Can I do this ?

[Grimreaper]

Hi everyone

First I need to tell you all that I don’t know how to swim . It may look strange to many but in my childhood I was afraid and never went to swimming .

I tried to learn when I was 33 yr . Left the course after 4 days as I saw 6 to 7 year kids looking at me with amazement that I was struggling to rotate my legs and was breathless in no time . It was too much to take.

Now since I m trying to quit I want to learn swimming to improve my lung capacity . I m already working on C25K (struggling but managing it somehow ) on week 2 now . Did W2R1 successful in second attempt.

I need advice from you guys , will I be able to do it this time .i m afraid as swimming put too much pressure on lungs . My intention is to keep alternating in one day jog and one day swim. I m 37 now with no prior exercise routine in past (since last 18 years or so ) . But doing walk and mild jogging for last 21 days post my quit.

Pls help and suggest

Regards

[Mumsygill Graduate]

Morning grimreaper .

I think that’s a wonderful thing to do. It sounds like the perfect compliment to running every other day.

Do you a swimming teacher to help you?

We all say” take no notice of others “ but I know personally how crushing it can be to have people watching/ making fun of you. You’ve taken a massive step forward starting this running plan and you CAN start swimming again.

Think of the benefits and sheer pleasure it will give you.

Dig deep and go for it !

[Grimreaper in reply to Mumsygill]

Thanks a lot . I have asked my father to coach me this time and will be doing very early morning to avoid crowd .

Let’s see how it goes .

[Jullaly Graduate]

Swimming will really improve lung capacity and great all round exercise. Great idea to get your dad involved too, he will boost your confidence just having him there

[Jell6 Graduate]

I have always been a terrible swimmer, exhausted too soon and always dragging seemingly useless legs along for the ride.

I have just started looking for adult swimming lessons, as I feel my improved stamina could make all the difference, plus my legs may want to get involved now😂😂😂😂

[Hidden]

I’d suggest finding a teacher you like who’ll show you good technique. A lot of the battle is in moving through the water efficiently and letting it support you. Also get comfortable, get some decent goggles and a swimming costume you like. I swim in a legsuit as at my age I want some coverage. Then build up slowly. The swimming version of couch to 5k, in fact. You’re never too old to learn - I’m still improving at almost 54.

If you’ve got through 2 weeks of c25K you will succeed at swimming too. Your lung capacity will improve steadily. Just take it slowly, you can do it.

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I wish I could show you the costume I just got off Amazon. It's one step away from a mop cap and a musical 😂😂😂😂

[Hidden in reply to Jell6]

Mine is straight out of the 1930s..... though fortunately made out stretchy stuff rather than wool. 😂

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

🤣🤣🤣

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Good for you! I don't particularly enjoy swimming (although I love being in water), it's deathly dull compared with running but feel it is worth doing. I only started to make progress once I accepted goggles and adapted to putting my face in the water (I'm noise sensitive and I still struggle with the noise of my breath out under water) so I agree with Hidden .

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Swimming is a brilliant complement to your running.

C25K will build your self belief and you will realise that you are capable of far more than you formerly believed. We all limit our lives by telling ourselves that we can't do certain things............remove the negativity and we can live in a different world.

YES!!! You can do this!!

[oldwheezer69 Graduate]

Hi, I am asthmatic and have found that this C25K is really improving my asthma. You have a very supportive forum here to help you with your running, and if you can find some support to help you swim on your running rest days that would be brilliant.. Maybe try an adult swimming class?..... Both running and swimming are about confidence and technique... The strength will come later. Good running posture, good running shoes, good stretches afterwards... Good swimming goggles, learning a good swimming stroke technique which works for you... I was a rubbish swimmer until someone taught me a different technique and within weeks I was swimming a mile! I was a rubbish runner until people on this forum gave lots of advice and I have just come back from week 5 run 1 (couldn't run for a bus 5 weeks ago!). Good luck and keep posting your progress here... We are with you all the way!! 😃

[Grimreaper in reply to oldwheezer69]

Thanks a lot to everyone .

Will go for it . And will go for pro swimming course (which keeps happening at our society swimming club) once I can keep my self afloat may be in a week or two . (Need to know basic stuff) . Swimming goggles I have from last time effort .

I am doing it . Love the support I’m getting from this forum

[Hidden]

Do keep going because other than being physically good for you, when you get to a certain point swimming will give you the same psychological buzz as running. Go for it!