Not Quite Fish-like yet

I did my second swim workout last night and it was a definite improvement over Sunday's effort.

We jumped in and I pretty much started swimming straight off - trying to really, really take it easy. I imediately lost track of the lap count. Basically, after the first lap, I was able to swim a length, rest a few seconds, swim back about 1/2 way and then I started to breast stroke because my breathing got too fast for my stroke again. Then I would get to the wall, rest for a minute or two, and then head out again. Each time I completed a lap, it took me a tad longer to recover my breath, so I know I was progressively challenging myself.

In between each lap, I tried to offer up some advice to my husband who was working on his breathing in the same lane. I really wish that I'd kept track of my laps, but when we started out, I didn't think I'd be able to do so many that I'd care! I'd say that I did a minumum of 8 laps, and more likely closer to 10 or 11. While that's not much by most people's standards, it's a big improvement over Sunday's effort, so I'm pleased. I obviously still have a long way to go.

So what I was doing is this: On the first lap, I breathed every third or fourth stroke and I started out breathing to my left (my strong side) that whole length. Then on the return trip, I switched and worked on breathing only to my right. I'd get about halfway back, breathing every stroke, and then I'd need to breast stroke or choke. So then I got smart and started with my WEAK side on the way down when I was fresh and then went to my strong side for the return trip. This worked a little better as I was able to make it 3/4ths of the way back in that pattern. I basically figure that the more I do, the better I'll get. Eventually I'll be able to make it all the way back, and then someday, I'll be able to skip the resting at the wall. I believe that I have the muscular/body strength (possibly with a few form tweaks), but I just need to improve my cardio capacity for this sport (well, for all sports, but this one first!).

I'm a little stiff and sore today. My hipflexors were sore from running the night before, so I was worried that swimming would be hard. I didn't notice any muscle pain in the pool, but this morning my whole lower body aches. Oh, I also was paying attention to whether or not I side kick while breathing (and if I rotate my body as I swim) and I do. That pleased me. I guess I must have actually learned something in all those swim lessons and training sessions I did as a child!

I'm looking forward to getting good at this. All I need now is some chlorine neutralizing shampoo/body wash and I'll be all set. ;-)