Swimmers!

jcpmoore

I'm trying to start a swimming workout on Friday mornings. When I walk I listen to music or radio. When I use the cardio machines I read. How do you keep the swim workouts from getting boring?

Thanks!

-Jenna

theoneandonlybrookie

It's funny - I'm the same way. I have to have my ipod when I run, so that I can listen to music, books, and podcasts. However, when I swim I actually get into a meditative state very quickly and use that time to think. I believe it's because all noises except the water and my own breathing are canceled out. The time goes by rather quickly.

I also focus on my effort during workouts, and think about what I'm doing. I swam competitively, year around until I was 18, and many of our workouts were built on 1) interval training and 2) maximum effort. You can have fun building workouts for yourself with these two methods. Time yourself on how quickly you can swim a particular length, say 100 free, and then build a workout around it. Make it so that your intervals get shorter and shorter, peak, and then lengthen in the same way. You also can build workouts around working toward maximum intensity and then easing off. This can give you something to focus on instead of being bored.

Mom2rh

They have music systems for swimming. Google it.

ArroganceInStep

They have headphones that play underwater by making vibrations on your cheekbone, they also have waterproof rigs that create an air seal around your ear. Both have there own host of problems but they do work. I usually just zone out when I swim, seems to work for me. Then again I have a hyperactive imagination so it's pretty easy for me to do that.

jcpmoore

Thanks for the tips! Money isn't available at the moment, at least not for this, so no new music systems for me. Zoning out seems to be working out pretty well. Half the time it's just 1-2-3-4-5-6-BREATHE! Followed by oh-oh-can-I-make-it-to-the-other-side?

IOW, I'm not a great swimmer, but hope to change that. Thanks again!

ArroganceInStep

Thanks for the tips! Money isn't available at the moment, at least not for this, so no new music systems for me. Zoning out seems to be working out pretty well. Half the time it's just 1-2-3-4-5-6-BREATHE! Followed by oh-oh-can-I-make-it-to-the-other-side?

IOW, I'm not a great swimmer, but hope to change that. Thanks again!

Try:
1) Complex mathematical equations (I swam 2 miles once trying to solve one of my DiffEq problems in college)
2) Possible scenarios to survive a zombie apocalypse
3) What you would do with $100,000,000
4) Cite the pledge of allegiance backwards (or anything you know by heart) and determine if there is a subliminal message there
5) Devise a plan to commit the perfect bank robbery and act it out in your head
6) I could keep going (I told you...hyperactive imagination)

alliesun53

I swam competitively year round from when I was 5 to 18, and then 2 years at my D1 college. (D1 deemed to be too demanding and I was "swam out".) I still swim and it's actually my profession now. I use my swimming time as "my" time. It's when I sort out my problems, do my budgets, and replay things in my head that I wish I did differently and how I would react. lol. Sounds silly but all that thinking makes the time go faster.

Since I was on a team for so long, I can't just swim for 45 minutes. I make up workouts and sets. It let's me keep track of how much I've swam and gives me something else to think about--like this lap is a sprint, next lap is backstroke, etc.

MissesJai

LOL I'm the same way! But, like another poster said, for me, swimming is my time to clear my head and just BE. I think through things, find solutions to whatever problems I'm going through, make plans, etc. I just don't focus on how far I have to go before I'm done :laugh:

jbachhuber

I swim about 3 days a week and treat it like meditation. I'm always trying to go the same distance and lose track if I'm not constantly keeping in mind what lap I'm on...each length I'm repeating in my head how many yards I'll have covered by the end of the pool....it helps clear my mind.

That and sometimes I'll create a competition in my head with the other swimmers...either trying to lap them so many times or avoid getting lapped depending on their speed!!!

drewbird911

Join a US Master team, less boring, work outs are coached, lane mates to chat with, stroke pointers, pace.rest intervals.