This is probably my second post here and I changed things up a little since my last post. The reason I am asking is because I am not coached by anyone and try my best to push myself. I am almost 55 years old now.
This is my current workout that takes me an average of 1:50 to get through. I am fortunate that the health club I belong to has a 4 lane 25 Meter pool. Here goes.
10 X 500 Alternate 1 X 500 meter Free, 1 X 500 meter *** Stroke
500 Meter Free's I am holding average of 9:30
500 Meter *** I am holding average of 10:30
I take 1-1:45 minute average Rest between all 500's
At the end I do one easy lap of easy swimming and stretching. On occasion I push this another 3 X 500's (13) when I feel up to it.
When going through this workout I am pushing moderately for each set. At the end of this workout I feel pretty darn worked out.
I do this routine on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday I am doing some weight work in the gym. Saturday and Sunday are time off resting and enjoying life with my family.
How does this routine look to some of the more savoy experienced Swimmers on this site? I have been swimming for about a year now after a 38 year layoff since High School competition. Recently, I have also thought about joining Masters Swimming in my area which is Gilbert, Arizona.
Thank you for reviewing this.
Greg
Hi Greg54Swimmer!
It depends on your goals. That's a lot of aerobic yardage. If you want to improve or get faster (or even have a little variety in your work out) you'd probably see quicker results with your local Masters team...
First off, you are a better man than I. The days of me being able to do 10, let alone 13, 500's are long gone.
Next, I will restate my belief that the best workout is the one that you'll do, so, if you really like yours, keep it up.
goobears is also correct in that it depends on your goals. If you want to swim fast, you will have to practice faster. You are what you do repeatedly.
Finally, I can't stress enough the importance of improving your technique. We are about the same age, and much has changed since you stopped swimming. There is a lot of great information on the internet. Personally, I like Gary Hall's videos at The Race Club, but there are many others.
Most importantly, keep up the hard work.
I found a local Masters Program and am excited about it. Going to talk to them and join.
Good deal :) Be open to some new things that you might not have made yourself do on your own. Nothing like another coach's practice to make me do things I wouldn't otherwise make myself do!
That seems too much for the time given. If so then good for you. UUMMMM ?? 7,000 yards in an hour 50?
You might want t break it into more of shorted distance for faster short races.
Hi Greg54Swimmer!
It depends on your goals. That's a lot of aerobic yardage. If you want to improve or get faster (or even have a little variety in your work out) you'd probably see quicker results with your local Masters team...
I found a local Masters Program and am excited about it. Going to talk to them and join.
Thanks for the response Ron, I have actually found a Masters program near my house and plan to join. At this point I am not sure where I want to take this. I just know that I enjoy swimming and perhaps joining a group will make it more fun now.
Recently, I have also thought about joining Masters Swimming in my area which is Gilbert, Arizona.
Thank you for reviewing this.
Greg
Hi Greg--
I lived in the metro Phoenix area for about 20 years and swam with a few different masters teams, starting in 1998, I could probably count on 1 hand the number of masters workouts I've done that were over 6000m.
That said, if those sets work for you, and you enjoy doing them, then I don't see anything wrong with them.
There's a good USMS team in Mesa, with a few different locations, and I'd encourage you to try it out, sooner rather than later. Other than adjusting for SCY/LCM/SCM, there really aren't, "seasons," where you have to wait to swim. They pretty much swim every day (except Christmas and Easter), with workouts early morning/mid-day/evening. Here's the team's website:
www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp
Are you training for some open water events? If so, then it would totally make sense to do these long aerobic sets.
Definitely join USMS and a team if you can. Once you do, you'll also be opened up to the workout area of the forum which can spur on new ideas. There's nothing better than working out with a team and coach, though. You'll become a much better swimmer in the long run. Enjoy!
That is a LOT of aerobic swimming
Today at the suggestion of a gym trainer I switched it up a little. I did my weight workout, then went to the pool and swam 4 X 500 meters of 2 freestyle and two breaststroke. Felt nice and loose and did good on the cardio. Regardless, I do plan on joining Masters and getting a coached swim workout.:)
