“If you think your sport is hard, try doing it while holding your breath.”
This phrase couldn’t have rung truer in the last couple of weeks as I have got back into the pool with a few of the boys from CrossFit with the New Zealand CrossFit Team Nationals just around the corner in October.
For those a bit apprehensive of taking the plunge, it is important to note that swimming is a great low-impact exercise with a tonne of benefits, from strengthening your shoulders to improving lung function.
Case in point, I’m helping a number of team mates and training buddies in the lead up to the team nationals to work on being more efficient with their stroke or simply, find the courage to get in the water.
I guess having been a competitive swimmer for well over a decade during my childhood/teens, I took for granted just what fitness is required to even thrash out a few lengths let alone the dreaded 2km time trials we did on a regular basis.
So, with speedos, googles and pasty legs showing it was time to get back in the water and see if I still had what it takes. And you know what, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Note* Not to the level of ‘I want to go train everyday’ like the younger me did but ‘I’ll happily take part in a weekly splash’ to vary the training regime.
Here is a rough outline of the most recent sessions I (and the boys for the second session) managed to get through:
Session one
- 5 x 100m freestyle
- 4 x 50m backstroke
- 6 x 50m freestyle (fast) on 1:00min
- 2 x 100m freestyle (moderate)
Session two
- 400m freestyle (warm-up)
- 10 x 25m sprint followed by 10 press-ups (To be completed within 1:00min)
With this rekindled love for the water and chasing the black line I’ll be sure to keep you posted on our aquatic antics and the multiple health benefits.