Getting into shape is hard to do....

swim 5 days a week quit running keep lifting weights hang in there you'll get used to it ande Hi Ande! Big discussion around weight lifting vs Swimming currently in our team. Michael Phelps never lift weights..he seems to do pretty good in the pool:rolleyes:. Lots of others spending lots of time in the gym as well. You recommend weight lifting as I understand. Why? Do you recommend it even for 35+ age groups? Thx! /Per

I usually run 30 minutes on an elliptical. But I'll hold off for right now, sounds like that seems to be a general concenus. I'm not a swim coach, but running is not the same as an elliptical machine. What setting are you using? Running is much more load bearing and creates greater leg fatigue. It's hard to believe that a short elliptical "run" would hurt much, especially if you want to Parkour. That looks pretty cool. But you may not want to chance it before Nationals if that's your priority.

Thanks Rich!!!! That was beautiful.:smooch:

On Tuesday, I started swimming after not regularly swimming since Labor Day. I had no pool avaiable. I swam 3 times. I rowed and lifted. Three times I ran, I had to stop because of those tricky knees & lungs. I can't believe how out of shape I am for swimming. This is the worst I've ever been, even after a colectomy, not swimming for one month and wearing an ileostomy bag, I swam better. It is really terrifying. I tried to do some fly last night and my shoulders wouldn't let me.

For Seagurl: There was a young lady named Kyra, Who yearned to be a "Parkour-flyer.” When to the forum she spoke, Rich said “Stick to Breaststroke! So at the Nationals you won’t be a crier!” :p

I'm not a swim coach, but running is not the same as an elliptical machine. What setting are you using? Running is much more load bearing and creates greater leg fatigue. It's hard to believe that a short elliptical "run" would hurt much, especially if you want to Parkour. That looks pretty cool. But you may not want to chance it before Nationals if that's your priority. I ususally run on the fat burn or cross-training setting. So a little hard, but not to bad. I'm definately gonna wait to get really into Parkour til after Nationals. But I thought once the snow melts (if it ever melts :frustrated:) it'd be a nice break from the gym. I'm waiting for a few weeks right now on the running, just to ease into my training, but I plan on adding it back in in about 3 weeks or so.

... but by the time 4 rolls around, I'm usually wiped. Problem is evening practice doesn't start until 6:30. .... Also, any ideas to combat exhaustion? ;) I sleep like 8 hours a night (or split up within a 24 hr period...yay naps), exercise everday and still end up super tired. If you have time around 4, have a snack and take a short (15-20 min.) nap and see if that helps. Don't nap for more than that though or you will really feel like s**t, and it may also make it harder to get to sleep later. Because of my work I can't nap in the afternoon, but I find that just eating something between 4 and 5 helps a great deal when I go to the pool at 5:30. I don't eat much either. An orange or banana or a cup full of trail mix is all it takes.

but by the time 4 rolls around, I'm usually wiped. Problem is evening practice doesn't start until 6:30. I have a terrible time motivating myself to go and when I do I usually swim like s**t. Is it worth dragging myself to the pool to swim like crap and further exhaust myself, or should I wait a few weeks and try to add it in slowly (I workout 5 days a week right now, three in the pool)? I'm almost always somewhat tired too, especially at 4:00 pm or so. Poolraat's suggestion is good. I liked napping in college. I can't do it now though. Get the 8 hours consecutively if you can. Make sure your nutrition is right. How long have you been tired? What do college kids eat these days? Otherwise, ignore it. Don't give in to tiredness and skip practice, especially if you're only swimming 3x a week. The secret to getting good in masters swimming is learning how to mentally handle fatigue and tough practices along with daily life. When you are tempted to skip out, think about your goals, like going to nationals. And think to yourself, if I skip practice, can I get to that goal? It's generally better to try to exercise through colds or fatigue as long as it's not severe. Once you skip practice or let down, it's easier to keep doing it. If you fight this urge, you'll usually feel better for having done the workout and eventually the fatigue will go away and you'll feel better anyway. Not that it won't return. But a little mental discipline goes a long way. Having said that, I will now admit that I am really tired from getting up early and I am only going to swim an hour tonight easy by myself during American Idol. But at least I'm dragging myself to the pool. I think I'll work on streamlining and breaststroke. ;)

Because I'm in college I live in a perpetual state of tired. Some days are better than other, but by the time 4 rolls around, I'm usually wiped. Problem is evening practice doesn't start until 6:30. I have a terrible time motivating myself to go and when I do I usually swim like s**t. Is it worth dragging myself to the pool to swim like crap and further exhaust myself, or should I wait a few weeks and try to add it in slowly (I workout 5 days a week right now, three in the pool)? Also, any ideas to combat exhaustion? ;) I sleep like 8 hours a night (or split up within a 24 hr period...yay naps), exercise everday and still end up super tired.

If you have time around 4, have a snack and take a short (15-20 min.) nap and see if that helps. Don't nap for more than that though or you will really feel like s**t, and it may also make it harder to get to sleep later. Because of my work I can't nap in the afternoon, but I find that just eating something between 4 and 5 helps a great deal when I go to the pool at 5:30. I don't eat much either. An orange or banana or a cup full of trail mix is all it takes. I usually do eat...I eat constantly. And I've tried taking "naps" (usually just lay and rest, I can't fall asleep in the afternoons), and I feel better, but within about an hour I feel exhausted again.