This discussion forum has played a major role in encouraging me to swim again and I hope it does so for others as well.
I got back in the pool at the end of October 2003 after 6 years of no real lap swimming. It took courage (I'm fifty and an overweight bureaucrat); and motivation ( a first-time ever diagnosis of hypertension). End October I could only do 250 meters.
Today I swam one K freestyle non stop which I hadn't done since 1997 and (yes, I am trying to get into intervals) on Saturday did 1500 meters of varied strokes and intervals.
Some of the threads whose humor and information has been most helpful are the polls on who swims what and how; on times (yes, even slow swimmers (27 minutes for the 1000 meters) can be serious) and all the wonderful tirades on the aqua ladies who want the pool temperature at 85 degrees.
Thanks. I feel like I am getting my life back!
Parents
Former Member
Well, I guess that I am one of the others that Mary mentioned. I have been poaching both encouragement and ideas from this board for several months.
Last April I started swimming laps again in my most recent effort, since I stopped 18 years ago when I swam laps, even including intervals. Back then I was slim and svelte. Then for 18 years I expanded to a pleasingly plumb self, not really. Every four years or so I would start again only to quit after a few weeks.
This time, I have been at it for about eight or nine months going three times a week. When I have to miss, I notice it and look forward to a return to the pool. Like Mary, I started small about 400 meters, I think. Worked my way up to 2,400 meters, but a lot of that was garbage meters. Now I do 1,800 meters of varying intervals in various strokes, pulls and kicks in about 40 to 45 minutes three times a week, while pacing myself based on my pulse (some at 120 or so, some at 140 or so, and a tiny bit up to 160), and then stretching at the end. My distance is a bit sad compared to most on this board; but, it is about me, not comparisons.
So, now at the age of 59, I have lost some weight and built some strength and flexibility. Thanks to dolphin kicks while on my back, one of many ideas lifted from this board, I am sure I am developing killer abs under the diminishing flab that surrounds my middle. I can actually look over my shoulder on both sides when driving and other amazing things that were beyond my stiff, aging body.
Lastly, I read this board on a daily basis to find encouragement to continue. So far it is working and for that I thank you all.
Sorry to be so long and thanks again.
Well, I guess that I am one of the others that Mary mentioned. I have been poaching both encouragement and ideas from this board for several months.
Last April I started swimming laps again in my most recent effort, since I stopped 18 years ago when I swam laps, even including intervals. Back then I was slim and svelte. Then for 18 years I expanded to a pleasingly plumb self, not really. Every four years or so I would start again only to quit after a few weeks.
This time, I have been at it for about eight or nine months going three times a week. When I have to miss, I notice it and look forward to a return to the pool. Like Mary, I started small about 400 meters, I think. Worked my way up to 2,400 meters, but a lot of that was garbage meters. Now I do 1,800 meters of varying intervals in various strokes, pulls and kicks in about 40 to 45 minutes three times a week, while pacing myself based on my pulse (some at 120 or so, some at 140 or so, and a tiny bit up to 160), and then stretching at the end. My distance is a bit sad compared to most on this board; but, it is about me, not comparisons.
So, now at the age of 59, I have lost some weight and built some strength and flexibility. Thanks to dolphin kicks while on my back, one of many ideas lifted from this board, I am sure I am developing killer abs under the diminishing flab that surrounds my middle. I can actually look over my shoulder on both sides when driving and other amazing things that were beyond my stiff, aging body.
Lastly, I read this board on a daily basis to find encouragement to continue. So far it is working and for that I thank you all.
Sorry to be so long and thanks again.
