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!!
Carl, I started back at age 32 after 10 years out of the pool. I can remember my arms hurting so much I couldn't raise them under my pillow to sleep at night. The first year I only worked out for a few months and attended only 1 meet, our state meet. I didn't set the world on fire but I did do well enough to focus on doing better my second year. I was between jobs the second year so I was able to work out with my former high school team doing 7000 - 8000 per day. I got back to within 1 second of my lifetime best in the 100 free. Since that time, I've transitioned to more of a year round swimmer but only doing about 3000 per day. I'm still within 1.5 seconds of my best 100 and am setting lifetime bests in distance events. Keep at it, it'll all come together. When showing up starts to get hard, find a partner. That way you'll feel guilty if you don't show up and it'll help both of you stay engaged in the workouts.
Carl, I started back at age 32 after 10 years out of the pool. I can remember my arms hurting so much I couldn't raise them under my pillow to sleep at night. The first year I only worked out for a few months and attended only 1 meet, our state meet. I didn't set the world on fire but I did do well enough to focus on doing better my second year. I was between jobs the second year so I was able to work out with my former high school team doing 7000 - 8000 per day. I got back to within 1 second of my lifetime best in the 100 free. Since that time, I've transitioned to more of a year round swimmer but only doing about 3000 per day. I'm still within 1.5 seconds of my best 100 and am setting lifetime bests in distance events. Keep at it, it'll all come together. When showing up starts to get hard, find a partner. That way you'll feel guilty if you don't show up and it'll help both of you stay engaged in the workouts.
