I just started seriously doing lap swimming and joined USMS at the first of this year. I even did my first swim meet at Colonies Zone in April just to see what they are all about.
I do all of my training alone and I started with doing only 400m total a workout and now I up to 850m. I am adding gradually each month. But I am still the same speed - horribly slow (about 1:00 for 50 free) so I have purchased a Masters workout card.
I figured that I am not getting any faster despite swimming almost every day because 1) I don't know how to improve, and 2) maybe being in a workout will speed me up.
Now I am nervous about 1) showing up and being with swimmers who qualified for Nationals, and 2) having a coach who sees how slow I am.
I have signed up for some swim meets in October/November - mostly 50/100 back, 50/100 free, and 50 fly - and I would like to see my time drop somewhat. Or should I not compete until I see my times in training drop?
Parents
Former Member
I have been working on my swimming for the last 3 years. I took a few classes, but I initially swam alone and could do 50m in about 70 seconds. Latter I joined a very small master group at the gym. Swimming with group help with my stamina and kept it interesting. About 6 months ago the group at the gym died after the coach left, and I’m back to swimming by myself although I just started weekly dropping in on a master team.
Currently I swim about 2000m four times a week. I can now do a 50m in 48 seconds which I suspect is not stellar improvement. I’m 55 so maybe everything takes longer. The biggest problem I have when swimming with a team is finding the slowest lane and then convincing people that I should swim last.
I just discovered that National Age Group Motivational time (grade B) for boys 10 and under for a 50 m free is 42.9 seconds. Sigh. I need a beer.
Regards,
Mike
I have been working on my swimming for the last 3 years. I took a few classes, but I initially swam alone and could do 50m in about 70 seconds. Latter I joined a very small master group at the gym. Swimming with group help with my stamina and kept it interesting. About 6 months ago the group at the gym died after the coach left, and I’m back to swimming by myself although I just started weekly dropping in on a master team.
Currently I swim about 2000m four times a week. I can now do a 50m in 48 seconds which I suspect is not stellar improvement. I’m 55 so maybe everything takes longer. The biggest problem I have when swimming with a team is finding the slowest lane and then convincing people that I should swim last.
I just discovered that National Age Group Motivational time (grade B) for boys 10 and under for a 50 m free is 42.9 seconds. Sigh. I need a beer.
Regards,
Mike
