I've been swimming now for about 10 weeks - typically 3X (at least) per week under the guidence of a coach. I've never swum before, but I've been a "runner" (more like a "shuffler") for many years. I'm 49 years old.
My question is this:
How long (time in the pool) should I expect it to take for my body to build enough endurance to start really decreasing my interval times? In 10 weeks I've gone from barely finishing 25yds without exhausting myself, to a steady 1:45 (maybe 1:50) for a 100 free (no flip turns yet - but I'm working on that). I seem to be "stuck" at the 1:45 mark forever.
I know technique is key and I've attented stroke clinics to help, but just how long should I tolerate these pathetic times before I give up and live life in the "slow lane?" I love this sport and wish I would have started 40 years ago, but I want desperately to improve my times. Also it's pretty frustrating to be completely exhausted after only 4X150 free.
Any advise/help would be appreciated
Doug
Parents
Former Member
A 1:45 in a 100 yard freestyle in practice with only 10 weeks experiance and you are 49 years old. You shouldn't be upset with that time. Most of the people that I lap swim with at the Rec pool do over 2:00 and some even over 4:00. And some of these people are in their 20's and 30's. Mine you, I have not pay much attention to the clock but I think that I average in the 1:20's to 1:30's in practice and probably would now swim a 100 yard freestyle in a race around 1:15 to 1:20. As a kid I usually swam it at 1:05 and had a best time around 1:03. As for flip turns in a 25 yard pool it took me about the third workout where I didn't feel that I was running out of air to do it on a regular basis. I took a break from working out in swimming for over 25 years. So when I first started again I was even worst than you are now.
A 1:45 in a 100 yard freestyle in practice with only 10 weeks experiance and you are 49 years old. You shouldn't be upset with that time. Most of the people that I lap swim with at the Rec pool do over 2:00 and some even over 4:00. And some of these people are in their 20's and 30's. Mine you, I have not pay much attention to the clock but I think that I average in the 1:20's to 1:30's in practice and probably would now swim a 100 yard freestyle in a race around 1:15 to 1:20. As a kid I usually swam it at 1:05 and had a best time around 1:03. As for flip turns in a 25 yard pool it took me about the third workout where I didn't feel that I was running out of air to do it on a regular basis. I took a break from working out in swimming for over 25 years. So when I first started again I was even worst than you are now.
