Hi everyone...I've been more of a lurker around here as I recently started working for US Masters as the web contractor, so I've been behind the scenes.
But today, I got back into the pool for the first time in YEARS. I hadn't done any kind of lap swimming for at least 20 years. I have a brand new Masters group just down the road. Problem is, they don't have a coach yet. So if someone can give me some advice, that would be great.
I did 8 laps (200 yards) *** stroke and thought I would die between each one, but it's a starting point. I would rest for about 30 - 45 seconds between each lap (watching hte clock) and then do another lap. After 100 yards I didn't know if I'd be able to double it, but I did.
Short term goal is to be able to do two laps without having to stop and gasp in between. My mid-term goal is to get my stamina back - I was very atheletic for years and most recently used to do a lot of long distance cycling, so I know it'll come back. My longterm goal is also to lose 50 lbs but know that swimming isn't the best way to do that, but it'll certainly tone me up. I'm dieting and doing other exercise but now I have pulled a calf muscle, so until that heals, swimming will be it for me.
If I had tried freestyle, I doubt I would have made it halfway across the pool!
I look forward to help anyone can offer me. I know I need realtime coaching too but that will have to wait for now.
Thanks,
MJB
Hi Marian,
First of all, welcome back.
Secondly, there are 1446 threads just in the general discussion area alone. "Starting over" has been addressed a number of times previously so if you just start scanning through, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for already in existence.
There's also 590 "workout" discussions so finding workouts should be fairly easy.
Good luck. See you at a meet "soon".
Jim
I am anything but an expert but breaststroke is the most physically demanding stroke, even more so that fly. I do a lot of breaststroke and freestyle in my workouts and the *** laps wear on me much more than the free laps do. I tend to swim an overlap style breaststroke which is extremely exhausting but no pain, no gain right?
Try keeping a workout log. You may not see much improvement from one day to the next, but in six months you'll be impressed with your progress when you look back on your workouts.
Hi Marian,
You can take the fast track to better endurance by focusing on conditioning the legs. Try doing some kicking, and try using fins. I wrote an article for Triathlete Magazine a couple years ago. This article is about the benefits of training with fins. I have attached the article for you.
Best Wishes,
Bill
I still like to swim distance after a long lay off. I try to swim 1500mtrs without stopping. However I usually have to rest after 500 meters. When I am finally able to do 1500 I take it up to 2000mtrs, then 2500, then 3000. It does not matter what stroKe you do, (I don't do any breastroke, bad knees) After you are able to swim 3000mtrs non stop you are ready to do anythig. It takes a race horse 6 weeks to be able to do hard work and it actually takes about the same time for a human.
George
Originally posted by 330man
I am anything but an expert but breaststroke is the most physically demanding stroke, even more so that fly. I do a lot of breaststroke and freestyle in my workouts and the *** laps wear on me much more than the free laps do. I tend to swim an overlap style breaststroke which is extremely exhausting but no pain, no gain right?
Depends on how you are doing the stroke.
Doing it with competition pace and quality is very demanding. But I recall from my childhood days (before any type of competitive swimming) that I could do a relaxed breaststroke all day, it seemed, but couldn't do freestyle to save my life at first.
Don't the YMCA (or the Boy Scouts or Red Cross, one of them, if I recall correctly) swimming classes teach breaststroke (and elementary backstroke) as "resting strokes"?
Oh, and to mbriones: First day in the pool is always grueling. Second and third day too. Take it slow. Take it easy. If you can do tomorrow what you did today with even a margin of less effort, then you are making progress and you can add an extra lap or two the next time. Or decrease your rest period bby 5 seconds.
Baby steps still mean you are making progress.
Thanks for all of the great help here! The way I do the *** stroke is the way of yesteryear. I don't "dolphin" out of the water; I stay flat. Only thing that comes up is my head when I am gasping for air every other stroke. Once I was warmed up yesterday, sometimes I could do 3 strokes before needing air.
I talked to my sister last night, who has been a masters swimmer for over 30 years and she said stay in the pool for about a half hour and see how much I can do in that time. I've also ordered "Fitness Swimming" which was recommended here on some of the workout threads.
I'm going back tomorrow. I'm a little sore around my legs today but not bad!
Marian :cool:
Originally posted by Guvnah
I recall from my childhood days (before any type of competitive swimming) that I could do a relaxed breaststroke all day, it seemed, but couldn't do freestyle to save my life at first.
Don't the YMCA (or the Boy Scouts or Red Cross, one of them, if I recall correctly) swimming classes teach breaststroke (and elementary backstroke) as "resting strokes"?
I agree. Breaststroke can be very a resting stroke, but competitive breaststroke is anything but restful - it is a very demanding stroke. I find that I dread the 200 *** as much as (or maybe more) than the 200 fly.
