I'm new to swimming, not new to running. When you start out running you have to be careful about not increasing the workload too quickly because of impact/connective tissue/etc, because you may get injured. I'm wondering if this is the case with swimming?
Last night I did a workout of a 50yd free warmup, 4 sets of , a 50, 6x75, 5x100. That was only the second workout I've ever done (the first was a week ago, basically half the total distance.) I was practicing keeping high elbows, a motion I'm not used to.
Disregarding whether I'm actually capable of swimming 10,000 yards aerobically and "muscularly" at the moment, is there any reason why I should force myself to build up in bits and pieces at a time, rather than do as much as I can?
I agree 100% with Julia. I'm off swimming for at least another week, possibly more, because of a neck and shoulder injury that could have been caused by overuse, or could be something else like arthritis. I did a measly 30 laps a couple weeks ago after having lifted weights (not shoulder sets) at the gym, and now I'm back in physical therapy. If I could afford a private swim coach, I'd get one. Although my technique isn't bad and when I'm swimming freestyle I do not feel any discomfort, the aftermath has been painful. I cry when I read about how others are doing miles in open water, and now I can't even swim a couple of laps. Boo, hiss. So take it easy, get a coach, and build slowly because no matter how enthusiastic you are, no matter how good you feel in the water, you can suffer overuse injuries if you are not careful.
I agree 100% with Julia. I'm off swimming for at least another week, possibly more, because of a neck and shoulder injury that could have been caused by overuse, or could be something else like arthritis. I did a measly 30 laps a couple weeks ago after having lifted weights (not shoulder sets) at the gym, and now I'm back in physical therapy. If I could afford a private swim coach, I'd get one. Although my technique isn't bad and when I'm swimming freestyle I do not feel any discomfort, the aftermath has been painful. I cry when I read about how others are doing miles in open water, and now I can't even swim a couple of laps. Boo, hiss. So take it easy, get a coach, and build slowly because no matter how enthusiastic you are, no matter how good you feel in the water, you can suffer overuse injuries if you are not careful.
