SPLASHDOWN AT LUNCHTIME

The Legends midday swim session has been continuing twice a week for some 15 years. It started before it became fashionable to have swim lanes in pools.

Our current attendances range from 5 to 20 folk of differing ability. Many join by accident having visited for a casual swim, asked what we were doing and then having joined in find that their swim ability, technique and endurance improves -not to mention the fun and motivation they gain from becoming regulars at the Tuesday and Thursday sessions.

Approximately a third of the gathering either run or cycle on intervening days and they find that even at a modest level the cross-training helps each discipline and avoids injury through overuse. It does not, however, create perfectly sculptured bodies as swimming and running combined still require circuits or weights to keep a well-toned upper body. This creates yet another pressure of time and motivation.

Our swim sessions range from 1500-2000 meters in the 45 minutes available and the format is arranged for average endurance on freestyle rather than sprint ability in any one stroke. Having said that, most participants push themselves within their own ability and get a 'buzz' out of reaching their goal for that day, week or month. 

The squad benefits from the input of two coaches, Neill Grainger and Willie Noteman. The two minds create different sessions each week thereby relieving the boredom and achieving modest gains through seasonal progressive overload, attention to technique and the use of swim drills.

Thoughts for newcomers: Be patient. It will take time to improve. Try to learn to breathe on both sides (bilaterally). Many of us can't but those who can are at an advantage as it improves streamlining through the water and reduces resistance.
Ask someone who knows to analyse your stroke and then get them to give you feedback.

Remember, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks if you know what the tricks are and if the dog wants to learn. However, spaniels will always swim better than greyhounds !

Times and Location