Swimming For Runners

Today, on the 22nd day of my forced leave from running, I finally took the plunge. I signed up for my very first swimming lesson with my batchmate from college, Nonoy Basa, who has been teaching Terry Laughlin’s Total Immersion swimming style to kids and adults in Makati and Alabang.

- Nonoy Basa, my swimming coach and friend - 

Truth to tell, I walked by the pool area like a fish out of water—all wiggly and nervous and almost out of breath—because this was definitely not my territory. I never took formal swimming lessons; I only learned how to swim from my eldest brother a hundred summers ago. The last time I swam freestyle was in gradeschool when my classmates and I would play “shark” at a friend’s house. And, since I am not Heidi Klum, I haven’t really been comfortable wearing a swimsuit after giving birth to my two kids.

Thankfully, Nonoy made it easy for me and Dondi, another student who is a beginner triathlete, to feel at home in the pool.

The first thing Nonoy did was to show us how he swims. It was simply amazing. I could hardly notice when he would take a breath as he seemed to be completely submerged, gliding through the water, truly swimming like a fish (cliche as it may sound.) Then, it was our turn as he took videos of us doing our own strokes—gulp. Nonoy then showed us our videos and discussed our mistakes and told us the techniques he would be teaching us.

Step by step, Nonoy slowly and patiently taught us 4 or 5 drills to practice so that we could gradually get used to the method of TI. He would teach us one at a time making sure each of us got the position correctly. Seemingly innocuous drill names like Sweet Spot were quite challenging for a newbie swimmer like me to do without having water creep up my nose. But, after a couple of practices and tips from Nonoy, I could do them comfortably.

I liked the fact that TI focuses on engaging the core to propel forward. I thought that it truly will complement my running wherein core workouts are very important for support during those long distance runs. Swimming will also help exercise my upper body, an area that desperately needs toning to keep me in good form when I run. And, it will also help my feet become more flexible, a common problem for runners who have stiff ankles.

What was supposed to be a 1-hour session turned out to be more than 2 hours of fun for me. It was great to be diving (literally) into something new, engaging muscles that were rarely ever used during my runs, and getting a bit of a cardio workout at the same time. It’s also nice to know that I just took a tiny step closer towards my goal of becoming a future triathlete.

I know I am going to enjoy swimming. Having said that, will I exchange my running shoes for goggles anytime soon? Certainly not. It is still running for me. Besides, “The Bull Swimmer” doesn’t sound too catchy.

* For child/adult swimming lessons, call Aqualogic Swim Co. at (0917) 858 AQUA or visit their website.

Posted on 02.04.08 to 05 Training. Tags: Nonoy Basa, Swimming, Total Immersion. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 22 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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22 Responses to “Swimming For Runners”

1. You can’t go wrong with a “Total Immersion” coach. Go Bull Swimmer go, er, I mean runner.

   rick said on Feb 04 08 at 3:22 PM Reply
   

2. Good luck on this temporary sports!!!

   Ira said on Feb 04 08 at 6:03 PM Reply
   

3. Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed your swim session. I like “Bull Swimmer”…but then again, I am a Taurus and I love to swim…

   Nora said on Feb 04 08 at 6:55 PM Reply
   

4. oh how cosmic. i just came from the pool and reading this entry is such a treat.

   nonoy basa. why does his name sound very familiar? hmmm.

   marga said on Feb 04 08 at 7:24 PM Reply
   

5. i’ve actually taken some of the pointers from the total immersion book, and my swimming improved dramatically. whereas before i could barely make it a couple of laps without being out of breath, focusing on my form made me a more efficient and better swimmer. like you, i’m aiming to do a tri some day. keep it up, jaymie!!!

   e-rod said on Feb 05 08 at 6:22 AM Reply
   

6. Good Job. Swimming is a very technical sports and it really makes sense to have a coach. I wish I had gotten a swim coach earlier. Keep it up and I hope to see you training in the road soon.

   Mark P said on Feb 05 08 at 8:52 AM Reply
   

7. I read about TI last year when a friend from Dubai mentioned it to me. He’s the top paddler for surfski and was a 20 year coach for swimming. What caught my interest is his application of TI to paddling. What discouraged me to buy the book as the bad reviews it got at Amazon. TI it seems is preferred for Triathletes and beginners. Elite swimmers will benefit little from this due to the fact that they’re elite. hehehe

   They offer classes for kids right? Im planning to enroll my son this summer. At only 3 years old, is he too young for this?

   Mark said on Feb 05 08 at 9:01 AM Reply
   

8. By the way, the bad reviews at Amazon did not criticize the methodology. It was just the way the book was written and organized.

   Mark said on Feb 05 08 at 9:02 AM Reply
   

9. waaah! ka-inggit! wag ka lalangoy banda samin batuhin kita ng kamatis! hahahaha!

   go TBS!

   renz said on Feb 05 08 at 9:20 AM Reply
   

10. Rick, yup I’m glad i chose TI. I almost took another coach just because it was cheaper.

    Ira, thanks! It may not be temporary but it will definitely be only 2nd to running

    Nora, I’m relieved that i enjoyed it. If i didn’t, I wouldn’t know what I would’ve turned to for cardio.

    Marga, his name sounds familiar because I think you know everyone in the running/triathlon world!

    E-rod, yes their technique is so efficient. It’s amazing. So will you have a VT2 (virtual triathlon training) in the future?

    Mark P, yes I’m glad I got a coach. I was planning on just swimming with my brother 3x a week but decided on taking sessions instead since I’ll need it eventually if I try a triathlon in the future.

    Mark, thank goodness I’m not an elite swimmer so I still have a lot to gain from the method! hahaha. Yes, they offer classes for kids. I’ll ask about the age and email you. My nephews took the course a couple of years back and they had a blast while learning how to swim.

    bullrunner said on Feb 05 08 at 9:49 AM Reply
    

11. I just got the book from Amazon in preparation for my planned TI sessions with Nonoy this march. It was really meant for me to appreciate the concepts behind the methodology. Jaymie since I am not using the book yet, you are free to borrow it first if you want. Seriously, just let me know. I totally agree on the core training benefits for running. Hope to see you back…with a big splash!

    Tina said on Feb 05 08 at 10:01 AM Reply
    

12. no naman ano!

    marga said on Feb 05 08 at 2:07 PM Reply
    

13. jaymie! wow! i’m just glad you finally took the plunge! and wow! TI!!! interesting! tell me when you’re ready to do laps with me, i’m excited to do another activity with the tbr aside from running & dining hahahah! btw, tnx for the heads up to doc canlas!

    banggigay said on Feb 06 08 at 10:39 PM Reply
    

14. HI Ms. Jaymie!!!

    MAGKAKATOOTO NA ANG PROPHECY!!!…….THE CREATION OF HAPPY FINS!!!

    As they say swimming is good for the soul…….

    Float on…..

    Oknoy

    oknoy said on Feb 07 08 at 10:20 AM Reply
    

15. Great write-up! I’m convinced that this program is suited for me too.

    You should charge Nonoy a commission for the business he will get thanks to your blog

    DATC said on Feb 12 08 at 8:49 AM Reply
    

16. hi jaymie,

    contacted nonoy after reading your blog. just came back from my second TI, what can I say, ibang klase talaga ito. never knew you could actually propel forward without kicking and with minimal use of your arms. I was telling nonoy na dapat sana noong umpisa pa lang ganito na sila magturo ng swimming. Thanks to your blog it’s like a whole new world opened for me – like i’m learning to swim for the first time. Should you pursue triathlon, TI will really help you. Salamat uli.

    Levy said on Feb 13 08 at 9:16 PM Reply
    

17. Hi Jaymie,

    How’s the swimming going?

    Mark said on Feb 18 08 at 9:34 AM Reply
    

18. Hi TBR, I am torned as well on taking this class. If you may say, could a total beginner may end up swimming well after the class?

    Patrick said on Jan 26 09 at 8:24 PM Reply
    

19. wow.. galing .. pwede bang makisama sa lesson hihihi

    sean william said on Aug 04 09 at 3:03 PM Reply
    

20. I am searching for an organization of Filipino Marathon-Runners/Swimmers in Dubai/Sharjah UAE. I am currently in the Philippines joining series of marathon events and expected to be back in Dubai on Dec 1, 2009. I would like to know their Calendar of Activities so i can join myself and invite my friends. Thank you very much and expecting a reply through my e-mail addy here……Ms. Haydee

    Haydee Villamor Eguia said on Nov 23 09 at 10:27 AM Reply