I've made it my new years resolution to get back into the water after being away from masters swimming for about six years (and two kids and countless sympathy pounds!) Once upon a time I had a bit of an obsessive personality when it came to working out. I always did too much too soon. Can anyone recommend a good read or a good online program that might help me better plan or pace my return to the water. I'm in my late 30's now and I'm starting to feel the aches and pains that I use to kid my dad about... we have an excellent masters program in my area but the emphasis (rightfully so) tends to me on appeasing the general populace during workout and not helping the out-of-shape get back into shape (safely). I'm expecting that I'll need to take care to watch over this myself.
Anyway, thanks for your insight!
Brandon
If its been a while since you've done a lot of exercise, listening to your body could be pretty hit or miss. You could mistake stress for fatigue, which could be bad. Also, I think a lot depends on what is hurting. For example, with my knee, any time this fall i felt the slighest hint that I overdid something either kicking or with a turn, I stopped dead in my tracks and got out. However, with my shoulders, I tend to try to swim through. I think a lifetime of bad knee is worse than shoulder issues.
Having come back from injuries several times in the last few years, I agree that you should ease back into things. But one thing that has helped me a lot is stretching. It helps with cramp preventative maintenence.
Cramps are (to me) a sign that you're working hard - harder than your body is prepared for, but NOT harder than your body can handle. If you find yourself cramping, stretch and massage, and ease back into what you were doing. Killing a practice b/c of a cramp tells my body it can make me give up, and I want to let it know it needs to adapt and keep on trucking. No pain no gain, right? :dedhorse: To keep the cramps away, stretch, drink water (eat some salts w/ water to help retain some water) or gatorade.
If its been a while since you've done a lot of exercise, listening to your body could be pretty hit or miss. You could mistake stress for fatigue, which could be bad. Also, I think a lot depends on what is hurting. For example, with my knee, any time this fall i felt the slighest hint that I overdid something either kicking or with a turn, I stopped dead in my tracks and got out. However, with my shoulders, I tend to try to swim through. I think a lifetime of bad knee is worse than shoulder issues.
Having come back from injuries several times in the last few years, I agree that you should ease back into things. But one thing that has helped me a lot is stretching. It helps with cramp preventative maintenence.
Cramps are (to me) a sign that you're working hard - harder than your body is prepared for, but NOT harder than your body can handle. If you find yourself cramping, stretch and massage, and ease back into what you were doing. Killing a practice b/c of a cramp tells my body it can make me give up, and I want to let it know it needs to adapt and keep on trucking. No pain no gain, right? :dedhorse: To keep the cramps away, stretch, drink water (eat some salts w/ water to help retain some water) or gatorade.
