My name is Carl and I just wanted to stop in and say hi as someone who is getting ready to return to the water after 16 years (and looking for a good starting point)
I swam varsity all through HS as a multi-purpose member of the team. Back, ***, Free and by default IM or Relay (pick any 3) depending on the lineup. Also played water polo for the short time our school had it available. Well, since leaving HS I have been out of the water except for play time.
Now here I am at 33 and I have given myself 2 years to get back into competitive shape. I don't expect the shape I was in 16 years ago, but even half that would be worth it at this point in my life. I'd also love to be able to do some light competition again. I consider myself slightly overweight at (6'1" 200lbs) and out of shape after getting married and having 2 boys of my own now. We just joined up at the YMCA which also has a cross membership with a local recreation complex both with indoor pool facilities. I'm planning to shop in the next day or two to get a gear bag back together (although the goggles I will have to order since nobody local sells swedish goggles which I prefer) and head on down to start towards my goal.
I can still Fly, but probably no more than 25Y at a time and that would be pushing it. I can still do back and free comfortable and relaxed but my kick is quite lacking from what I remember and awkard feeling and my *** feels slow and out of synch. I'm assuming that will all come back with time in the water.
Sorry for rambling, but the end result is that I'm in need of a good workout program to be in the water at least 3 days a week and on my bowflex and bike at least 2 additional days. I'm starting to comb through these forums for help in this, but if anyone can offer any direct assistance, I would be greatly appreciative.
Thanks!!
Great forum and great suggestions all. Thank you!
I set a broad goal a bit further out than I would like specifically becuase I don't know what my starting point is going to be yet and with 2 young kids life does have a tendency of getting in the way from time to time.
I believe I'm going to start out with the Zero to 1 Mile workout above to get back into the stroke of things so to speak. I'm also hoping to spend some time with some local masters swimmers and a coach for motivation and stroke work but since there don't appear to be any at my local centers that I belong to I haven't figured out my best course of action on that one yet.
I've been swimming on my own for the last three months and thus far have been able to self-motivate within my workouts. I'd recommend doing the same for people just getting back into the water because you can do things at your own pace. You don't have to worry about keeping up, getting lapped, etc.
I am thinking of joining a team this winter when my summertime pool closes in late October but haven't decided. I think being on a team will help push me, but it may push me more than I want.
Great forum and great suggestions all. Thank you!
I set a broad goal a bit further out than I would like specifically becuase I don't know what my starting point is going to be yet and with 2 young kids life does have a tendency of getting in the way from time to time.
I believe I'm going to start out with the Zero to 1 Mile workout above to get back into the stroke of things so to speak. I'm also hoping to spend some time with some local masters swimmers and a coach for motivation and stroke work but since there don't appear to be any at my local centers that I belong to I haven't figured out my best course of action on that one yet.
I've been swimming on my own for the last three months and thus far have been able to self-motivate within my workouts. I'd recommend doing the same for people just getting back into the water because you can do things at your own pace. You don't have to worry about keeping up, getting lapped, etc.
I am thinking of joining a team this winter when my summertime pool closes in late October but haven't decided. I think being on a team will help push me, but it may push me more than I want.
