Swim Speed while pregnant?

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2013-03-12 8:17 AM

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Subject: Swim Speed while pregnant?

So, I'm about 20 weeks preggo now and still trying to swim, bike and run while I'm feeling good (though admittedly, not nearly as much as I was before.)

I noticed in the pool this morning that I have slowed down soooo much!  last year while training for IM, my long swim pace (like what I could swim for 1000 m or 1500 m repeats was between 1:45 and 1:50 per 100m.  This morning I felt like I was going all out and my pace for 100 m was 1:49-1:50 (on 8x100m with a generous rest period). 

I thought swimming you would slo down the least because your weight doesn't really come into effect with swimming.  admittedly, I am wearing a maternity suit that feels like a big old parachute right now, but I wouldn't think it would slow me down that much (I'm about 15 seconds slower for my 100 m time than I was this time last year).  For others that have swam through pregnancy - is this kind of slow down typical? (not that I mind so much, I'm just confused.)

2013-03-12 8:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
Daffodil - 2013-03-12 10:17 AM

So, I'm about 20 weeks preggo now and still trying to swim, bike and run while I'm feeling good (though admittedly, not nearly as much as I was before.)

I noticed in the pool this morning that I have slowed down soooo much!  last year while training for IM, my long swim pace (like what I could swim for 1000 m or 1500 m repeats was between 1:45 and 1:50 per 100m.  This morning I felt like I was going all out and my pace for 100 m was 1:49-1:50 (on 8x100m with a generous rest period). 

I thought swimming you would slo down the least because your weight doesn't really come into effect with swimming.  admittedly, I am wearing a maternity suit that feels like a big old parachute right now, but I wouldn't think it would slow me down that much (I'm about 15 seconds slower for my 100 m time than I was this time last year).  For others that have swam through pregnancy - is this kind of slow down typical? (not that I mind so much, I'm just confused.)

The bolded can play a huge part.  Wearing baggy shorts vs jammers is probably a 10s/100 penalty for me.

2013-03-12 10:07 AM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?

You also have some extra drag going on as the baby grows. You can only suck in so much!I'm assuming you've checked with your doc, as I believe it's wise to keep your heart rate in check below a certain level, too.

And congrats!

2013-03-12 10:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
dcomiskey - 2013-03-12 11:07 AM

You also have some extra drag going on as the baby grows. You can only suck in so much!I'm assuming you've checked with your doc, as I believe it's wise to keep your heart rate in check below a certain level, too.

And congrats!

Yep, talked to my doctor.  the general consensus nowadays is that is has more to do with your body temperature than your heart rate now.  I just have to make sure that I don't overheat (not too much of an issue now, but will be when summer comes along.

2013-03-12 12:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
I swam through my entire pregnancy (daughter is now 2) and after a while, I just stopped looking at the clock. I was a sub 30 min HIM swimmer prior, and it was just so frustrating to see my pace decrease and decrease. So, I stopped looking. I went by RPE and did set rest intervals (10 seconds, 5 seconds, etc...). This made it much more tolerable. The maternity parachute was another issue altogether, lol. Congrats and I wish you a happy & healthy pregnancy.
2013-03-12 12:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
I swam throughout my wife's pregnancy and it didn't affect my pace much, if any. Cool

2013-03-12 12:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
So, I did a 6k swim race once that was won (at least on the womens side) by a 5 month preggers chick...not sure how much she could have slowed down to win the race! :D
2013-03-12 8:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
so it sounds like the slow down is a combo of the suit and the pregnancy.  Thanks everyone!  I'll start forgetting about the clock and embrace slowing down.  I have a better suit on order, it will just take a few weeks to get here, hopefully it will be better than the maternity tankini (ugh) I am currently wearing.
2013-03-12 8:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
I walked into my regular pool last year and saw a gal swimming a relaxed 1:20/100m pace and realized it was a former team mate (& 2000 olympian), she stood up and was 8.5 months preggers and kicking the of all the triathletes in the pool. I saw her 3 weeks later (kid already born) at our alumni vs varsity dual meet and she kicked .
2013-03-12 8:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?
Buy a bikini and swim in it. We saw the cutest (7+month) pregnant woman swimming at a pool the other day in a workout bikini. Really once you get in the pool no one is going to really notice what you have on anyway. Enjoy your beautiful pregnant body!! Congrats!!
2013-03-12 8:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?

Catwoman - 2013-03-12 9:47 PM Buy a bikini and swim in it. We saw the cutest (7+month) pregnant woman swimming at a pool the other day in a workout bikini. Really once you get in the pool no one is going to really notice what you have on anyway. Enjoy your beautiful pregnant body!! Congrats!!

I was seriously thinking about it today during my swim.  if the new suit doesn't work, I'll buy a two peice.  (I NEVER wear a two peice!  Surprised)

2013-03-12 8:53 PM
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Subject: RE: Swim Speed while pregnant?

Catwoman - 2013-03-12 9:47 PM Buy a bikini and swim in it. We saw the cutest (7+month) pregnant woman swimming at a pool the other day in a workout bikini. Really once you get in the pool no one is going to really notice what you have on anyway. Enjoy your beautiful pregnant body!! Congrats!!

X2

i got a couple of cheap grab bag 2 piece suits in a size or 2 bigger than normal and made it all the way through the pregnancy. Maternity anything tends to be hideous, so avoid it whenever possible, lol.

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