What do YOU need to do to have a major swimming breakthrough?"
I started this thread over in the work outs section which I think doesn't get as much traffic as the general discussion board
so here's the link
forums.usms.org/showthread.php
but my point is,
No matter what, the time between right now and your focus meet is going to pass, and the things you do to prepare for your meet is of the UTMOST importance.
the choices you make
the chances you take
swim hard in practice
rehearse racing
I want to read your story about your breakthrough.
Decide it starts today
that this season will be your best season EVER
What do you need to do to make this true?
Ande
I'm here to celebrate a breakthrough and ask a question. For the first time in about 10 years, my freestyle times have dropped significantly in the last 6 months. I have been swimming this whole time. The only changes are that I have been doing more feel-for-the-water types of drills and a bit more yardage and definitely more freestyle yardage (the past few years I have focused a lot on my 200 *** and 400 IM). Anyway, I actually dropped 30 seconds in my 800 this month compared to last year. Anyway, while I'm swimming faster, I have gained about 5 pounds. I don't know if I am just eating too much or if I could have somehow gained muscle, but I haven't been lifting with any regularity (bad I know). Has this happened to anyone else? Should I try to drop the weight? I was and still am in the normal range for my height. I just feel confused to be heavier and somehow faster and in better freestyle shape at the same time!
Chlorini:
Congrats on the big time drops!!! :applaud:
As to your question, I've also gained 5 pounds in the past 2 years since starting masters swimming, kind of gradually. I have been lifting more, I think, but swimming just seems to make my shoulders grow and become very muscular. (I've been getting a bit faster too.) I think, based on what you've said your height and weight were before, that you shouldn't worry too much. (Although lifting might actually help you lose weight by raising your metabolism -- as well as protecting your shoulders.) It all depends on how you feel and look. Use the mirror test, not the scales test. But if you're training that much and going that fast, sounds like you don't have to worry and it's just more muscle. Maybe it's a "girl" thing. I would rather be my previously leaner "runner" weight, but I think those 5 pounds, at least for me, are just the price of swimming.
(Also, there are many factors that go into the weight thing. Could be age, could be overeating, etc. Swimmers do seem to eat a lot compared to other athletes when they're training. Hard to pin down the cause exactly.)
I'm here to celebrate a breakthrough and ask a question. For the first time in about 10 years, my freestyle times have dropped significantly in the last 6 months. I have been swimming this whole time. The only changes are that I have been doing more feel-for-the-water types of drills and a bit more yardage and definitely more freestyle yardage (the past few years I have focused a lot on my 200 *** and 400 IM). Anyway, I actually dropped 30 seconds in my 800 this month compared to last year. Anyway, while I'm swimming faster, I have gained about 5 pounds. I don't know if I am just eating too much or if I could have somehow gained muscle, but I haven't been lifting with any regularity (bad I know). Has this happened to anyone else? Should I try to drop the weight? I was and still am in the normal range for my height. I just feel confused to be heavier and somehow faster and in better freestyle shape at the same time!
Chlorini:
Congrats on the big time drops!!! :applaud:
As to your question, I've also gained 5 pounds in the past 2 years since starting masters swimming, kind of gradually. I have been lifting more, I think, but swimming just seems to make my shoulders grow and become very muscular. (I've been getting a bit faster too.) I think, based on what you've said your height and weight were before, that you shouldn't worry too much. (Although lifting might actually help you lose weight by raising your metabolism -- as well as protecting your shoulders.) It all depends on how you feel and look. Use the mirror test, not the scales test. But if you're training that much and going that fast, sounds like you don't have to worry and it's just more muscle. Maybe it's a "girl" thing. I would rather be my previously leaner "runner" weight, but I think those 5 pounds, at least for me, are just the price of swimming.
(Also, there are many factors that go into the weight thing. Could be age, could be overeating, etc. Swimmers do seem to eat a lot compared to other athletes when they're training. Hard to pin down the cause exactly.)
