Those who took a lot of time off...how long did it take you to get back in shape?

Lisa777, Listen to Fort and Paul, “The Wise One”. Get started in the pool, but ease into it. Be careful not to try to do too much too soon. Hit some meets as soon as you can. The sooner you get those base times, the sooner and easier it is to see improvement. I started back last September after a 20 year hiatus – just to lose weight and manage cholesterol – I had NO intention of swimming in meets. In December I got the itch to compete, but a six week break during the holidays interrupted everything. I started all over again at the end of January 2007. My first meet was February 11. I was very slow compared to college. But…and this is the best part... I kept practicing and got faster. I pretty much had a meet every three weeks, and it was fun to watch my 100 *** time drop two to three seconds every meet. I went from 1:15 and 2:46 in my first meet in the 100 and 200 yard BR respectively to 1:05 to 2:30 two and a half months later at the end of April. Each meet was VERY motivating!!! Now those times were still way off my college times, but I’m still working on it. Also, be careful about trying to do too much. I fell victim to “over-training” and had to pretty much take a week off swimming recently just to be able get through daily life those days. See here: Overtraining Syndrome Stress and its Relationship to Swimming Restoration and Regeneration Mark I am wondering how long it will take. I have not swum competitively in about 20 years. I have done other exercise in these 20 years but have never been close to being in the condition I was in back then. I wonder how long it will take to get into at least moderate competitive swimming condition. I guess it is all in how one defines things. I currently swim about 3000 yards/work out and my times are a lot slower than they were back when I was in top shape. I am thinking 6 months might be enough to get into moderate shape. Anyone else here go through a similar long time away from the pool get back into fair shape? How long did it take you?

It took me six weeks after a 25 year layoff. But have not been able to get my times any where near what I had done in the past. Just to add to this it takes about six weeks for you to get ready so you can get down to real work.

I'm not sure I can add too much. I started three years ago after no swimming training since 1976 (last year of high school). I raced for the first time (on a whim) about six months after starting and swam a 1:07 100 IM (SCY). I now swim a 1:01+ 100 IM. I improved most in the first year and a half back in the pool. I seem to be improving still, but the rate of improvement is less. I have settled in as a sprinter (I wasn't in high school) because I have zero desire to train enough to do well in 200s or longer.

Midas WOW it sounds like you are doing great. I am so jealous. I dont think my body would ever let me lose to much weight. Someitmes it just does not want to let me lose any:whiteflag:.SIGH. But I must admit the inches are coming off. It does take the body a while to get used to the swimming. I really think people think it is an easy sport. OMG it is so not. Keep up the good work. Hopefully one day I can tell you all that I have lost a ton of weight and am swimming well Cheers Katie

I also had an exact 20 year hiatus. I got back into swimming a year ago and my workouts during the first month were about 400-600 yds per session. It took me about 8-9 months to build up to 3-4k. per workout/practice. I probably was not pushing as hard as some. Aqui es una banana:banana: