Hey Ya’ll
This is something I need to post. Last night I was watching the women’s swimming at the Olympics with my parents. After a side comment on how I “could have been there” by my mom I realized that she was right. In high school I was a Varsity swimmer with my 100 Fr at 58.54. This was me, not trying too hard, and focusing on other things. This included skipping practices and only working out once a day on school days. I’m now newly 20, and only 3 years out of practice (only…). I want to get back to where I was, if not better.
So as of now I have decided to set a goal to get to the Olympic time trials for London 2012. It’s a big goal, as I’m also in the band, H2O polo and studying to be a Mechanical Engineer. All I said was time trials, if I make it further I’m going for it, but all I want is to make it to time trials. I have 4 years, 14 days, and about 9 hours until the opening ceremonies of those Olympics.
So what do I ask of ya’ll? SUPPORT! Please help me to keep up with my workouts (I will be joining a local masters program). I’ll also be posting more often in this forum.
Thanks for your support, hopefully you’ll start to hear my name more often.
Madeline
Madeline,
A fine goal. Not sure what course that time you quoted was in but I will try to provide two possible scenarios. These are general suggestions and are intended as a starting point, as in all things YMMV.
LCM:
Then you're about 1.5 - 2 seconds short of where you would need to be in 2012 (assuming that the trials cut is going to be in the 57.00 range, it was 57.18 this year).
You will need to:
1) Find a team where there is at some emphasis on competition.
2) Block off at least 5-7 hours per week for swimming.
3) Incorporate dryland training that emphasizes core strength and flexibility. Block off at least 5 hours for this training.
4) Alter your eating habits depending on your current overall physiology and what your goals are.
5) Compete - this is also a crucial part of training, you need to learn how to race.
SCM:
Converting the time, puts you at about 59.61 LCM which is about 3 seconds short of where you would need to be.
1) Find a coach - by this I mean, find someone who will work with you on a daily basis, make stroke corrections, discuss race strategy, create workouts based upon your current situation and your goals.
2) Block off at least 8-12 hours per week for swimming.
3) Incorporate dryland training that emphasizes core strength and flexibility. Block off 5-8 hours per week for this training.
4) Generate a training specific eating plan that will maximize your nutrition.
5) Compete - this is also a crucial part of training, you need to learn how to race.
So depending on where you are now, you are either looking at an investment of at least 15 hours a week training and as much as 20+ hours a week.
Good luck.
Madeline,
A fine goal. Not sure what course that time you quoted was in but I will try to provide two possible scenarios. These are general suggestions and are intended as a starting point, as in all things YMMV.
LCM:
Then you're about 1.5 - 2 seconds short of where you would need to be in 2012 (assuming that the trials cut is going to be in the 57.00 range, it was 57.18 this year).
You will need to:
1) Find a team where there is at some emphasis on competition.
2) Block off at least 5-7 hours per week for swimming.
3) Incorporate dryland training that emphasizes core strength and flexibility. Block off at least 5 hours for this training.
4) Alter your eating habits depending on your current overall physiology and what your goals are.
5) Compete - this is also a crucial part of training, you need to learn how to race.
SCM:
Converting the time, puts you at about 59.61 LCM which is about 3 seconds short of where you would need to be.
1) Find a coach - by this I mean, find someone who will work with you on a daily basis, make stroke corrections, discuss race strategy, create workouts based upon your current situation and your goals.
2) Block off at least 8-12 hours per week for swimming.
3) Incorporate dryland training that emphasizes core strength and flexibility. Block off 5-8 hours per week for this training.
4) Generate a training specific eating plan that will maximize your nutrition.
5) Compete - this is also a crucial part of training, you need to learn how to race.
So depending on where you are now, you are either looking at an investment of at least 15 hours a week training and as much as 20+ hours a week.
Good luck.
