Ok...just returned to competitive swimming...doing pretty well (31.3 in 50 METER free, and I'm 54), but think I can do better. At 18, I swam low 28s...Yes, I'm much older, but back then, we never lifted weights (we were told it would make us sink or make us "tight"), and I actually used to smoke cigarettes (not heavily, but at parties) and weed pretty routinely. Would love to get under 30, or under 27 in yards.
I have met my goal of getting in shape, losing weight, and trying to stave off the onset of type II diabetes (was told I was borderline), but in order to be REALLY good, I realize I am going to have to put in more yardage and get some coaching on starts, turns, and mechanics. I've been doing 1/2 to 3/4 mile 3-4 times a week, with the occasional mile and even more rarely, maybe 2000.
I already work a full time job as a school administrator and I also teach college two nights a week. I have a g/f, 3 cats, and a full life (no kids)...suddenly, I have this new passion which I am excited about and it's good for me, but it seems like it will be hard to find time to put in the 3-4 thousand yards 5 or 6 days a week that a lot of folks seem to be doing. How do you find the time? And is it just a small minority who are really that committed? Do I really have to become a fanatic about this to be more successful?
PS...I would also like to the 100 at some point, but I know I need to build up my stamina a lot more for that.
I agree with both of Judd's point. You do need to make the time to train. For me that works best by swimming in the mornings. It's easy to come up with a laundry list of excuses why you can't get to the pool after a full day's work. Once you commit to getting out of bed and not rolling over for another hour's sleep, you've conquered 3/4's of your obstacles. Morning swimming leaves you charged up for the day and also allows you to spend time with your GF or do other activities in the evening.
For events like the 50 and 100 you don't need a lot of time in the water but the time spent there needs to be specific and focused. I strongly recommend Leslie's HIT workouts. If you're not ready for that level of intensity, there's a thread called "Betsy's One Hour Workouts". You could pare those down slightly and get a good quality workout in 45 minutes.
Similar to you, I work full time and have a husband and cats at home. But I swim 4-5 times each week, lift weights once or twice, and play golf with my husband most weekends. I get a bit less sleep than I'd like during the week but the enjoyment and fitness I get from my swims more than compensates for the lost hours in bed.
I agree with both of Judd's point. You do need to make the time to train. For me that works best by swimming in the mornings. It's easy to come up with a laundry list of excuses why you can't get to the pool after a full day's work. Once you commit to getting out of bed and not rolling over for another hour's sleep, you've conquered 3/4's of your obstacles. Morning swimming leaves you charged up for the day and also allows you to spend time with your GF or do other activities in the evening.
For events like the 50 and 100 you don't need a lot of time in the water but the time spent there needs to be specific and focused. I strongly recommend Leslie's HIT workouts. If you're not ready for that level of intensity, there's a thread called "Betsy's One Hour Workouts". You could pare those down slightly and get a good quality workout in 45 minutes.
Similar to you, I work full time and have a husband and cats at home. But I swim 4-5 times each week, lift weights once or twice, and play golf with my husband most weekends. I get a bit less sleep than I'd like during the week but the enjoyment and fitness I get from my swims more than compensates for the lost hours in bed.
