Iron Pol

 
Toasty 11/19/2007
 

One ongoing discussion in our swim group centers on water temperature.  We have a few hot-blooded mammals I honestly believe would prefer to see ice cubes (or icebergs) floating in the water.  On the other extreme is Coach Curt who frequently comments about various pools being "too chilly" for a normal swim.  I seem to fall somewhere in the middle.  I'm not fond of warm water, but still want to leave my wetsuit at home if I'm going to a pool.

Generally, the pool where I train is a good fit.  Occassionally, I'll get into the pool and shiver a bit.  It's usually nothing a few lengths can't resolve, and I warm up quickly enough.  And sometimes I hop in thinking it's a tad warm.  Still, it's water and cools better than air.  Warm water will still cool a swimmer in the midst of a tough workout.

Then again, I did qualify that with "generally..."

This morning, the only thought that came to mind when I got in the pool was kiddie pool.  You know what I'm talking about.  The wading pools common at many locations.  The ones with 6-8 inches of water, designed for toddlers.

I'm not sure what the water temperature was, this morning, but I sure hope they have a slush fund for paying the utilities.  I swear it was so warm my kids wouldn't have liked it.  They won't get into a tub with bathwater as warm as the water in our pool.

As I left the pool after a quick workout, I was left with one additional thought.

Who knew it was possible to sweat in the water?

 


Comments

TJ

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:37:06

I'm in the cool water camp myself. Swimming in a pool that's too warm zaps my energy.

 

Wendy

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:00:19

Getting into cooler pools is never fun, but once you're in, it's ideal. My preference would be for 78oF pools. The pool I lane swim at can be 83, and it can be quite problematic.

I can never get up to a good pace in warmer water. And when you can feel the beads of perspiration trailing cool down your face while swimming -- then you know the water is hot tub quality!

 

monica

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:33:34

i'm known at my ymca as "the complainer" when it comes to temps. the pool is too warm at 83 degrees. when they asked me what i thought a good temp should be and i told them 76-78, the woman yelped and said "oh no, that's far too cold, you'll get hypothermia!!!" it's at 78 right now cuz something's broken in the heating system and everyone's up in arms while i'm happy to jump in and get my drills on!!!

then there's the general workout room. why, when it dips to cool temperatures OUTSIDE, would anyone crank up the heat INSIDE?? a gym should always be room temp, 68 degrees, no matter what the season....

jeesh!!!

i know, i know, not everyone is trying to do what we do at the gym...

 

John K

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:28:54

You've got to be talking about the Heart of the Valley YMCA. (east Appleton, WI for those elsewhere) I noted for my swim there 2 days ago the water was actually "warm". Yes, I actually felt like I was sweating in the water too. Is that even possible? A few laps of that and I felt like I wasn't getting enough cooling.

While we're on the subject of pool complaints, I don't like lap pools connected to kiddie pools. Cloudy, disgusting water... and you pretty much know what the real young ones are doing in there. It makes me want to swim with a snorkel so I don't have to open my mouth.

I suppose I should switch to morning swims so I can get there before the kids pollute it.

 

comm's

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:53:07

I never thought much about water temp. i wear wetsuits in 90 degree lake water for chris sakes. But i did notice my hot tub was not getting to 105 degrees the other night and that vexxed me because it was 9pm and the air temperature was down to 70 degrees. that is very cold here in Phoenix

 

john telich

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:35:00

Give me cold water anytime. I usually swim in the lake (erie that is) up until very late october, with a sleeveless wetsuit no less. I could be insane, I just don't know it yet.
Kids polluting pools. Reason chlorine was invented, I think.
enjoy your blog.
best in racing.

 



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