After reading three chapters of Total Immersion I was ready to dip my toe into the world of swim training. On Friday I used the last afternoon of my week off work to head to the local pool and start swimming like a pro in my quest to become a triathlete. I had all the gear: a one-piece swimming suit (something I haven’t worn since puberty), goggles, a swimming cap and a nose clip. But I also had very little idea what I was doing.
The book attempts to teach Total Immersion swimming in a similar manner to which martial arts and taught – by only letting you do one small component at a time and making you practice it until you can move on to the next. Coincidentally I’d waxed on and waxed off before I headed to the pool. I’m the ultimate karate swimmer.
Lesson one consisted of me floating on my back with my arms by my sides, swimming a length like that and then floating on each my side with my arms by my sides and swimming a length like that. The grand finale was a length floating on each side for a few seconds before switching to the other side and then repeating.
Despite the pool not being very busy I felt hugely self-conscious, and not because of the unflattering one-piece bathing suit, nose clip and goggles combo. I’d forgotten what it felt like in those early days of starting running – I remembered the pain and exhaustion of trying to run for five minutes non-stop, but had forgotten how convinced I was that everyone was looking at me and judging me.
Of course, I now know that the only person judging me was myself. When I see other runners out that are clearly taking their first tentative steps towards running a mile or two, I don’t judge I think ‘good on you, keep at it’. But being in the unknown environment of a swimming pool and doing some very unconventional swimming I felt like a complete beginner again, because I am, and it sucked.
The idea of ever being able to swim for a mile it seems near impossible to me right now. But I once felt that way about running 26 miles, so for now I’ll keep practicing painting the fence.
I can barely swim a length normally – that sounds hardcore! Good luck with it, keep us update eh?
You’re braver than me. I can do a pretty good breast stroke but have lost all ability to front crawl without almost drowning. I keep saying I’m going to practice my arms and breathing stationary at the edge of the pool but I feel like such an idiot. I’m going to have to do it though because I want to be as strong as I used to be and thinking about it isnt going to help me improve. I might just go for it next time I go swimming. So what if I make a fool out of myself. It can’t be as bad as singing along to songs as I run last people when I’m struggling.
Keep wkg. I was right there a few years aog. Now training for first IM in July. Spot on w running comparison. “Show me Paint the fence…”
Wow, good luck with the IronMan training Tom.
TI is great, and the early exercises do really help. I know what you mean though about feeling a little silly 🙂