Swimming Pool Project – Learning to Swim in the Fastlane

Swimming in the current generated by the Endless Pool Fastlane is both fun and challenging.  Just prior to switching to swimming at home in my Tuff pool, with the Fastlane, I was able to swim a total of 1.3 miles.  Specifically, this was freestyle stroke in the 25 yard lap pool, which included some drills and some distance swim sets of up to 750 meters comfortably (no flip turns).  Also, it hasn’t been too long since I have swum continuously for a mile in the lap pool.  I have  gone swimming in open water several times without significant trouble, except for one windy day last summer in a wetsuit, when I got sea sick.  We had even done a test swim in a friend’s Endless Pool before deciding to buy our set-up, so I was surprised to have to problem solve a few things about swimming in the Fastlane current.

The biggest issue was that I was getting sea sick after 15 to 20 minutes in the pool. Lest this unduly concern others, I should explain how easily I get nauseated.

1. I still, at age 51, get car sick if I’m not in the front seat.
2. I have been known to jump ship on a whale watching excursion because I was so sick, all I could think of was swimming 1/4 mile to shore.
3. I get sick to my stomach if I get tired.
4. I become nauseated if my bath water is too hot.
5. My stomach rebels if certain foods are not cooked well enough.
6. Yes, I had fairly severe morning sickness when pregnant, and
7. I even now feel ill when my hormones fluctuate.

But, I had only ever had very minimal trouble in the lap pool, and that only if I spent too much time with a back style stroke.  Never when doing the crawl stroke.

Adjusting the Fastlane, compared to the water level, took care of a lot of my motion sickness.  The Fastlane still wobbles a smidge, as the machine rocks slightly against the foam piece holding it at the proper angle.  There are plans to make this more stable.  Now I can make it 30 minutes and am more limited by my ability to swim correctly in the current.

So, I am trying to evaluate what is different about swimming in the Fastlane current.  I already know what is fun.  It is fun:

• to swim outdoors
• to swim at home
• to play with the current
• to be able to use the mirror and see the clouds at the same time
• to try to learn how to keep swimming without stopping at the end of the lane to turn around
• to have the radio playing

But, alas, that is also part of the challenge.

• There is no few seconds rest while I turn at the end of a lane.
• It is harder to keep track of how long I’ve been swimming, without coming up and looking at my watch.
• I can’t hear the radio when I’m swimming.
• The current can tend to push me to the side.
• The current seems like it makes my feet sink more easily.
• There is still enough water movement that breathing takes more concentration, but hopefully this is preparing me for open water conditions.
• I haven’t found the Fastlane motor speed at which I can swim without gaining or losing on the current.
• I will still have twinges of sea sickness when I am getting more tired, and thus not staying as straight on in the current.
• I have not been able to practice open water sighting skills yet.

I have determined at least a few things that help me and allow me to make progress:

1. I must have a slight flutter kick going, with an accentuated kick when I stroke.  (I was previously only using a two beat kick)
2. Using the mirror helps me keep straight, extend from the shoulder better (streamlines and points me), and gives me something to focus on to avoid nausea.
3. Swimming up closer to the Fastlane seems to be where the current is most direct and flat, making it easier to to stay aligned.
4. I must remember, and be encouraged to know, that if I swim a time period of more than how long one lap would take me, without coming up for a breather, I am making progress.
5. Sometimes, counting strokes helps me increase my interval time, but it is boring and detracts from being able to think about my form.
6. When I do stop, getting my feet planted on the bottom right away helps counteract any threatening nausea.
7. I still need to think about balance and relative relaxation in the water, and not be fighting the current.
8. I must take control of the pull, and not let the current take control of my arm.

I don’t like running on a treadmill.  It is monotonous, noisy, and requires such absolute pacing.  The spinning bike is much better, partly because I am always in charge of my own speed and effort.  I have high hopes for Fastlane swimming.  I can be  a dolphin swimming upstream, playing with the motion of the water.  Who knows, some day the neighbors may look out and wonder what sort of creature is swimming in my pool!  😉