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.
You make time to train.
make unbreakable appointments to train
pick a convenient pool and time, get in the habit
Train with a program so you have a coach
Train with training partners who give you crap when you miss
Set goals to prepare for something (new next meet)
Be flexible, it's OK to arrive late or leave early, something is always better than nothing.
Talk things over with the G/F so she knows when you're training.
Put your swimming event dates on the calendar months ahead.
Understand that there's more important things than swimming and sometimes life gets in the way, do what you need to do then resume your training schedule.
Think about how many times per week, what time, what pool/s, how far, how hard and make it happen.
You can make time or make excuses. btw excuses are useless.
I "found" time to train. I realized I was pretty much wasting my time going out to lunch by way of gambling and spending money eating out. I changed that to swimming on my lunch hour. I get about 45 min in the water or 25/20 weights/swim. I worked my way up from 2 days a week to now 6 days a week. When lunch doesn't work out i do my best to flex that workout to early morning before the world is awake (5am) or evening after work.
