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?
It sounds like if you've lost your fitness/gained weight the first year or several years back into swiming will be regaining fitness and losing weight before any significant time will drop. After that it sounds like it takes a year or more of dedicated reasonably scheduled swimming to get close to former times.
These replies are really fantastic! Keep 'em coming. Thanks!
I had one comeback at 46 then another at 50. At 52, I swam lifetime bests in the 200IM, 500, 1000, 1650 and was right at my college times in the 200 *** and 400IM.
Never was much of a sprinter so I don't have anything to compare with.
Do you have to rub it in, supergirl? Jeez, somone better warn Michelle, if she doesn't already know, that you're a world champ.
How do you do this? You must have some remarkable physiology going on there ... You didn't say, but I assume you were in super shape between college and 46?
Maybe sprinters will disagree, but I don't think it's all that difficult to get within a second of your best 50 time and maybe 2-3 of your 100 with a few months of consistent, hard training (at least three days and probably four days a week). Anything 200 and up will take a much more concerted effort. Anyway, this has been my experience, but I was and am not a sprinter, so maybe my times 50 and 100 times are easier to get back to than people who actually excel at these events!
I returned to swimming after ten years off at age 32. It would obviously be more difficult if you returned to the sport in your 40s or 50s.
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.
Maybe sprinters will disagree, but I don't think it's all that difficult to get within a second of your best 50 time and maybe 2-3 of your 100 with a few months of consistent, hard training (at least three days and probably four days a week). Anything 200 and up will take a much more concerted effort. Anyway, this has been my experience, but I was and am not a sprinter, so maybe my times 50 and 100 times are easier to get back to than people who actually excel at these events!
I returned to swimming after ten years off at age 32. It would obviously be more difficult if you returned to the sport in your 40s or 50s.
I returned in my mid-40's. I'd agree with your comments about the 50 and the 100 events, but if I EVER got within less than 8 seconds of my 200 time, I'd be in extreme disbelief. I think that after 45 years, age catches up with you. Luckily for me, treachery still counts for something.
Just so the original poster knows, Jon Blank swam sub 1:00 100 breaststrokes at SC Nationals in both 2005 and 2006 in the 45-49 age group, so he's no slouch!
I just wanted to clear up something I said in my first posting....and that is that I agree 100% with what Paul and others have said here about getting back to within reasonable range of your personal bests from high school and college. I also believe that staying in good shape (which includes not gaining too much weight) during the layoff from swimming is a definite advantage. I have no one to blame but myself for letting myself get so out of shape over the years. I think it might still be possible for me (and others like me who may also have gained a bit too much over the years) to get back to within a decent range of our personal best times.....it's just going to be a little harder for us perhaps. I like the way Ande keeps a good record of his weight. I think I will try and emulate a similar approach. I found Donna's story to be a real inspiration also....Congrats Donna! Thanks for sharing your story with us...I wish you the very best of luck in your swimming pursuits!
Newmastersswimmer
Maybe sprinters will disagree, but I don't think it's all that difficult to get within a second of your best 50 time and maybe 2-3 of your 100 with a few months of consistent, hard training (at least three days and probably four days a week).
I returned to swimming after ten years off at age 32. It would obviously be more difficult if you returned to the sport in your 40s or 50s.
In my case, returning after a 36 year break and training about 3.2 times a week, it took 4 years to get to under 3 seconds of my best LCM 50m time (27.8 vs 24.9)
I believe this is mainly due to the time needed to rebuild some upper body strength lost by not swimming at all. (OK, maybe I don't train like a dog either, but rather try for consistency)
Your point on returning in your late 50's is very valid especially for a 100m - I only got to about 7 seconds off my best. It's probably even more valid for the 200 and up, but that's long distance stuff I don't worry about (too much training required)
No 'reborn swimmer' should get discouraged if they don't hit times close to their best in mere months - depending on age, technical ability and training intensity, your mileage will vary.
Ian.
How do you do this? You must have some remarkable physiology going on there ... You didn't say, but I assume you were in super shape between college and 46?
I was heavily into cycling (so aerobic capacity was decent) but I think the major reason can be attributed to year-round swimming. I never worked out continuously in HS or college.
