Any swimmers?

I just started at the YMCA a few weeks ago and I finally found a store that has swim suits in stock, lol. So, I bought the swimsuit, goggles, swim cap, and water resistant watch (because I can't see the wall clock with out my glasses). I'm wondering what kind of routine you all do. Today I was in there for about 30 minutes. The first 15 I kind of just swam the different styles getting used to them again since I haven't swam since high school, then I guess they had to clean/test the pool for 15 minutes so I sat in the sauna, lol. Then for the last 15 minutes, I did 100 m freestyle, 100 m breast stroke, 100 m backstroke, then repeated that. Does that sound like a good starting point? My arms and legs feel little tired now but not bad at all. Next time should I do 200 m of each? What do you do?? I usually run on the treadmill 3-4 miles, so I'm wanting to swim at least once a week in replacement of that (I know it doesn't burn as many calories but that's fine). Any other tips are welcome!

I usually do laps then relax in the sauna for 30- 45 minutes. I hate going to the early am because all the old guys congrate at the end of the lanes talking its a little annoying

Quoting Mrs cree:" I usually do laps then relax in the sauna for 30- 45 minutes. I hate going to the early am because all the old guys congrate at the end of the lanes talking its a little annoying"

lol, there were several old people just chit chatting during their "work out". What about keeping you skin from drying out? I have trouble with my nose and around my mouth beeing dry and it's already worse right now after only using the pool once  

And do you put ear plugs in to keep the water out, or have any issues with that?

I don't use ear plugs but I use a water based moisturizer my skin is really sensitive it's called Eco crystal gel hard to find if you can try a moisturizer with lanolin. I use a leave in spray conditioner to protect my hair from the chlorine

I swim! (Even now, when I'm pregnant, I just swim very slowly)

Where you are sound like a great starting point...It totally depends on what you are swimming for. If it's for fun, to keep in shape, then you're doing quite nicely. You can add the extra meters if you want to, but it's not necessary.

If you're training, then that's another matter entirely. I think I was swimming 2800 meters 3-4 days a week when I was training, and swam dependent on what my time was the previous swim. (Don't measure your swim times in different strokes to each other. What you want to do if you're trying to get faster is to record your times in each stroke, and that'll give you an idea of where you are in each) So if I swam a slower backstroke than usual last swim, I'll swim my backstroke more this time.

I do where earplugs, but I do it more to block out the sound so I can just enjoy silence for a little bit...But don't cheap out on the earplugs, because it gets really annoying when you have to swim around trying to find your cheapie earplugs due to the fact that they couldn't stay in your ears.

Quoting Mrs cree:" I don't use ear plugs but I use a water based moisturizer my skin is really sensitive it's called Eco ... [snip!] ... hard to find if you can try a moisturizer with lanolin. I use a leave in spray conditioner to protect my hair from the chlorine"

K, thanks so much! I used the swim cap but I noticed my hair was a little wet after I took it off. I'm sure it's at least better than no cap at all though.

Quoting Boots+3:" I swim! (Even now, when I'm pregnant, I just swim very slowly) Where you are sound like a great starting ... [snip!] ... when you have to swim around trying to find your cheapie earplugs due to the fact that they couldn't stay in your ears."

lol, thanks for the tip. I probably won't bother with them unless I notice an issue.

I'm swimming to add diversity to my exercise routine. I usually run a few miles and then do strength training. I work out about 5 days a week. I just want to replace some running with swimming to get a lower impact/full body work out. It's always helpful to me to have a goal, so I may start timing myself and see how I'm progressing!

When I use to swim, it was always based off my times.
Swimming for meters was just relaxing and not a workout for me. I could have been there all day.
But, when I'm trying to swim against my times, I have to push myself so it's such a better workout.