Thanks for the tips on swimsuits! I live close to a Dicks, so I will start there to at least figure out what size and style of suit I need.

Tomato, I was better as a kid, too, with not getting water up my nose. I usually did not exhale while swimming (which actually made my breathing less efficient, since I had to exhale *and* inhale when I came up for air) and I could even do somersaults underwater without holding my nose. Maybe kids have smaller nasal passages or higher air pressure in their sinuses or something? Anyway, now I exhale steadily the whole time my face is down.

You could also think about a noseplug--then you wouldn't risk a mid-lap nose failure!

Oh I love swimming!! Such great exercise, though the sun block preparation kind of makes me not to go. At the pool I go to, there's this guy there that also totally ruins it for me. He used to be a swim coach and still thinks he is, so he stands on the side lines and barks oders at you, even though you are not working with him, he assumes you are.

There a couple of people who let him coach them and follows his oders, but I'm not once of them. Also, during the time I can go, there's a swim team there also, so only a few lanes are open fo adults. So I usually end up swimming with those who are working with this guy, because I have no other option. But it's really annoying he tries to bark orders at me, to do certain strokes, watches how I swim, will make comments, etc. I'm no champion swimmer and just like to do my own thing, and this guy totally ruins it for me.

Wanted to add... I'm also looking for an underwater MP3 player. I didn't find one, however, I did find this great link. This is a water proof arm band for your existing mp3 player. It also comes with waterproof headphones. A little pricey (80 dollars!) but I think it might be worth it if you're serious about it. I want one!!!

http://h2oaudio.com/

Originally Posted by Tomato:
I swim. I used to swim on a regular basis about 7 years ago, then stopped and now I have returned to the pool. I am pretty good in terms of endurance, I usually swim laps for 45 minutes without any break. But I can swim only breast stroke - when I was a kid, I had no problem holding my breath under water (i remember that I was able to float with my face in water, with my back up - and then somehow I lost the ability. I would love to be able to swim crawl but I have to master the breathing first somehow. It seems to me that the moment my face is underwater all the water just rushes into my nose (unless I hold my nose - well, that's no way to swim crawl LOL.) Any tips, ladies?

You actually don't want to hold your breath while your face is in the water, like LisaJean says, you want to be exhaling through your nose. If you are blowing air out your nose, water can't go up it. It's also more efficient and less work for you (it's hard to exercise while holding your breath). I would practice it just standing with your feet on the bottom of the pool, not even trying to stroke until it feels comfortable. Just put your face in the water and blow air out your nose, turn your face to the side and inhale, put your face back in the water an exhale through your nose, etc. This allows you to really focus on your breathing. Once you have that down, add your crawl stroke but still while you are standing. When I taught swim lessons, I would have my students do this while holding onto the wall--one arm strokes while one arm holds onto the wall, then the other arm strokes while the other arm holds onto the wall. Once that feels comfortable, try it while swimming.

Barbara,

Thank you! I will try to practice that the next I make it to the pool. They just changed the hours (for July & August) so the lane swim is so inconvenient and I just may have to wait until September when they return to normal hours. But I have saved your suggestions - thanks again. And I also wanted to say (when I wrote my previous post) that it was nice to see posting again but of course I forgot.

Alena

Glitterducky, that is really creepy about the wannabe/used-to-be coach. I'm surprised the pool supervision (lifeguards or whatever) let him get away with that. I can't imagine you're the only person annoyed by it. I can see why you want an underwater music player!