My, things were tight at the pool today:
I shared a lane with a man, and then a swim-jogger.
I realize sharing is a part of swimming, but I always feel like I have to swim so slow and elegantly and can’t really push myself (because when I do, I create quite a splash!)
Nevertheless, I swam for FORTY minutes today!! Rather than counting anything, I just let the clock do the work and zoned out. I planned a whole video on coconut butter that’s long overdue! Now I just have to make it
After swimming I did indeed brave the sauna. Luckily I was the only one in there. I sat on one of the hand-size towels they provide and kept my bathing suit on. It was weird! I loved the hotness, but probably would have liked it more before my workout since I was already warm from the swim. Maybe in the middle of the winter I’ll just go sit in there AS my workout! I guess the benefit of saunas is to sweat? I’m not sure what else, as it was a little boring. I stayed in for 5 whole minutes staring at the wall! My skin got really dry too. Maybe I need to lotion my face first next time? Is dry skin a benefit!?
After a shower, some making up, and a bit of hairdrying, I biked home.
This is why swimming is such a chore – check out my bike bag!!! If ONLY my gym provided towel service that would help me out a lot. I HATE having to bring my own towel!
Stuffed in my bag was my Core bag. FYI, just added this sleekster to my shop. Would make a nice Xmas gift for a sporty friend.
Another swimming trick I have learned:
Since I usually bike home, I get ugly ponytail + helmet hair. But if I BRAID my hair, it survives the ride much better and…
I get a glamorous 80s crimp! Neat!!
I was more than ready for lunch!
Big ole salad with:
- Spinach
- Pumpkin spice vinegar
- Lavender sea salt
- Olive oil
- Leftover brussels
- Leftover chicken breast cubes
- Gorgonzola
- Dried fruit mix
Side dish:
A tiny piece of toast with pumpkin butter and granola
Meeting a reader visiting for a walk, and friends are coming over for dinner! It’s about time for us to get back into Cville. We haven’t done anything cultural or social all week! I need to get myself downtown.
Barbara(Blood, Sweat and Heels) says
Nothing makes me ravenous like swimming. My word, I can run for hours, lift weights until the cows come home but if I swim for 20..I NEED food stat!
Nice 80’s hair:P
Babs
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
still jealous of the pumpkin balsamic! wish i liked swimming, i feel like it would be a great workout to add to my routine
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) says
I wish I liked swimming too. It’s such a great workout but I find it boring. Your lunch looks good and nice 80’s hair!
Carrie H says
Soooo … I think I told you awhile ago that my sister was joining the Peace Cops and moving to Kenya. Well, she’s been there for about a month and I’ve been lucky enough to talk to her about once a week. She lives somewhere very rural and poor and is still adjusting … and I miss her SO much.
Anyway, today when she called me, she said something about “this Kenyan beer called Tusker.” I said I’d heard of it, and she was like, “How?!?!?!” (I’m from the U.S. and live in Wyoming.) Anyway, I told her it was from a food blog I read! 😉 We both laughed, so thanks for the shared laugh, Kath.
Kath says
Oh fun 🙂 I loved Tusker! And our little Kenyan elephant beer opener is named after it 🙂
Carrie H says
Haha, I remember that too! 🙂 My husband and I really want to visit her, so hopefully I get to taste Tusker too someday!
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
I do the same braid thing sometimes. I have to confess, I actually kind of like the crimp you get from the braid.
I actually hate sitting in the sauna. Perhaps if I had oily skin to begin with, but my skin has a tendancy to be dry anyway, so I don’t really get it.
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Before I cut my hair I would do the braid trick all the time. Sometimes I would braid my wet hair and while I drove to work it would dry, then I’d have the waves all day. Ok it worked some of the time — sometimes it turned into a big fuzzball. Thank God I have a casual workplace.
I love salads with dried fruit! They add such good flavor.
Katryn@rampantcuisine says
I love swimming but last time I was at the pool I was sharing a lane with 3 other people and it can be stressful just trying to avoid hitting or getting hit by other swimmers! Still worth it though…swimming is such a great whole body workout!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I braided my hair yesterday in the hopes of getting a cool wave but nope!! My hair is too flyaway and just ends up getting frizzy 🙁 Hope you have a great afternoon!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Love the toast the pumpkin butter and granola!
Honey B. Nutrition says
So true, swimming makes me hungrier than anything!! I always feel good after doing it, even though it is a struggle to get myself to swim. No joke, posts like this SERIOUSLY motivate me, I so appreciate it. Not only seeing that you went and did it, but seeing how good you obviously felt afterwards. That meal looks fantastic!! My breakfast looked almost exactly like the salad – random thing to crave in the morning! Umm… I THINK the whole idea of the sauna is to sweat out toxins, not meant to be entirely entertaining. Not much happens in the sauna. 😉 But I don’t think I would do it BEFORE a workout, what do others think? I don’t find it energizing, it’s more relaxing. It makes me want to go to bed!
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun says
Swimming is such a great workout! I too, create a huge splash when I push myself though. I feel like everyone is looking at me when I do! 😛
PS – Your salad looks great! I love adding dried cranberries in my salads!
Emily says
Swimming makes my skin super dry…especially with the change of seasons. I say give the sauna another shot!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I looooove sitting in the sauna!!!! Sweating in there feels so good, especially in winter! I put lotions and serums on my face before I go in, and I come out with a great glow!
Elizabeth Craig says
Try putting honey on your face when sitting in the sauna, it helps draw out impurities and toxins and also attracts any moisture from the air to help you sweat more quickly (since that’s the whole point of a sauna, to sweat out toxins). I always like to use honey that has gotten a little gritty since it adds a little extra exfoliation.
Kiran says
I never knew honey does all that! Interesting 🙂
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad says
I am not a fan of saunas. I don’t like being extremely hot, and they often make me feel dizzy and faint. Drink lots of water!!
Dorry says
I’m all about the braid! I’m not really into saunas. I mush prefer a steam room or steam shower.
“there is little evidence that they have health benefits above and beyond relaxation and a feeling of well-being.”
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/sauna_health_benefits
elizabethlacy says
Swimming chamois are wonderful for keeping your swim bag smaller, lighter, and dry!
This is the one I have:
http://www.kiefer.com/ProductDetails/StyleMasterDetails.aspx?pid={5ADB6E37-29B6-4963-A264-4A82F3BE964B}&gid={C7C81FF5-DF41-4442-AF12-901275E728E5}&pname=Kiefer+Quick-Dry+Chamois+Sport+Towel&Referer=&Alias=&ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&
Kelly says
Your post makes me want to swim! I haven’t been in the pool in a long time!!!
Sabina says
Great swim!
A few questions:
1. What about a backpack while you bike?
2. Does your pool have multiple lanes open at the same time, each for a different speed? I’m guessing they didn’t this time, as you shared your lane with a jogger.
Swim etiquette:
– observe those you’re sharing your lane with when you reach the end of the pool. let faster swimmers go ahead of you.
– if you have to pass a slower swimmer, gently tap his/her foot as you approach him/her. this is the swimmer sign to allow someone to pass.
great tip about the braid. i wish i knew how to do that with my hair! 😉
Lisa Fine - lisasfoods says
I love the saunas that allow you to add moisture to the air. I’ve been in one near a lake, and you go from sauna to a jump in the lake, to the sauna to the lake again. It’s really refreshing and fun, but is less drying than a dry sauna. I would try it before your swim the next time, and you can always bring a book in there with you.
Pat Kilmain says
Yummy looking salad! We’ve been having pomegranate and blue cheese crumbles on ours this week. Love pom!
Our pool (at the local high school) has lanes designated by speed during lap swim, but I hate sharing. 🙂 I like to swim on my back sometimes, but I don’t go straight at all, so I have to skip it when I’m sharing a lane.
Not a big fan of saunas myself – for all the reasons you mention.
Christina @ ilovefetacheese says
I hateeee sharing lanes!! Especially end lanes of the pool
Paige (Running Around Normal) says
I’m not a huge sauna fan either. I’m really not even sure of the benefits! It’s pretty boring. And hot. Heh 🙂
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle says
I dont swim much mostly b.c I’m awful at it and choke on water all the time, but that salad looks soooo good!
Amanda says
I love the drawing kath 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
ugh, lane-sharing sucks!
Maaike says
Oh Kath. First, you have to take a quick, cold shower before you go in the Sauna. Then, you need to sit in a sauna at least 10 minutes to get any benefit! By that time you will have begun to sweat out the toxins in your skin. Once sweaty (and FYI saunas ruin bathing suits- go in towel), jump out and take a COLD water shower. You will definitely feel it!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m VERY impressed with your ability to french braid your own hair. i’ve been trying to do that since i was a kid!
Kath says
It’s not a French braid! I’ve never been able to do that, and I really can barely form a braid on myself!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
lovely looking lunch there! Your pictures keep getting better ‘n better 🙂
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
WOW great swim Kath! Can’t wait to find out what your weekend adventures are!
Susan says
Your gym sounded kind of fancy when you first described it. I can’t believe they don’t have towels.
I like having my own lane when I swim because I’m slow. Luckily, if I go now, it’s not as crowded because the pool is outdoors.
Kath says
I know – it IS fancy!! I was shocked. I think towels are like $15/mo MORE on top of the expensive price. Not worth it for a few swim sessions.
Mom says
We even have towels here in Hillsborough….
Susan says
If I remember correctly, your monthly membership is the same as mine and I get towels! There’s no way I’d pay $15 extra a month.
Kath says
You mean handtowels or bath towels for showering?
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Sounds like an eventful yet productive day. Enjoy your company tonight!
MyBeautifulAir says
You should do a post about your most memorable meals, I’m curious!
Kath says
How would I ever choose!/
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I am not a great swimmer AT ALL. I can tread water with the best of them though! 🙂
Kaci says
Your pancakes ALWAYS look perfectly divine! This lunch also is so colorful and tasty sounding. My hair becomes a big, poofy mess when I wear it in a bun. lol Yours looks cute. 🙂
Sarah says
This tea cup made me think of your love of unique dining items… http://www.gnr8.biz/product_info.php?products_id=1196&products_name=Tie%20Tea%20Cup
Kath says
Oh cute!
Sarah (OC2Seattle) says
What is a swim jogger?! I’ve always been a fan of the suana but I like hot yoga better – more productive 😉 Nice 80s crimp – very stylish. Hope you have a great weekend!
Beth says
I love the drawing 🙂
I braid my hair after swimming all the time. Or pretty much anytime I don’t feel like washing and drying it after working out. Works like a charm!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
Granola toast. I’m liking it! I love carb on carb action.
Marci says
No towel service for swimming would be a bummer! I go through one that gets wet, one for shower, then they are both wet. Would be annoying to take home. Also for saunas, my contact lenses dry like crazy. And it is boring. I like the whirlpool after a swim. It’s like a reward.
Simply Life says
WOW! 40 minutes is impressive! I’m huffing and puffing after 5!
Natalia - a side of simple says
During the summers when I swim at the local pool or town lake I always zone out and just go by time rather than counting. I feel like it takes the pressure off and I get in a better workout. Have a fun time tonight out on the town!
Shellie says
You are awesome Kath! Been reading your blog for quite some time and wanted to comment. I want to go swimming now!!!!!
Kath says
Thanks!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
My hair is always such a frizzy mess, thanks to the helmet. I’ll have to try braiding it once it gets long enough. 😉
Your salad is exactly what I love. So much goodness and flavor! 😀
Shannon @ Philadelphia Phitness Pharmacy says
Great swim! Yummy Salad! I need to start getting my swim on because I signed up to do a triathlon in June. Any tips for new swimmers?
Kath says
take a hot shower BEFORE you get in. I swear it makes the coldness less harsh if you’re hot.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
Gosh I haven’t swam in so long, that 40 minutes sounds awesome! Your lunch looks so fresh and tasty too.
Camille says
How is your hair so dry after swimming!? Even with a swim cap, my hair is a soaking mess!
Kath says
I dried it with a hairdryer first!!!! (Mostly)
Rachel says
Sharing lanes can be a pain sometimes. When I was first starting to swim as a workout it was nice to be motivated to get faster by the faster people in the lane.
You need one of the small but super absorbent towels! They pack up really small and are more than adequate for drying off.
I’m looking forward to the coconut butter video!
Laura (Starloz) says
love the hair tips
Olivia R. says
Love the hair! I have somewhat of an 80s style, I wore a cut off sweatshirt and leggings with keds today.
One quick question about COCONUT BUTTER. I bought a jar a while ago, and it was completely solid when I unscrewed the cap. I put it in a pot of boiling water, which semi-worked. Then I tried microwaving it, and of course that ruined the entire jar, making it charred and brown 🙁
Any tips for getting the ‘magic shell’ you rave about? THANKS 😀
Kath says
Oh noooo – sorry you wasted it! The pot method should work best. Perhaps you didn’t leave it in long enough or hot enough? I usually don’t microwave it more that 30-45 seconds to get the edges melted enough to pull out a blob.
Olivia R. says
Thanks, I’ll try that next time I spend $10 on it…oops 😮 well we all learn from some cooking mistakes!
Katie says
I think jumping into swim lanes with people is one of the more awkward gym social interactions! Swimming in a straight line is hard enough without having someone in the lane…
Susan says
It totally is! If all the lanes are full, I stand at the edge and when someone stops for a break, which usually isn’t that long, I ask if I can share the lane.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Haha sometimes I plan out posts in my head too while I’m exercising. 😀 I’m excited for your post on coconut butter!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Saunas claim to improve circulation due to the high temps. They also supposedly help to open up pores and rid the body of toxins, but some argue (and I agree) that you don’t (and shouldn’t) stay in long enough to do more than sweat out water. They ARE relaxing though – especially if you do from hot to cold a few times!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Swimming gear is a pain – I was a swimmer in high school!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Good job swimming for such a long time! I always find it dragggs by. Probably because it takes so much out of you!
Hannah says
I need more blue cheese in my life. Fact.
Alaina says
Oooh, that salad looks delicious!
I’m jealous that you can bike everywhere. I wish I could do that up here where I live! 🙂
Heidi - apples under my bed says
That salad looks so good! Love the 80’s crimp 🙂 I need to get into swimming more. It is such a good/tough workout. V therapeutic too.
Heidi xo
Jennie (in Wonderland) says
I used to LOVE the sauna at my old gym. In the beginning, I thought it was weird and only stayed in for 5 or so minutes. But I started going for longer stretches – sometimes 30 minutes at a time, with shower breaks. My skin always felt prickly and dry for the first bit, and then BOOM sweat-time. I would POUR with sweat after about 7-10 minutes in there and it felt amazing.
I think nakedness is key – or just cover up with a cotton towel, nothing synthetic like a bathing suit. Lotion’s awesome. Also, drink TONS of water and make sure you’re well fueled. Once I barely ate before I went, and almost passed out after, lol.