Hi, I am an experienced swimmer who has been on land WAY too long. I am 27 years old, and haven't participated in year round swimming since my junior year in high school 9 years ago. Prior to "burning out" I swam year round AT least 2.5 hours a day for 13 years.
I am over weight (99lbs) and began a new workout program in May. I walk 1.5 miles in 45 at lunch 4 days a week and go to a gym for cardio (2 days) and weights (3 days). I also do yoga one day a week. I'm seeing great results having lost 16 lbs so far and 12 inches.
I work at an indoor pool in the winter and spring as a supervisor for the the aquatics program and am interested in using my time wisely. I'd like to start swimming again. my major problem is I do not know where to begin with a workout. I do NOT just want to get in the pool and lap swim. That is boring to me. I like the challenge of sets and timing myself. I feel I will be able to measure my progress better that way.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had some ideas for me on what type of workout I should be doing. I'd like to work on ALL my strokes as well as kicking and pulling too. In high school I could do a :56.0 100 free and 1:15:43 100 breastroke. I was average on a team of super stars. can you guys give me some advice on where to start.
I'd like to swim for an hour at least once a week to give me more variaty in my cardio workout. Got any ideas???
Parents
Former Member
Hi Denise! Welcome back to the great sport of swimming! Alot of people here have gone and returned. There are also swimmers that did not have a history of swimming in high school or college, and started the sport as an adult.
It's great that you're getting yorself into shape! It's hard work to drop pounds, but the results are life changing.
When I started swimming again, I couldn't believe how hard it was! I remember swimming ulta fast 50's and 100s during high school, and I expected to get back to that quickly. I was surprised that it kicked my butt just to swim a 75 at first. When I started back, I found that my fins really helped me get through a workout, and prevented me from really getting discouraged.
As each workout came and went, I used the fins less and less.
When you start up again, the most important thing to remember is that you're coming back as a masters swimmer...understand that it will take you some time to get into swim shape again.
You will be in great shape again--but it's not going to happen over night.
Create a workout for yourself that gives you rest, and isn't piling on the milage too much too fast. Under the favorite workouts forum, there are all kinds of workouts that people post. ONe of my personal favorites when I came back was the zen mile...it has fun sets, and provides a great challenge. I had to use fins for the first few weeks that I swam the zen mile. If you need longer rest between sets, take it.
Gradually add to your weekly milage no more than 2%. Also, you can shorten time between sets, or swim sets faster. The workouts forum on this site--by Mel G.--have terrific workouts. These are great to do. When I first started I did as much as I could of them--and added more rest time if necessary.
All over my house I have index cards inside of ziplock sandwhich bags (to keep them dry poolside). This drives my husband crazy...but deep down, he thinks it's cute. Also, if you have a masters team to swim with--this would also be a huge advantage on so many levels. Check that out as well.
Good luck!
Jeerycat
:D
Hi Denise! Welcome back to the great sport of swimming! Alot of people here have gone and returned. There are also swimmers that did not have a history of swimming in high school or college, and started the sport as an adult.
It's great that you're getting yorself into shape! It's hard work to drop pounds, but the results are life changing.
When I started swimming again, I couldn't believe how hard it was! I remember swimming ulta fast 50's and 100s during high school, and I expected to get back to that quickly. I was surprised that it kicked my butt just to swim a 75 at first. When I started back, I found that my fins really helped me get through a workout, and prevented me from really getting discouraged.
As each workout came and went, I used the fins less and less.
When you start up again, the most important thing to remember is that you're coming back as a masters swimmer...understand that it will take you some time to get into swim shape again.
You will be in great shape again--but it's not going to happen over night.
Create a workout for yourself that gives you rest, and isn't piling on the milage too much too fast. Under the favorite workouts forum, there are all kinds of workouts that people post. ONe of my personal favorites when I came back was the zen mile...it has fun sets, and provides a great challenge. I had to use fins for the first few weeks that I swam the zen mile. If you need longer rest between sets, take it.
Gradually add to your weekly milage no more than 2%. Also, you can shorten time between sets, or swim sets faster. The workouts forum on this site--by Mel G.--have terrific workouts. These are great to do. When I first started I did as much as I could of them--and added more rest time if necessary.
All over my house I have index cards inside of ziplock sandwhich bags (to keep them dry poolside). This drives my husband crazy...but deep down, he thinks it's cute. Also, if you have a masters team to swim with--this would also be a huge advantage on so many levels. Check that out as well.
Good luck!
Jeerycat
:D
