I started swimming in April.
I am 52 and am not a thing of beauty in the water. I am slow, I can only breathe on my right side, and usually getting kicked by other swimmers when I have to share lanes. (Which I am not sure is normal? But it does take some getting used to...)
When I cannot get to the pool I facilitate with a Schwinn Aridyne, or lifting on a Soloflex.
Growing up in the Sierra foothills I swam a lot as a kid (not anything organized), but this has been a real eye opener in terms of a "different" kind of fit. I thought I was in shape because I was piling up miles on the Airdyne, my first time in the pool I had to grab the side after the first half lap. I can freestyle for an hour now (I have no idea how many laps...).
I am thinking of getting lessons at the local university (where I swim). But all in all, it has been a great challenge for me.
Every masters than I have been on has helped me nicely and pleasantly. Sorry about your bad experiences on some team or coaching matters. Yes , swimming is a real surprise to many that think they can swim any distance more than a lap or two. I coached HS girls & boys team for 34 seasons. Many a "tough guy" type of another sport was embarrassed by the "skinny or chubby kid" that kept right on swimming when they quit and hung on the side!!
Every masters than I have been on has helped me nicely and pleasantly. Sorry about your bad experiences on some team or coaching matters. Yes , swimming is a real surprise to many that think they can swim any distance more than a lap or two. I coached HS girls & boys team for 34 seasons. Many a "tough guy" type of another sport was embarrassed by the "skinny or chubby kid" that kept right on swimming when they quit and hung on the side!!
