After a 24 year absence from competitive swimming I started back two weeks ago. My stroke (crawl) falls apart after about 200 yrds. I can keep going but with a terribly poor stroke. After a short rest my stroke comes back to normal.
I've been swimming a 400 yrd warm up (I'll mix about 50yrds of *** in to save my stroke) then 10 x 50s on the 1:15. After that my stroke is breaking so I swim 25s then my stroke breaks again and I'll swim every other 25 ***. I've been swimming 30 to 45 minutes a day and running the same.
Cardio wise I am in good shape (I've been running everyday for a long time). I can swim *** for long distances with no problem.
Should I keep resting to let my stroke recover or just pound it out? Will swimming *** ever help my free? I would be thankful for any advise. At one time I was "real" swimmer and now I am embarrassed trying to get back.
What is wrong with some nice long swims thinking slow and easy with technique until you can swim about 2000m with ease.
It takes at least 6 weeks before things start to come easily.
I think George's advice is right. You have to start slow. I came back after 24 years as well and, after "pounding it out," immediately came down with tendonitis. Give you body time to adjust to being back in the water. Ramp it up very slowly. Try to swim with good technique. Keep swimming breaststroke. You don't want to do just one stroke. Do some drills and kicking besides all the swimming as well. Amd you might want to do some rotator cuff exercises to prevent the shoulder ouchies. Good luck!!
What is wrong with some nice long swims thinking slow and easy with technique until you can swim about 2000m with ease.
It takes at least 6 weeks before things start to come easily.
I think George's advice is right. You have to start slow. I came back after 24 years as well and, after "pounding it out," immediately came down with tendonitis. Give you body time to adjust to being back in the water. Ramp it up very slowly. Try to swim with good technique. Keep swimming breaststroke. You don't want to do just one stroke. Do some drills and kicking besides all the swimming as well. Amd you might want to do some rotator cuff exercises to prevent the shoulder ouchies. Good luck!!
