looking for support

i'm 36 i train on my own in a 25 metre leisure pool,i do 3000metres 3 times per week in varying sets and strokes.i tend to get to the pool when it is quiet from kids and head up breastrokers so i can give my best,why dont you try training on your own,make your own program of training and set yourself some times and distances to achieve

Join a masters club!!! I'm 34, and just started swimming this year. Never swam competetively before, and it is great. I love the coach, teammates are as nice as can be and come in all levels of conditioning and skill. Masters swimming is not just for serious competitiors. There's room for fitness swimmers, triathletes and those trying to get back into the swim of things. Or pick up a book on swimming and with workouts, and find a pool. Having done the latter couple of years ago, all I can tell you is, I wish I had joined the club back then, instead of feeling intimidated. My swimming is progressing by leaps and bounds.

And if there isn't a Masters team convient to where you live, start asking the coaches if they would work with you privately a couple of times a month. Ask them to suggest someone who might coach you. If that doesn't work try some of the more mature life guards or even the swimming teachers at a local Y, its possible that you will find one who has some coaching experience. Thats how I found the coach I worked with... she was a guard and teacher at the Y. I was swimming laps on my own, and one day noticed her teaching two women who couldn't do anything more than stand in the shallow end of the pool. Within a couple of weeks she had them swimming laps. I thought that if she could get them swimming that quickly maybe she could help me improve my technique... so I asked her and as it turned out she had a lot of open water competition and coaching experience. Private one-to-one sessions can get a little pricey so most of the time I just did twice a month. At the end of the session the coach would give me suggestions for what I should work on myself until the next session. In between times, if she happenned to be guarding while I swam my laps she would watch me and frequently told me that this looked good, or that I still needed to work on whatever. And, I did make a lot of progress like that. However, this summer she and I worked together once a week. In one month I doubled the yardage I could do and improved my times. The greatest thing about one-to-one sessions is, it is tailored just for you. Don't be afraid to ask, tell them your goal, its worth a try.

You've got plenty of time before your big event. Start of doing some cross-training with your swimming--either walking, running, bike (indoor if it's too cold), and weight training. Aim for 4 times a week of working out, and stick to your program. Do two cross-train days, and 2 swim days. To start swimming--remember that it is challenging. So, fins might help you get going again. And, just do what you can. At first 10 sets of 50's, coming in at 60 or 70 seconds might be a challenge. Take a month to build up some endurance. You might swim just for time, where you want to swim 30 or 40 minutes, and just rest when you need to. But, eventually, you'll get in swim shape, and you'll be able to do more challenging workouts. There are workouts posted on this site that are excellent. When you imporve, do the workouts as you can, and modify where you need to. The key is to not injur yourself, otherwise, you won't be doing any event in August. So, build up slowly, and nake sure you stretch. Doing too much too soon is a recipie for disaster. Also, for your cross-training, how about working with a personal trainer for a month or so until you learn the ropes...it is worth it, and they can get you to independence, put you on a program, and keep you motivated. Best of luck, Jerrycat ;)

I would like to thank everyone that replied to this. its nice to know that I'm not alone. i have the phone number of a local coach and hopefully he will be willing to take me on. When you live in the mountains of Pennsylvania, the local Y is not around the corner. Wish me luck and thank you again.:D :D