With all the super fast times being slung around on this board, I have to wonder how long it took people to get there.
If you are a reborn swimmer, how long did it take you to get close (within say 5 seconds on a 100, 2-3 seconds on a 50) to your previous best times?
Did it take two a day or 2 hour a day swimming to get close to college/age group times again? Or is it just a matter of remembering how to swim fast and being dedicated with the time you do have?
Any advice for those re-joining the swimming ranks and are excited to compete but still stuck waaay behind former best times (like 20 seconds in a 100 and 8 seconds in a 50) and getting depressed coming in last in their age group?
My advice is don't focus on getting all back fast......there is an entirely differant group I see try to make a comeback who are super motivated, training 2x a day....and are either injured or burned out and gone in 6-12 months.
I'd agree with Paul here. I think the real benefits from Masters swimming are in improved fitness and renewed/new friendships with teammates. I wasn't trying to "make a comeback" when I got back to swim training, it was just that someone had vandalized my rowing shell and I couldn't row anymore. If one overtrains as a "senior" athlete, one only invites injury. I do think that keeping reasonably fit in the 23 years I wasn't a competitive swimmer helped, though.
My advice is don't focus on getting all back fast......there is an entirely differant group I see try to make a comeback who are super motivated, training 2x a day....and are either injured or burned out and gone in 6-12 months.
I'd agree with Paul here. I think the real benefits from Masters swimming are in improved fitness and renewed/new friendships with teammates. I wasn't trying to "make a comeback" when I got back to swim training, it was just that someone had vandalized my rowing shell and I couldn't row anymore. If one overtrains as a "senior" athlete, one only invites injury. I do think that keeping reasonably fit in the 23 years I wasn't a competitive swimmer helped, though.
