Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Sequel: 7 More WTF/Duh!/Huh? Moments/Observations About Pool Running.

A follow-up to my previous post.
  1. The overweight butterfly swimmer is the natural enemy of the dedicated pool-runner.
  2. It's pretty easy to distinguish between pool-runners and aqua-aerobics aficionados.   The latter wear a blissful, at peace expression, and are regularly heard to comment: "this is such great exercise!"  The former possess a haunted, driven look, and are perpetually muttering "this isn't enough - I'm losing so much fitness!"
  3. One benefit of pool-running for those who are high mileage -- bathing suits are cheaper than running shoes, and last longer.
  4. To the mother I encountered at the pool a few months back: if you insist on bringing your 4-5 year old son into the ladies locker room (despite the nice collection of large family changing rooms), do not get pissed off at me when I casually strip my bathing suit off in front of his widening eyes.
  5. No matter how cold the water is, I assure you it will feel fine within 90 seconds of getting in.  So, grit your teeth and do it -- you're going to be at the pool long enough anyway without wasting another 5 minutes.
  6. I've decided that the debate about belt versus belt-less pool-running is the equivalent of the barefoot running debate on land.   In the modified words of Malmo -- "just pool-run, baby."
  7. Sure conversational ice-breaker in the pool when you see a fellow pool-runner -- "So, what are you in here for?"

7 comments:

  1. UGH #1!!!!
    ha to them all, esp #4! Seriously!

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  2. LOVE #1. That is so, so true!

    And I want to know what chemicals they use at your pools that don't destroy your bathing suits. Mine are completely stretched and threadbare after about 20 uses. :-(

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  3. the "overweight butterfly swimmer" is the natural enemy of EVERYONE, just FYI.

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  4. hahaha....love the overweight butterfly swimmer!!
    and the mom's that bring in lil boys in the lady's locker room, it's as uncomfortable as naked locker room talk....please don't! lol

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  5. LOL.

    I recently started pool running and predictably have to stop at 30mins due to calf cramps.

    Any advice?

    - rovatti

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  6. Hi Rovatti -- I don't have much issue with calf cramps myself when pool-running, and those that I did have were mild annoyances that could be ignored.

    How are you holding your feet? I know some people (especially those with swimming backgrounds) tend to really clench their feet and scrunch their toes -- if you're doing that, that might be a factor.

    I always hold my feet in a "plantar-flexed" position, but with the toes pulled up -- basically I envision myself pushing down through the ball of the foot with each "step".

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