Indoor Swimming Locations

[keaveny]

I am looking for a place close to home (Richfield) and work (Broadview Hts.) for a membership to swim indoors this winter.

Broadview Hts. Rec. Center is about four minutes from my office and would be perfect. However, the lap swims go the width of the pool (20 ft.) rather than the length (25 yards) apparently because the depth of the shallow end is only 2ft. They did say that one guy swims the length anyhow whenever there is nobody "lap" swimming the width at the same time.

So, my first reaction is that lap swimming 20 feet is useless and I would never pay for a membership to do this.

However, I am not paying for the membership, my company is.

Is there another location I should look at that is comparitively close, or is "free" swimming (even at 20 feet) worthwhile, especially given that the location is so convenient.

I am salivating at the idea of being able to swim every morning if I want and not disrupt my daily routine to do so, but will it be a waste?

[keaveny]

I suppose it would be helpful to cover where I am in my training (or maybe it would make no difference at all).

I am a newbie and I mean NEWBIE. Especially on the swim.

I have been doind a lot of bricks and I am comfortable with a 20mph bike pace (give or take 2mph) and an 8:15 run at sprint distances.

I am real happy with my progress there. I think I can actually go faster in a race (actually the bigger challenge will probably be to dial it back and not go too fast, and end up walking to the finish).

However, I have spent virtually no time in the water.

Oh and there is the no small personal considerations that I am building a house that will take me into the winter and our eighth child is due in January. So I am also trying to be realistic that the pool must be close to home and work.

I feel real good about doing a Sprint Tri, but I MUST get wet this winter.

[MarkD]

8th Child.... Dude.... good luck finding time to do ANY swimming.

[keaveny]

MarkD said:

8th Child.... Dude.... good luck finding time to do ANY swimming.

Dude, 8th child is exactly why I need a hobby like this. And I need to be intrepid in my training.

I prefer to stay married to my wife (for the moment), so if I can swim (even 20ft at a time) 4 minutes from my office, I am trying to find a reason to do it.

Seriously, my wife is very supportive, and I am really wondering for a complete newbie like me, if this scenario is even worthwhile (not having 8 kids but swimming 20ft at a time).

[Aussie Rob]

Anything is better than nothing, and if it's free and convienient give it a go until you can find something better.

[keaveny]

rob said:

Anything is better than nothing, and if it's free and convienient give it a go until you can find something better.

If I am not mistaken swimming is your strong suit so coming from you that helps.

I have no clue what I am doing in the water, but I had this vision of taking three strokes and a flip turn with twenty feet to work with.

[chuckm]

Good swim option in Broadview Hts, near 82 & 77 is Peak Performance. Not cheap, but very nice club with lots of FAST triathletes.

www.peakperformancecenter.com/

[keaveny]

chuckm said:

Good swim option in Broadview Hts, near 82 & 77 is Peak Performance. Not cheap, but very nice club with lots of FAST triathletes.

www.peakperformancecenter.com/

What does "Not cheap" mean? I am not a FAST triathlete, but that is the goal.

[MarkD]

Lets see... 20 feet = ~ 7 yards.

3 years ago, I began swimming in a 40 foot (~14 yard) pool and trained my entire first season doing it (until warm weather and open water swims). I survived. By the end of the tri season, because of the OW swims, I began feeling comfortable with a 1/2 mile swim. I honestly couldn't imagine trying to swim in a smaller pool. 7 yards just seems incredibly too short - even for drills.

On another note: If you're looking for a good starter reference, buy "Total Immersion" - great book to start learning freestyle techinique.

md

[chuckm]

I'm the ultimate cheapskate. Haven't checked in a few years, but their membership rates were too high for me, but it is a great club.

[keaveny]

The price at Peak Performance wasn't bad; $54/mo. However, they are closing their indoor pool and there will be no indoor swimming option for at least the next 6 months.

They are considering enclosing their outdoor pool, but not in the very near future.

He is also unaware of any other local swimming options in the immediate vicinity.

[watchman]

8 kids seems kinda radical. What are the ages?
Are you going to have more?
It says something about your wife ( good ), that she supports your training.

mike

[keaveny]

watchman said:

8 kids seems kinda radical. What are the ages?
Are you going to have more?
It says something about your wife ( good ), that she supports your training.

mike

Oldest just turned 11. Youngest is due January 25. And I am 34.

Impressive, eh?

I am a radical guy! My wife is the one that is the problem...not me. She is insatiable!

There is no business I cannot be a multi-millionaire at with slave (my kids) labor.

And you thought I was crazy!

[watchman]

What are the rest of the ages?
and how many boys and how many girls?
any twins?

mike

[keaveny]

watchman said:

What are the rest of the ages?
and how many boys and how many girls?
any twins?

mike

I can barely remember their names and you are asking for their ages? All about 1.5 years apart. No twins.

Would you like my SS# too? Are you attempting to steal my identity?

[watchman]

Actually I am asking you the same questions I get asked.
I have 13 kids ages 20, 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 11, 10, 8, 7, 5, 3, 2 and # 14 is on the way.
* boys and 5 girls.
I am 45. You are actually ahead of me though. At 34 we were on # 6.

I just started training for a triathlon. For the past 5 years I had done mostly weight lifting but I wanted more endurance and less weight.

I am trying to get my wife and kids to do this with me.

sorry for the questions. It is rare to find someone else who is not brainwashed against having kids.

mike

[psquared]

I would be afraid to swim in the same pool as you guys. I have 3 and want to keep it that way.

[keaveny]

watchman said:

Actually I am asking you the same questions I get asked.
I have 13 kids ages 20, 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 11, 10, 8, 7, 5, 3, 2 and # 14 is on the way.
* boys and 5 girls.
I am 45. You are actually ahead of me though. At 34 we were on # 6.

I just started training for a triathlon. For the past 5 years I had done mostly weight lifting but I wanted more endurance and less weight.

I am trying to get my wife and kids to do this with me.

sorry for the questions. It is rare to find someone else who is not brainwashed against having kids.

mike

I thought you were either attempting to steal my identity or you had a large family yourself and were being sarcastic.

You forget a typical question, by the way; "Are these all yours?"

And my reply; "As far as I know."

It's a lot of fun having a big family and, hey, you have the upside of out-breeding your enemies.

My wife is very good to me, and as long as I am home most nights then work and working out are not a problem.

But triathlon is a much greater level of commitment (unless you are content with sprints).

Quite frankly, I don't think I want to be away from the kids while training a couple hours a night. I am doing this because it is a competitive way for me to keep healthy and stay around for my kids.

It is all a balance.

[keaveny]

psquared said:

I would be afraid to swim in the same pool as you guys. I have 3 and want to keep it that way.

I am incredibly potent, even when I mean not to be. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[watchman]

The key is to include the kids.
Mine are old enough that they are beginning to equal and pass me in some things.
I always take one or two when I run, Bike and swim. I am trying to get them to do a Tri. with me. The swimming is where they lack. I have 5 boys ages 20, 16, 15, 14, 13. The two oldest are over 6' 1". My goal is to stay ahead of them and be with them.
The physical benefits I am looking for are not now but when I am 50 , 60, and 70. I would like to do this the rest of my life. My wife stuck with me doing the weight lifting the past 4 years but she is not into the swim, bike , run. She will go with me on the run and bike but at such a slow pace it is like we are alone. I am sure most people reading this are not interested in all our kids.
E-mail me I have another question for you
at [e-mail]

as far as the post about wanting to stay away from ust o avoid having more kids. You would not say that if you knew what it was like to have so many kids. 13 is easier than 3 kids. The older ones help with the younger. I can mow my lawn, rake my leaves and shovel my driveway and never sweat. They all help and do it with the right attitude. They all do their own wash, with the older helping the younger. It is a blast to be on a men's softball team and play third base with one son at short stop, the other at second base, and another at first and have all 4 of us hit home runs in the same game.
I think kids keep you young. When I hold a newborn or lay on the floor with a toddler it is like I am 25 again. It is a badge of honor to have this many.

mike

[sarajean]

watchman said:

She will go with me on the run and bike but at such a slow pace it is like we are alone.

Have you tried running while she accompanies you on a bicycle?

[watchman]

sarajean said:

watchman said:

She will go with me on the run and bike but at such a slow pace it is like we are alone.

Have you tried running while she accompanies you on a bicycle?

That is a great idea. I feel stupid that I never thought of that.

mike