Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with swimming

really bad swimmers sinusitis

complience — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:10:33 -0800

Please help me beat my swimmers sinusitis - I need too breathe! This past year I have taken up swimming again primarly for triathlon and really been enjoying it.

However as I increased my time in the pool I started to notice I was getting a blocked nose, as it was during the summer so I assumed it was HayFever - but now is winter its even worse.

I try to do four pool sessions a week, and after the 3rd sesson I'm completely blocked, even after the first sesson im really struggling. After a a couple of days im normally just about back to normal.

I don't want to give up swimming but ive tried lots of things and I can't beat this thing. Heres the list:

1.) Different pools - aways the same.

2.) I tried snorting warm shower water straight after swimming -

3.) I tried nose clips - It ruined my breathing I couldn't swim with them on.

4.) I tried nasya oil - its like expired olive oil and doesnt have much effect at all.

5.) I tried drinking lots of water before I go swimming, no real improvement.

6.) I tried SudaFed and Beconase (pseudoephedrine) it does help clear me up short term but I don't think I should be using it every day

7.) I tried snorting salt water and it does help clear the sinses short term but again I think its causing more harm than good.

What else can I try?

Dogwatch.

Pippi Longstocking — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:30:38 -0800

Dog Filter: My labrador thinks she's a lifeguard! Help! My 5 year old Labrador Retriever, Molly is an avid swimmer, as are all Labradors. However, she makes swimming at the pool and at the beach very difficult, as she seems to have this deep seated biological drive to save anyone she determines as being in too far (she almost rescued a stranger's child once, who was clearly in no danger, but nevertheless she tried.)

At the beach, once you are in up to the depth she has determined is enough (about human knee depth), she will grab whatever piece of clothing she can, quite gently, and pull you back towards the shore.

In the pool, she is perfectly happy to swim by herself, and 'rescue' the kick board and bring it back numerous times, but once a human wants to swim with her, she whines and barks from the edge, or will swim on top of you, unintentionally scratching at you, in an attempt to grab your swimwear and take you to the edge. She will tolerate you standing still or floating close to the edge, but move towards the middle of the pool and she is clearly distressed. Throwing the board in and swimming is the only way both of us can swim, and you can still see her doggy brain frantically trying to triage who she should rescue first.

So, my question finally....how do I help train her to calm down in these situations, so both of us can swim at the same time? While there are clearly some advantages to this 'need' of hers (and is sometimes hilariously funny), it seriously impedes us both having a good time swimming.

The difficulties of having dog treats at the pool are clear....any suggestions as to training techniques?

Why are men's swimming shorts all long (and unlined) now?

Rash — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:10:19 -0800

SwimmingInAmerica Filter: how come men's swimming trunks have disappeared? I find only board shorts and bikinis in the shops. For example, check a selection at a major online outlet labeled "Swim Trunks and Board Shorts". There's only one in all those which resemble what I think of as swimming trunks: short (maybe 12 inches on the outside seam), and with an inner liner, for support. None of the others (do they still call the longest type "jams") have liners. I don't get it -- you guys just flopping around inside there or is everyone wearing jockstraps now?

We had a discussion earlier about this in why do Europeans wear Speedos where the American aversion to the 'package bulge' comes up but I don't understand now why the shorts are all so long. Too 70s?

Form of Wallowing Garbage Scow!

winna — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:49:41 -0800

Yet another swimming exercise and etiquette question. I wanted to start swimming because I was tired of doing an hour a day on the elliptical machine. I have read Total Immersion, read the Masters Swimming site, and all the relevant previous questions.

With that said, I have some questions. The first is I'd like to know what etiquette should I be observing at the pool? I go later at night so I have my own lane, I have my hair in a cap, and I shower before going in. What are things that would be obvious to a swimmer that I wouldn't know? For example, last night was the first time I went. I didn't have a watch, so the only way I knew it was time to leave was when someone who worked there told me the pool was closing. Was that a terrible breach of protocol, or does it not matter that much if I get out when they tell me to?

I have glasses, but I bought goggles. The problem is that I have truly terrible vision, and without my glasses I can't see anything at all. If I don't wear my goggles, can I wear my glasses in the pool, or would that look too goofy until I get an water-resistant watch?

Then there's the odd fact that I was prepared to be exhausted after a few minutes and a single lap, as everyone had told me I would. However I swam laps, only pausing for about twenty seconds at either end, for forty-five minutes without a break. My arms are a little sore this morning, but that's all. I can't swim very well and I'm extremely slow, but I can manage to do a shoddy imitation of a crawl or a backstroke and an awkward breaststroke. I have been going to the gym for years, but I thought the conventional wisdom was that swimming exhausted non-swimmers. Is it possible that I am swimming incorrectly enough that I'm not making enough effort for it to count as exercise?

And finally, I am having enormous trouble figuring out how to swim, and I'm trying to remember how to do it correctly. Other than doing my breaststroke, which I try to manage so as not to disrupt other lanes, am I bothering other swimmers with my ineptitude? Is the pool sort of like the weight room, in that at a certain level of incompetence no one notices or cares? For some reason I'm hypersensitive about looking ridiculous in the water. Is there any reason to think that other swimmers care at all about how badly I swim? I am enormously, hideously fat, so I am already used to a certain level of bizarre side glances when I work out, but something about the near-nudity of swimming makes the thought of people critiquing my swimming and person far worse.

Shirts for swimming?

fogster — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:57:11 -0800

What type of shirt do I wear swimming? Where do I buy them? I'm going swimming (in a pool) soon, but for whatever reason, I've never felt comfortable in public not wearing a shirt, even in situations where it's expected, like swimming in a pool.

I've seen some shirts that are meant to be worn in the water. Is it normal to wear these in a pool, or are they meant more for surfing? Where do you buy them? I assume wearing a T-shirt will end badly, since it would just get soaking wet and cling to my body.

Looking for swim cap recommendations.

jennyb — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:07:05 -0800

Tell me about swim caps. I take water aerobics twice a week. I'm growing my hair a bit longer and want to start wearing a swimming cap to protect my hair and to comply with the pool's regulations.

I bought a basic silicone cap but it pulled my hair and gave me a headache and I hated it and threw it away. I'm hoping there is some magical alternative out there.

I have a large-ish head and slightly longer than ear-length, thick-ish hair, if that helps. I don't care too much about looking foolish, but I am not entirely lacking in vanity.

There's a rat in the drain!

speeb — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:32:10 -0800

[Book/Story-filter] Trying to place a book or maybe short story from my youth (child of the late 70s-80s). The only thing I can remember is a guy going swimming at the Y. He thinks he sees a towel stuck in the drain at the bottom of the pool, but once he gets down there he realizes it is a rat coming out of the drain. It could be a really popular book for all I know. I just know that it scared the crap out of me and still freaks me out to this day a bit. Any ideas?

What are the best earplugs for swimming?

Sevenupcan — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:58:28 -0800

What are the best ear plugs for swimming? As a child I always had really bad ear infections. So much that it put me off swimming for a while as I would always get water in my ears and it would really hurt! I soon discovered that wearing a swimming cap was the best solution. A fair few years have passed now and I am a little less bothered by water getting in my ears but still find it painful at times.

Now I'd like to find a really good pair of earplugs. I always used to find the wax ones let water in after a while and often get dirt on them. But then again some silicon ones felt uncomfortable because it felt like they were digging into my ear canal.

When it comes to earplugs for swimming is there one universal name or brand that springs to mind?

Help me Flip

LittlePumpkin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:24:29 -0800

Can you teach me how to do a swimming flip turn? I used to know how. But I haven't swum in a while -- so not only have I forgotten how to flip, I also seem to have developed a fear of the wall.

Any quick and easy flip tips?

In Manhattan. Want to swim laps.

slateyness — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:07:36 -0800

Where to swim in Manhattan? I'm looking for a good lap pool in Manhattan, in midtown or on the upper east side.

I'm familiar with the Manhattan Swim and Athletic Club (used to be a member, but SO expensive). I am looking into the Manhattan Plaza Health Club (it's a little out of the way for me, but any member or former member insights about the club would be appreciated).

Are there any other swimming pools that I should look into that are comparably large (75 ft long or so, not the wimpy, tiny pools that the New York Health and Racquet Clubs/Equinox have)?

Where to get wet and see something cool near denver?

mrgoldenbrown — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:06:06 -0800

Where is there an exciting swimming hole/lake/river near Denver? My parents are looking for a good place to see some waterfalls, go swimming, marvel at nature, etc tomorrow, near or in Denver.

Criteria:

1. Swimming possible please (for dad)
2. Something cool to see/do besides swimming, (for mom) this could be waterfalls, flowers, short hiking trail, whatever.
3. Close to Denver, CO (2 hours or less)

The perfect example from back home would be the kankamagus river in New Hampshire.

They've been to RMNP and golden gate canyon, and enjoyed both.
I'm also a visitor here, so I don't know where to send them.

Swimming in the Ottawa river?

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:30:15 -0800

Is the Ottawa river good for swimming in? Specifically around the Westboro beach area. I know there is red / green flag posted on the beach, I assume for E. coli, but I am also nervous about heavy metals, crazy radioactive runoff, or other evil humours.

What kind of exercise can I do instead of swimming to get the same benefits?

shelleycat — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:53:27 -0800

So now that my local community swimming pool has been taken over by a corporation swimming rather sucks and I'm left trying to figure out if I can replace it with a different type of exercise while still getting the same benefits. Swimming helps with my back and shoulder problems as well as increasing my cardiovascular fitness but there must be other ways to do this without joining a gym, right? I've just come back from a three month break in my exercise routine to find the crappy new management of my pool has booked out nearly all the lanes every day leaving us 'casual' swimmers screwed. Previously I was swimming two or three times per week, 30-45 minutes each time, about 80% backstroke and the rest freestyle. I also do pressups and planks regularly and a lot of long distance walking (am training for a marathon). I'd like to replace some or all of the swimming with something else without joining any kind of club, taking classes, or going to a gym.

Swimming gives me three main benefits I'd need to replace. Firstly it's a good cardiovascular workout and probably the only thing I do that resembles speed work. I don't have time to do cardio separately so really need something that incorporates this aspect. Secondly it builds upper body strength. I have a lot of back and neck problems so this is necessary but somewhat difficult for me. Pressups also contribute but aren't enough on their own. Thirdly I have shoulder problems from excessive computer use (something which isn't going to go away for the foreseeable future) and swimming loosens it up and helps keep the dodgy shoulder mobile. This is the most important and possibly the hardest to replace.

I've considered hiring a rowing machine and this is probably my best idea so far. I know it will have the cardio benefits and will work my upper body but I don't know if it will stretch out my shoulders or replace the rotary movements that I get while swimming. It's a reasonable expense to hire (although swimming costs money too) and I'd be locked into at least three months, so I need to be fairly confident of it's usefulness first. I have used them in the past and am currently fit enough to get a decent workout on a rowing machine without hurting myself. Alternatively I could hire something else but space is very limited here so only one piece of machinery is feasible.

The other idea I had is something like pilates or yoga but I don't want to try those without an instructor to make sure my form is correct (going to a class isn't an option). Because of my neck problems the risk of hurting myself is actually quite high.

I am open to adding more exercises to my pressup routine, maybe to supplement rowing or similar machine based stuff. Not much space here for either exercising or equipment storage but I do have hand weights and a small budget for buying stuff. I can't do anything like a situp (I can't hold my head off the ground against gravity) and need to be careful of straining my neck. I exercise with my boyfriend and he can help with the form but they'd need to be reasonably simple or well explained exercises that are easy for us to do properly. And lastly my time and mental energy is already somewhat over committed so long or elaborate exercise routines won't get done.

Comments on my ideas so far would be appreciated. There are probably other ideas out there too, my experience with different types of exercise isn't very wide, so please give other suggestions that fit my criteria. Thanks!

Sheerr Pool lane distances

ootsocsid — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:55:02 -0800

How long is each segment of Sheerr Pool at the University of Pennsylvania? I've been swimming at Sheerr Pool at Penn for the last few weeks, and I'm a little confused about the distances. The pool is a 50-meter pool with a bulkhead in the middle separating each lane into two shorter lanes of a little less than half that distance. The pool website describes the pool as a "50 meter competitive pool with bulkhead for separate aquatic activity spaces, including a 25 yard instructional pool with ramp and stair entrance."

So one side is probably 25 yards, but what about the other? They can't both be 25 yards, because the bulkhead is only a few feet wide, but it would have to be about 4.7 yards wide to make up the distance between 50 meters and 50 yards. So is one side 25 yards and the other 25 meters? If so, which is which?

(I asked the lifeguard today, but he didn't know).

What did you wish you knew going into your first triathlon?

neilkod — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:55:56 -0800

What did you wish you knew going into your first triathlon? I just registered for my first triathlon on Sunday. It's a sprint distance. Ocean swim. I'm a beginning swimmer, a fair runner, and a very experienced cyclist. I don't know anything about transitioning or any of the other aspects of triathlons. I'd love to hear all relevant tips and tricks.

If it helps, I'll be competing in atri suit, asics running shoes, and typical CF-soled cycling shoes. I don't have triathlon-style cycling shoes. I have a decent pair of speedo goggles.

Bonus points for anything that'll turn me into a better swimmer by Sunday morning.

Quack quack, woof woof.

txvtchick — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:09:06 -0800

Does swimming dog + smartass ducks = lost dog? I'd like to let my labs swim more often but am afraid that they'll swim off after a duck and get lost. How can I let them swim without losing them? Have any of you ever lost a dog from taking him or her swimming? And finally, why do ducks seem to enjoy screwing with my dogs?

Tale of two dogs: one black lab male, one chocolate lab female. The male has a solid recall when he's not in the water. The female has, shall we say, selective hearing.

Some time ago, we took the male to Town Lake in Austin and started tossing a tennis ball in for him to chase. When some ducks swam by, he abandoned the ball and started swimming after them.

We called him back to no avail. Soon he was swimming around the middle of the Colorado River, following the ducks around. He did this for about 20 minutes. I couldn't see how he would find his way back to where we were, and worse, he could decide to swim all the way across and exit onto an area with a busy road. We kept calling him and soon nearby joggers and walkers took pity on us and started calling to him, too. It was quite comical. He eventually made his way back, but I've been too scared to take him swimming since then.

A similar thing happened yesterday with the female. I found a cove-like area with no people around, and decided to let her fetch/swim a bit. She did fine until a duck appeared - then she abandoned the ball and swam after the duck. Fortunately she turned around after about 50 yards.

In both cases, the ducks swam in a very leisurely manner, just barelyyyyy out of reach of the dogs, instead of just flying away. Why? I did not see any nests around, but maybe they were leading the dogs away from a nesting area? It looked like the ducks were enjoying themselves in a "la la la la la, you can't catch me" way. Anthropomorphizing, I know.

I don't know of a fenced in area with a pond that we could use. We don't have a swimming pool. I think training a bird dog to ignore ducks is probably an exercise in futility, but I'm open to suggestions. Any ideas? Or should I just give up on taking them swimming?

Water Aerobics Instructional Videos?

alist — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:35:44 -0800

I recently moved to Phoenix and am lucky enough to have a swimming pool in my backyard. It's perfect for water aerobics but not so much for swimming, as one end of the pool is much shallower than the other. I'm looking for good instructional water aerobics videos. Any suggestions? I haven't found much on the web so I'm ok with buying something if it's highly recommended.

splishsplash with purpose

protorp — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:03:22 -0800

2 part swimming question - effective core workouts and open water training. I'm an intermittent keen swimmer and have recently taken the plunge (bdum!) of regular training in the pool again. My motivation is a 2500m open water amateur / charity lake-crossing event in mid-August.

I also practice a wide range of other sports for leisure and at work (adventure holiday company) chiefly snowboarding, walking, mountain biking and climbing.

Question 1: for a bit of variation and ongoing benefit in the other sports I pursue, what exercises can I work into my pool routine to add a decent, more isolated, core muscle workout? I swim crawl and breaststroke fine, my backstroke and butterfly are laughable.

Question 2: what are the most important areas to focus on for making the transition from pool to open water? Specific exercises? I can train in the lake the event will be in at least a couple of times a week, but most of my work will be in the pool.

Thank you in advance hivemind!

Friction baby.

Bathtub Bobsled — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:42:05 -0800

If my fiancée and I are trying to conceive, what type of lubrication should we use? The wedding is less than a month away and she and I are trying to get a jump start on the process. One of the things I've learned is that lubrication can "gum up the works" so to speak, so I was wondering if there was a lubrication that was sperm friendly.

Google has not been a big help on this. Most of the results simply tell me "try to avoid using lubrication", but mechanically, that's just not an option (without going into the painful details). One message board suggested olive oil, but I can't help but think that's a stupid idea, nor can I get the image of Marlon Brando and a stick of butter out of my head.

So, either experiential or biological insight would be a big help.

Already too far from Lake Itasca?

vytae — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:34:29 -0800

There are a couple of gorgeous beaches on the west side of the Mississippi river near Lake Street in south Minneapolis. Is it safe to swim or wade at them? Maybe I'm crazy for considering this, or maybe worrying is silly. Swimming in nonchlorinated water has always squicked me out a bit, so the mental alarms yelling "don't swim there!" are often just crying wolf. I need your more rational judgment to prevail.

Now, I don't want to swim across the river or anything, and I know the current out in the middle is swift. I certainly wouldn't go out far enough to get myself hit by a barge. I just want to cool off. If I stayed near the shoreline, would the water currents/pollutants/pathogens/man-eating-fish be too dangerous? What about wading, is that out of the question?

I know there are lots of other (lake) beaches around the city, but this one is close and relatively deserted at most times. I'd love to be able to bask with a book and then take a dip when the heat overwhelms me, as long as I wasn't risking illness or injury. What say you, twin-citians?

Wetsuit for lake swimming in Spring?

who else — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:53:44 -0800

I am thinking about getting a wetsuit to swim in the lake during the spring. I have never purchased or worn a wetsuit before. I don't know what features to look for, and I don't even really know how much of a difference it will make. I would hate to spend a bunch of money only to find out the lake is still too damn cold.
Bonus points for a website that shows lake temperatures for Ontario (Nottawasaga bay).

Looking really silly vs Superior workout?

dino terror — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:10:49 -0800

Swimming cardio filter: for front crawl where I gasp a breath every 3 strokes, does it make much difference for cardio that I am holding my breath vs being able to breathe freely as I would be able to with a special swimmer's snorkel (the snorkel goes up the middle of your forehead rather than being attached at the side). Anyone got any science on this?

Best immediate treatment for severe wetsuit/nappy rash?

lndl — Sun, 31 May 2009 14:38:56 -0800

What's the best way to immediately treat severe wetsuit rash on neck? Hey all,

I've been a surfer for years. I wear a rash-vest and am careful about choosing my suits and the fit of them. No problems there.
However I'm also a long distance swimmer. In the winter I swim short distances without wetsuit. However in the spring (in Ireland) I have to wear a swimming wetsuit as I swim longer distances before the water gets up to 60F in the summer and I can go without the suit.
I wear a rash-vest under suit and I also put liberal lanolin on my neck (thicker & longer lasting than vaseline or Bodyglide, preferred by swimmers for long distance). However a few hours of swimming will still cause sever neck rash.
After a 2 1/2 hours, 8KM swim yesterday my neck is raw.
I've previously tried Sudocrem & Morhulin, both Zinc Oxide treatments for nappy rash. But they don't really help in the short term. I've used Germoline, a topical off-the-shelf anaesthetic antiseptic mainly to reduce the pain.
Any other suggestions? (Since I'm in Ireland, any suggestions would need to generic rather than specific, unless you know the Irish/UK market) But I'd really appreciate any suggestions.
(Yes, it will pass in 4 to 5 days), I'm thinking about a 5 hour race soon where I'll be completely raw afterwards. (Actually the race is split. I'll be raw and have to get back into a wetsuit for a few further hours swimming.)

To Swim or Not To Swim

LittlePumpkin — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:16:26 -0800

i like to swim, but friends have been lecturing me about the dangers of chlorine -- that it's been linked to cancer, that it's god-awful for your health and well-being, even if not cancerous. does anyone have an informed opinion on this issue?

We can't stop here - this is jellyfish country!

TheNewWazoo — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:30:10 -0800

Have you ever been to the beaches in the Charleston, SC, area in May? Is the water warm enough to swim in, and how clear is it (jellyfish? seaweed? etc)? Should we instead go further down the Atlantic coast to Tybee Island? Is our attempt to find a new beach hopeless? Should we just go back to the Redneck Riviera (read: Gulf Coast)?