swim, I just jump in and do some laps. I really don’t pay much attention to my pace or perform any type of workout. I just swim. While there is certainly nothing wrong with just swimming, I am always looking for a challenge and would love to improve my confidence during the tri.
I arrived at my first class, a little nervous and a lot excited. There were 4 other women there of varying ages and fitness abilities. We were given a warm up workout to perform:
Usually my workout would stop after the 600 m warm up. I had no idea what I was in for. Over the next 45 minutes we did speed drills, equipment drills and received lots of feedback on our stroke. I was completely exhausted but amazed that I could swim for this long. Over the course of the class we swam about 1,700 m or a little over a mile. I was pretty proud of myself.
I was surprised by how hard the workout was and surprised by how much I loved it! I convinced some of my friends to come the next week and thy loved it too. We are having a great time training together for our May triathlon. Just like running, swimming with friends is so much more fun.
I’m loving my new class and “soaking up” all the advice from my coach. Our workouts change each week and we vary between using all sorts of fun toys. I love excuses to buy new gear! Fins to help build a stronger flutter kick and leg strength. Buoys and paddles to work on arm strength and stroke. I am looking for a new pair of goggles. Any suggestions?? (This post contains affiliate links)
Do you use any of these toys for your swim workout? Are there anymore that I need?
Linking up with Ann Marie and Diatta
That is awesome! So glad to hear you jumped into a Masters group. The drills and coach observations will help your stroke, and the buddies will help you push yourself. Great work!! Cute practice suit, too!
I am loving it for the reasons you just mentioned!
Very cool! I feel like swimming is something I’ve always enjoyed leisurely but never tried to go beyond that and learn more correct form or get tips from a coach. It’s inspiring to see you give it a shot, as I definitely think I’d be a major beginning and get worn out during the warm-up alone
I am worn out too! But I am loving it
Nice job! I hate getting my face wet and I don’t like going under water at all so it’s not surprising that I am not really into swimming. Great job trying out the class!
Ha ha that would probably not be the best sport for you then! 🙂
Sounds like a good workout! Nice job! I need to kick up my swimming since I’ve signed up for my first tri! #wowlinkup
I am really excited to get back to tri racing this year too!
I would probably drown if I tried to swim- props to you for jumping in! Thanks so much for linking up! 🙂
I seriously doubt that!!
I’m very much like Fezzik in the Princess Bride: I only dog paddle. I can run and I did bike as a kid, but I never mastered swimming.
I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered it but I am liking seeing the progress I’ve made.
So cool! I really feel like you have made the most out of your injury and tried to stay active. Very inspiring. I know it has been frustrating though. Hope you foot continues to play nice.
I think I’d have to sign up for Swim 101. I’ll do it one day!
It’s really a great workout! I am trying to keep up my fitness and I hope I can get past the foot thing soon too. thanks!
Great to hear that you loved your first masters swim class! I think you have all the basic swim tools that I would suggest. One additional piece of equipment that I’m thinking about getting is a swimming beeper that helps you pace yourself when training alone.
Ooh I love gear! I will check that out. I am still learning to pace myself.
You are so brave! I tried swimming a few years ago when I was injured and couldn’t run. I hated it. I probably need to try it again. Might be fun with some toys…
You should try it again! It’s a great workout
Very cool! I am definitely NOT a strong swimmer…I’m not ready to jump into the triathlon world yet, but I am interested in learning to become a better swimmer. Great job!
I know you can do it! You are tough
congrats on rocking that swim! I am not a swimmer at all but am always impressed by them!
My swimming is not that impressive-yet!!
I am really enjoying it!
This looks like fun. I would like to start swimming more. I think I may take lessons this summer to improve my skills. I haven’t swam in ages 🙂
Lessons help a lot!
I really want to get back into the swimming world. Such a great workout and good for you.
It really is a lot harder than I expected
Sounds like a great class! I rarely swim but when I do, it’s just jumping in and swimming like you said. I had no idea there were drills and stuff you can do.
Oh yes there are lots of things to do to make it harder. I am really enjoying it.
How fun! Glad to hear your foot is better! I have never been very good at swimming, the only pool I am ever in has a swim up bar 😉 I bet it is a great workout! Thanks for linking up!
Ha ha that’s a whole other kind of swimming 🙂
I don’t swim, but would really like to learn how!
Come join me sometime!
I am really happy to hear your foot is starting to feel better!!!
Swim classes would be fun. I always say this on swimming, but maybe one day:) I have a sister who is hardcore and gets up at 4am every day to swim at least 2 miles. She has a coach that helps her, (she trains for Tri’s) last time I went swimming with her, she was down and back before I even knew what had happened, LOL Swimming is a GREAT workout though!!!
No 4 a for me! But I am enjoying the swimming and yes back to running a little bit this week
I really miss swimming, I just get weirded out by public pools and not many gyms around me have pools. Ho hum
Oh that’s too bad! Our gym has a nice one and it is heated to 84 in the winter.
So funny, I like the idea of swimming, but I’m not a fan of being in the water at all. 🙂 I did laps when I was pregnant but that’s about it for exercise!
That is funny! I am really enjoying it right now.
I’m glad your foot is feeling better! And I am really impressed by your tackling the swim-anxiety-thing head-on. The idea of swimming in a triathlon makes me break out in a cold sweat. I have been wanting to swim at my gym but I keep chickening out.
You can do it! Just jump in 🙂
Way to rock that swim! I don’t have the endurance for masters but I have worked with a tri swim coach and her process was/is amazing. When baby is older, I plan on rejoining her troop!
It is a great workout and lots of fun too.
I think the last time I took a swim lesson I was like 8 years old, lol
Ha come join me sometime!!
I like the way you just jump right in there and go for it! I have a pool out back but I am more of a floater these days! 🙂
You could so be a tri girl you have the perfect weather year round!
Glad that you’re loving your swim class and finding a way to get your cardio fix while you gradually work your way back into running! 🙂
It is really a great workout and a great way to stay in shape. I do miss running though
Way to go!! That sounds like an intense workout.
It is! I am really liking it and it is a great complement to my other workouts.
wow I can’t even imagine swimming a mile! I barely swim from one side to the other lol. I wish I Was a strong swimmer but do want to work on this and attempt a sprint triathlon in the next year or so. Any tips for super beginner swimmers?
Yes start slow. Each time add a few laps and you will surprise yourself-I did!
That’s a lot of swimming! I am a terrible swimmer. I could save my life but swimming laps is not for me.
I never thought it was for me either until I gave it a try. I really like it! It’s a great workout.
Sounds like a great class! I am not a strong swimmer, and it would be kind of nice to change that 🙂
It would! Go for it!
If i ever wanted to take up swimming, I’d really benefit from a class. I can swim, but I’m sure my strokes and breathing techniques aren’t that great!
Oh you should come join me one day! Then I can talk you into a tri race. 🙂
It’s fun reading about your excitement for swimming! Love the energy 🙂
Oh thanks! I really am enjoying the challenge of the workouts. I do miss running though but slowly working my way back
Good for you! I need to find a swing class myself. The weakness in my femur from the boot caused me to drag in the pool and now I have tennis elbow. Grr… I’m working on the leg strength but need a class now.
Oh no that’s not good! Sometimes it feels like it’s one thing after another doesn’t it?! Staying in shape is dangerous 🙂 BTW I assume you meant swim and not “swing” cause that’s a whole other post LOL
Sounds like a great class. I need to take a beginners swimming class. I wouldn’t drown if I fell in water but I am not the best swimmer!
Oh I doubt that!
This sounds so great! I’m in desperate need of any kind of swim class. I can swim, but would love to become more comfortable with it and hopefully tri one day!
I’ve learned so much already!
I spent about two years convincing myself I was a triathlete. I spent more hours in the pool than I care to remember. I never did like it! It WAS a killer workout, and I was always ravenously hungry after swimming! These days, I stick to running 😉
It is a great workout. The swim always give me anxiety so I am trying to fix that.
Girl you just belew my mind! Swimming is by far the hardest cardio ever! Go you for going almost a mile, I would have drowned!!
No you would not have! It is hard and I have learned a lot already.
I am so glad your injury is healing and you are able to start running again!! Such great news!
The swim class looks awesome – I will have to look in a class like that 🙂
The only other toy I can think of is the aqua jogger if you want to run in the pool – GREAT workout!!
I thought about running in the pool but ours isn’t deep enough and I think I would feel like a loser. 🙂
Fun! I have this idea that I hate swimming so I haven’t attempted it since back in my middle school days! I don’t know why I never think about swimming- especially on days when my body/joints need a break from running. You’ve inspired me to try it- well, at least think about trying it 🙂
Awesome! Let me know how it goes I bet you will like it 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the swim class! I’ve always been interested in doing a triathlon but am intimidated by the swimming portion. I’m not a bad swimmer but still get nervous at the idea of doing it as part of a race. I’m looking forward to your posts about the triathlons!! Hope your foot injury continues to heal!
I get nervous about the swim during a race too. I am hoping that this class gives me more confidence.
ack. so great. i need to get into a swim class myself!
You should come join me sometime! It’s a great workout. I just signed up for Iron Girl-kind of freaking out 🙂
Very nice!! You look so happy…it’s all about having fun after all…
It is so much fun!
When I swam more I would come out of the pool STARVING!!!! I never had lessons, I sort of picked it up on my own as a child but I definitely wouldn’t mind lessons. You are going to do great on your tri. #wowlinkup
Thanks friend! I have a few months more to practice
Sorry to hear about your foot. Swimming is such a great sport and that is something I need to return to. I haven’t gone swimming laps in years. It looks like you are getting ready for you big race.
I am really enjoying it quite a bit! You should try it again.