I stumbled across the site looking for some workouts online. I have been sort of interested in getting into masters swimming but have always fabricated some excuse why I couldn't. I swam competetively since I was 8 through high school but stopped just short of the college level. I swam during my college days just to try and stay in shape and the coaches eyeballed me in the pool and wanted to know why I wouldn't try out. I was having too much fun in college to get up at 4AM and run. :) Although the swim team always had the best parties...
Anyway, I'm coming up on my 36th birthday and I am very out of shape. I am 6'2" and about 240. I've had enough of this. It's time to do something about this before I turn 40. I've laid out a two month plan to get back to the 2000 yards per session level, and believe me, it will take me 2 months.
At what point should I go ahead and join my local masters? Right now, I'd look silly trying to keep up in practice much less compete. Should I wait until I'm down to 200 pounds and swimming 6000+ yards a week?
BTW, 'Slimy" was my nickname as a kid because the disgusting water we practiced in out at the public olympic outdoor pool turned my hair green and gave it a nice slimy sheen. I'm sure you all have had similar experiences. :D Well, I don't have hair anymore so I can't complain about that. :mad: :D
Brett,
If you want to get down to 200 pounds and up to 6,000 yards per week, it will be much easier to do as part of a Masters team, rather then on your own. Charlotte has some great Masters swimming groups.
If you haven’t already done so, check out www.ncmasters.org/ for information about the local swim options or contact Fritz Lehman ( NCchair@usms.org ). In addition to being a work-class swimmer he is an extremely helpful volunteer.
Hi Slimy!
I started with a masters team in Florida for a short while, when I was just starting.. everyone was WAAAAY better than me, I got left in the dust quite a bit, but no-one cared. Everyone was really supportive, the coach was great, and I felt really encouraged..
I'd definately say go for it with a masters team!
Good luck!
Jeanette.
hi slimy! welcome to our little slice of the swimming world. :D
don't worry about whether or not people are going to be a lot faster than you when you join a masters team! so many masters teams have the full range of ablilites (same with masters meets). i know on my team (big cat masters) we've got people who only learned how to swim 2 years ago the whole way up to a few of us who swam in college... no one is going to be annoyed or angry with you if you're slower than them- that's one of the most awesome (and honestly amazing!) things i've discovered in my 2 years of masters. most masters swimmers are happy that people share their love of the sport!
good luck with everything!
You will lose weight doing Masters, for sure. Works for me every time (I've done it three times with three kids-still working on #3!)
Be like Nike- "Just do it"
Thanks for response Rob...
I guess I envisioned losing the weight I want first, and then joining a masters group. I am just afriad I'd have folks slapping my feet in practice for a good long while. I have swam off and on for years by myself but have never stuck to a workout schedule for any length of time. This time, I've got one made up that should get me where I want to be. Or should I just suck it up and show up to practice and tough it out??
Thanks for the link, I'll check it out!
Welcome, Slimy! I think you'll like it here; I've not only learned a lot but I've gotten a lot of swimming support and there's always the benefit of the once in a while debate thread or in our case today...the "as the swimming world turns" thread! Sometimes it gets a little crazy around here but it's all in fun...
So enjoy!
Originally posted by Fishgrrl
Welcome, Slimy! I think you'll like it here; I've not only learned a lot but I've gotten a lot of swimming support and there's always the benefit of the once in a while debate thread or in our case today...the "as the swimming world turns" thread! Sometimes it gets a little crazy around here but it's all in fun...
So enjoy!
I fit "crazy" pretty well. :D
Slimy,
You will find supportive community not just here but likely at any masters club you go to for workouts. A lot of people here can testify that they weren't in the best shape to start out with...even for longtime masters swimmers that is an ongoing process. You'll find people of all fitness levels and abilities in your workout groups. Try searching these forums by typing "weight" or "newbie," you will find a lot on these subjects. Here is one thread that was particularly active and interesting:
forums.usms.org/showthread.php
And in my opinion, going it alone is very tough. I've had to do that for 2 years for reasons beyond my control - with lackluster results in terms of my performance and fitness. Because I like racing, the swim meets keep me reasonably motivated, but it's just hard (for me) to attack workouts or stay focused when going solo. I plan to join a team next year though, when I'm back in the States.
Good luck to you!
Katherine
