Yeah, that’s the old Nike slogan, but isn’t it so true? Think about all of the times you’ve hesitated to try something new, but decided to just do it anyway…not so bad, right? Caitlin had a great reader question this morning about being nervous to try out new activities (yoga, running, swimming, etc…). I’m a pretty shy, reserved person and I get a little anxiety over going to the yoga studio if I haven’t been in a couple of weeks, or going to a new gym where I don’t know my way around. I get it! But I’ve learned, as Caitlin has too, to just do it, and I’m always pleasantly surprised by how I feel afterward.
Swimming is no different. When Ashley came to me stating that she only knew how not to drown in the pool, I told her to just get in and try to copy what Caitlin was doing with her freestyle/forward crawl stroke. Naturally, she hesitated, but after some coaxing she got in the pool, took a few strokes, and guess what? She was able to do it! No it wasn’t perfect, but she was able to swim a stroke she’d never swum before. She said it felt very natural and she looked like she’d been doing it all her life.
The point is, you have to start somewhere. Swimming is excellent exercise, providing a full-body, cardio workout with less impact on your joints than other activities. Yes, there is a learning curve with swimming. It is more technique dependent than say, running or cycling, in the sense that if you change one part of your stroke technique, you will immediately notice how much easier it is to pull your body through the water. BUT, good technique does not come unless you practice. And in order to practice, you first have to jump in the pool and just start swimming.
Don’t be afraid of looking silly. You’re where you need to be and that’s no one else’s business. The most important thing is that you’re trying, and hopefully having some fun along the way.
If you don’t have anyone to look at for stroke reference when you’re at the pool, watch this video a few times to get an idea of what the general freestyle stroke looks like, then go try it yourself!
http://www.ehow.com/video_4459073_move-arms-freestyle-swimming.html
Oh, and if you haven’t read my How To Swim Part I and Part II, do that too! Print the tips out, put them in a plastic ziplock bag and bring them poolside for easy reference.
What would you like me to feature in my upcoming swimming tips?
Happy Swimming!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Very good Ryan! encouraging swimming with proper form is always welcome. just do it.
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i love ashley’s answer of her only knowing how not to drown in the pool – thats exactly how i feel. I def. forsee myself branching out and trying to learn how to ACTUALLY swim sometime this year – all the talk with you and Caitlin has def. gotten my mind wheeling. Thanks for the suggestion to just do it!
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Most of the time, I love the zen-like calm of swimming. Some days, though, I’m just bored. What do you do to make it more interesting. And I’m not just talking sets or intervals (although some insight on that, too, would be great) but also what you usually think about in the pool. Confession: I sing to myself a lot!
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Ryan @ Greens for Good Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I sing a lot in my head too! I also kick with a kick board, do drill work, change the stroke I’m swimming, use a buoy, etc.. to keep from getting bored. Most of the time intervals and sets do a great job at keeping me entertained/distracted. One of my upcoming tips will be on sets and interval training so stay tuned!
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I was in this position just a couple of weeks ago! I’ve been wanting to do my first tri this year, but the swim was the only thing holding me back. I was nervous that I would look like a dummy in the pool at the YMCA and the lifeguard would laugh at me. One day, I just went and did it (I only swam 15 minutes) and got over my fear/anxiety of the pool. I agree, you gotta JUST DO IT! : )
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This post is exactly what I needed. I have been wanting to learn to swim better as a means of cross training for running but I have been so afraid to actually get in the water. I bought myself a new swimsuit and everything, hoping it would help to get me in the water, but I haven’t been able to do it! (yet)
Thanks for the motivation!
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So true–you just have to jump right in!
I loved your how to swim part 1 and 2, as well as this post. I’ve been swimming for about a year now (after taking lessons a few times when I was a kid, I still was terrified of the water and my first dip last March included a board and a lot of nightmares the night before!) and I definitely want to refine my technique a bit, but classes are hard to find here in Trinidad. I’d love to see a post on correct kicking technique for freestyle–at the moment I’m either splashing too hard or just dragging!
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