Joggers want fruit while swimmers want biscuits?

Such is the claim according to new research into how our bodies react to different types of exercise. Dr. David Stensel, the UK’s “leading sports scientist” argues that “the body tends to respond to exercise so it can do it more efficiently in future”:
The lighter you are, the better for long-distance running, so your [...]

Finding Joy in the Slow Lane

This morning I swam my first miler in WEEKS. The pool was crowded, but somehow I felt the Zen. Maybe it was this bit I watched/read on MizFit about finding your joy. She asks:
And your joy? How do you find it? Are you already able to bring to mind these feelings (physical & [...]

Goggles

I have been swimming most days recently. I’ve been through a few pairs of goggles too.
One pair of Zoggs broke within a couple of months. Another pair of cheap Speedo Kicks were tinted too dark, my fault for not thinking about that, but they also fogged up something terrible.
I’ve settled on a pair of colourless [...]

A mix of exercises

Just a quick note, I’ve been walking and running and swimming. Doing some push ups and even and few pull ups of late. That’s really good and all but not very interesting in and of itself.
It’s just that my ankle started to get really sore with all the walking and running.
And because I’ve started blending [...]

The Trouble with Triathlons

This last year I’ve been swimming regularly and cycling every day. More recently, I began running. I’ve thought about doing a triathlon, but I’m a little worried. I should feel great from all this exercise, but often I feel sluggish and stiff. Am I not stretching enough? Sleeping enough? [...]

The Ups and Downs of Heart Rate Monitor Training

An article in today’s NY Times discusses the various pros and cons of heart rate monitor training. In my experience, heart rate monitors only work if you know your own maximum and minimum heart rate. There’s a pretty good book that explains how to do this called (and you’ll forgive the title) Heart [...]

Speedo LZR Racer: The World’s Fastest Swimsuit

The new Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit is being hailed as the “world’s fastest swimsuit” as athletes wearing the swimsuit have broken three world records within a week of its debut.
Even if I won’t be joining the 2012 Olympic hopefuls in purchasing the £320 suit, I can’t deny that the research from Speedo’s “AQUALAB” is pretty [...]

Swim Lesson 6: Less is more

Attendance is dwindling at my Monday night swim lesson. I guess “the new” is wearing off as some people discover they are only in lust with “intermediate swimming” (and the Clissold Leisure Centre). Selfishly, I like this: fewer students means more attention from my instructor. This makes the class more of a [...]

So much for a swim

After all that wondering, it turns out it’s half term and swim lessons are off for the week. Frankly, I’m a bit relieved.

Should I exercise with a cold?

As mentioned, I have a mild cold. I’m supposed to go to my swim lesson tonight, and I really don’t want to skip it because I already missed last week. Seeking answers, I typed my query on the Goog. Here’s what exercise physiologist Elizabeth Quinn reckons:
The average adult has two to three upper [...]