I swam 1200 meters today and it took me 30 minutes and 9 seconds, a 2:30/100 pace. Do you know anybody else in the world who swims this slow??? Neither do I. Okay, maybe there are people in the world who swim this slow, but as far as I can tell, nobody else is admitting it on their blogs. It’s embarrassing, to be honest.
I am so not a swimmer. I took maybe one summer of lessons as a kid (and hated it). We built a pool in our backyard and I rarely used it. At the beginning of this summer, the farthest I had ever swum at one time was about 600 meters. At my very first tri in 2008, it took me 12 minutes to get out of the water for a 400 meter swim. The very first time I made it all the way to 1200 meters, it took me 35:40 – oh, yeah, baby, that’s a smokin’ 2:58/100 pace!
Okay, so, objectively, I am making progress. It’s just *ahem* slow progress. Yes, I totally get that good things come to those who wait, the tortoise beats the hare, and even that practice makes perfect. What. Ever. I have never been accused of being a patient person and I want to be a faster swimmer NOW!
I know what you’re thinking, “It takes hard work to get better.” Believe me, I totally get that. It took me nine long months to lose 30 pounds. It was well over a year of riding before I could consistently average over 16 mph on my bike and it’s taken me four years of regular running to crack 8 minute miles. There’s no such thing as a Speed Fairy, magically bestowing her gifts on me. Bummer.
My secret weapon in this War On Slowness is that I’m persistent. Some (like The Hubs, just for a totally hypothetical example…) might even call me stubborn. So, I’ll get there. Someday. It just might take me awhile…
Alma F. says
Ummm…I swam 1200 m on Saturday and it took me 30 minutes so you’re in GOOD company! I’m hoping to sign up for some lessons this fall. I hate feeling like I’m busting my arse and getting nowhere. Too inefficient.
misszippy says
Guess you don’t want to hear “give it time,” huh? It will come with your persistence!
Patrick Mahoney says
you know at least one other, me. That’s pretty much where I end up unless the stars are aligned perfectly…
ann says
I have no clue what a good swim time/pace is….but at least you are out there! I’m doing my first TRI in oct. and I have NO CLUE how that swim is going to go 🙂
Teamarcia says
Oh I think you’re awesome. I have yet to do anything more than dog paddle!
Johann says
Swimming 1200m is awesome enough, not even thinking about how long it takes. A lot of non-runners can walk/run 1k, but no non-swimmers can swim 1200m. You’re doing great!
Java Joggers says
Listen to the other commenters… AT LEAST YOU GET OUT THERE AND SWIM! (I’m a chicken about swimming!) Your running and biking history show that you will improve your times… give yourself a pat on the back and be proud of your progress 🙂
Heather says
“Do you know anyone else in the world who swims this slow?” Um, yes, ME. During my open water swim last Saturday I was swimming so slow I seriously thought I was on some sort of water treadmill. Literally NOT MOVING. I’m hoping another winter of swimming regularly at the pool will help improve my speed.
Jon says
I have learned that it takes YEARS to get that speed, unless you were a speedie person in your younger days in regards to running and biking. With swimming, doing drills and taking swim workshops helped iron out the mechanics. Its all about being efficient with your swim form.
Ron says
Hey girl dont be so hard on yourself. Progress is progress. One thing that may help is swimming intervals. Same process as running just adding some “speed” work to your program may just make that swimming speed pick up. Keep pounding away it WILL pay off.
The Green Girl says
Girl, the last time I went swimming, I swam up and back and nearly collapsed. When I told a friend I did two laps, they had to break the news to me that back and forth is only one lap.
I started out doing a 30 minute mile and I’m slowly but surely improving. Sure, people often ask me how is it possible for me to run so slow but when I invite them out to run with me to witness my ‘impossibly slow running’, they never take me up on my offer.
We are out there doing the best that we can and that’s all that matters!
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me) says
I struggle with swimming too, so you are definitely not alone! The good thing is that you are making progress! Yay! I too wish speedier swim times would happen sooner, but it just takes time…ugh! Keep up the good work! 🙂
ajh says
It sounds like you are going in the right direction. I am impressed with your work at it.
joyRuN says
I’m very happy with a 2:30 pace in the pool – it’s a huge improvement from last year, & it’s all thanks to the local swim club & getting in the pool.
Now if I can just consistently hit 18-19mph on the bike…
There’s always something, isn’t there?
RockStarTri says
You are doing fine. Realize though that swimming is different than biking and running in that frequency (how often you seem) is more important than duration for improvement. Also, form corrections can lead to dramatic changes.
I’ll never run 8 minute miles. Ever.
Julie says
You could totally kick my butt! At least you can swim….I can do the dog paddle, front float and back float:) Seriously, I am the worst swimmer you will ever meet! I think that you are doing great! The more you swim the better you will get. You already have a great run and spin! Keep it up!
Happy Feet 26.2 says
Great post. Love the attitude – keep that persistent and stubborn drive, and you will arrive at the goal. (spoken from someone who ran 15 marathons to finally BQ)
I’m curious about your fall schedule. Have you attempted running 3 marathons in 3 months before? I’m curious about the recovery between each marathon. I was going to attempt it last fall, but fell down and hurt my hip, and had to cancel the 2nd and 3rd marathon.
wendy_kresha@charter.net says
I am slow, slow, slow. Ok, so when I actually swim, I am slow. The other times I am standing in the lake wishing I were someplace else, lol! I am thinking I might end up side-stroking the whole swim for the tri…