---Circular Lanes---When I go skating everyone skates round and round in an oblong counterclockwise direction. I might skate this way for one or two hours non-stop. I like the feeling of gliding along in an unobstructed flow. I’ll skate several laps forward and then several laps skating backwards. Always watching out I don’t cut into another skater’s space.
…..Just for recreational swimming, pools could be designed this way. Long oblong outer lanes where you don’t have to turn at the wall. The inner area can be open recreational space that one could get to in a cut in the long distance lanes, or perhaps a water slide from the floor.

---Circular Intervals---Riding bicycle with my wife on a kilometric circular route today I realized that going north into the wind, and then south with the wind at our backs is a good way to do interval training. As long as you put more effort into the wind, and keep moving steady on the other sides, an hour or two can be very beneficial. Even better if you have access to an outdoor banked velodrome which gets consistent wind current, and up/down stretches.
…..Imagine a swimming pool could have a pump forcing current from one wall, in which we would have to swim very hard into it, and sprint back the other way. Well that it might be a lot of fun, it would give us plenty of interval stress testing.
….. Another idea is to get a current regulator on an endless pool. The swimmer would really have a challenge handling the switch of current force.

---Hand Stand Apnea---Hand stands and head stands in the 1.3 m. pool are easier to do in the water than on land. The water supports the body just enough to maintain balance, and lessen the pressure on joints. The vertical position effect on the ventilation system is less stressed than on land, and seems to distribute the pain more evenly than gliding horizontally in the water.
…..Well I have no problem doing a 25m. lap with about 80 hand steps. Note that much of the legs are above the water surface. It takes longer than horizontal dynamic apnea, but is fairly comfortable in practice. The biggest problem is flanking the wall since you are approaching it back side first. As soon as you touch you immediately go bottom up, and catch that first big gulp of air.

---One Hand Stand---It’s also possible to do a one handed hand stand. On land it takes a great deal of arm strength and vertical balance. However, in the pool it’s not too difficult. The feet and free hand should create a tripod above the water surface. The idea is to keep flexing the arm up and down with the palm on the pool floor. One should try it with the left and also the right hand
…..I’ve already hopped along covering half the pool width. I hope to go 10m. after which I will feel I have accomplished this difficult maneuver with style and control.

---On Vacation---I’ll be traveling for a month, and may not have internet connection. So I’ll give the fine people at Swim Forums a break from my crazy ideas and terrible jokes.
…..Actually I just about ran out of material to write. I hope to get to read some of what you great swimmers are thinking. I know this is one of the best support forums for swimmers on the internet. So everyone just keep swimming!

(Jan 15, 2011 6:29am)Ken Tao Wrote:  ---Working Through Pain--- Many believe that moving around in the water is the best way to confront pain while exercising. If pain is a state of mind then the best way to relieve the pain is in the water. Floatation and the support of a persons body in water gives a medium of bounciness that you just don’t get on land based exercise.
Of course chronic conditions exist with their complement of pain. However, it’s possible to work through the pain to get to a point of bearing mild exercise. Some medicinal help may improve ones movement, and help build pain tolerance, which exists as different states of mind for different oldsters.
Much of the pain people experience is the anaerobic aspect of their bodies. What we usually refer to cramps or soreness is often a by-product of poor respiration. To be able to get oxygenated blood to all places in the body to maintain healthy cells, and to eliminate carbon/hydrogen waste processes efficiently, the robustness of cardiovascular “muscle systems need improve. The relative pain trade-off for a more healthy and efficient body is well worth the effort considering a little more exercise each day should likewise mean a little less pain each day!

Thanks for the tips, My doctor said much the same thing.