Hi there! I'm a 23-year-old woman trying to get started in Masters Swimming. I've been wanting to do this for several years and finally decided to give it a shot.
I swam competitively as a child, until I was 13. I haven't swam much since then. I started working out about 6 weeks ago and did really well for the first 4, but the last 2, I seem to have trouble finding the motivation. So, now I'm setting a goal: go to a meet before November. That only gives me 5 months or so to get good enough to not completely embarass myself. I've got a long way to go. If it's any indication, my best time for the 50 Freestyle (since I started working out in March), is :44, that's without anyone to race.
I would love any suggestions to help jumpstart my training and keep me motivated: diet/nutrition, strength training, endurance, breathing techniques, ANYTHING! What got and keeps some of you motivated?
I just found this site today and I'm going to start trying the workouts posted tonight.
Wish me luck!
Thanks,
Anna
Former Member
Hi:
Welcome aboard...you'll enjoy Masters Swimming. I noticed your hometown. I used to get up there on business twice a year. Your YMCA had a great Masters program that swam in the afternoon if I remember correctly. The folks swimming there were really friendly, good swimmers and made me feel very welcome. That should be a great resource for you in your beginning efforts.
Good luck...and again, welcome aboard.
Dear Anna,
I highly recommend that you find a team such as the one that Tom Ellison mentioned in his post and swim with them. (Your post made it sound like you are working out on your own.) The team atmosphere is very motivating and a lot more fun.
I also recommend setting goals, such as you have done in deciding to compete. A small invitational meet might be a good way to start back into competition. I have only been to 5 meets so far myself, 2 zones and 3 invitationals, and although any Masters meet is probably pretty laid back, I think it is a matter of degrees relative to size. The smaller meets are very laid back and friendly, and they are not as long!!! Don't worry about being super-prepared for that first meet. Just go and see what happens. Those times will be the foundation for your future goals.
One more thing, don't do what I did and get into big time workouts before you are ready. Build up yardage and intensity at a comfortable pace to avoid overuse injuries.
Good luck!
Kim
I would recommend two things initially, as follows:
1. Find a local team. It's much more fun to swim with others.
2. Diversify your workouts so you don't get stuck doing the same workout every day.
Good luck!
Hi there, welcome back to swimming. A few things I found helped when I was just getting back into it:
-start weight training, specifically for your arms, abs, lateral muscles, and quads. Sit ups, push ups, squats, and lunges are all you really need to start - you'll appreciate the toned muscles in a month or so when you start to up the yardage.
-practice stretching in the streamline position. Watch yourself in the mirror as you stretch.
-eat more protein and less carbs - to help build muscle -
-be sure to develop a second stroke - having a variety of events at meets makes it more fun.
-have fun! If there isn't a masters team in your town, maybe you can find like minded swimmers to share workouts with.
Hope this helps!
