I'm going to shoot for the moon...help?

Two responses: 1. It was 100m not yds. So that should clear up any questions on that one. 2. I know this is a huge goal, I'm not that ignorant. I work very hard for what I get, and if I can't get there...so what? Yeah, I'll be upset, but at least I will know that I did my best and it just wasn't for me. Right now I just need to prove to myself if I could have been there or if my 3rd grade goal of being in the olympics was just too much. I have 4 years. No I will not move schools, education is more important to me that fulfilling a sport-related goal. I have found a competitive team that has a masters program (for morning practices) and will allow me to practice with the high school elites when marching band is over in the fall. Until then I have morning practices m/w/f, water polo practices tu/th afternoon, and dry land tu/th morning. That's more than I'm used to and will carry my through December. At that point I can move up with the elites in the spring, no more band, and still have water polo. Baylor's not that competitive, so practices for that are only 2 hours 2 days a week. I'll have you know that I quit swimming for two reasons: one, my coach was horrible, a ***, and didn't push us, just yelled at us for being 'horrible'. Two, I had to choose two of band, school, or swimming. And because my coach was horrible and if I stayed in band they would not let me stay in Varsity I just said (in my 17 year old hot temper) that I quit. It probably wasn't the right answer, but you really can't change the past. Last thing. I asked for help, not criticism. I don't need a reality check because I know how hard this is going to be. I used to watch Gary Hall Jr. practice every day when I swam club at Phoenix Swim Club. I saw what he went through, but then I saw how he came out of it. I may be 20, young, and ignorant, but please don't underestimate my stupidity.

Here is some advice - I have been to the Olympics - and I have watched some of the elite swimmers train over the last 25 years: - I don't think you must be part of a great program (or that moving is a Must), but you do need a good coach at some point. - You don't have to start training 25 hours a week right away, but I think any major changes in technique - if they are required - should be made as soon as possible. Maybe a visit to the Race Club in the Fall ? - Fitness - take a good look at Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin. They are extremely fit athletes - much of this comes from work outside of the pool and diet. I know you are taking on a lot already - but I would add to the dryland work if at all possible. - Tell your friends and family (you have probably done that already since you are posting here) - it makes it more real - Swim some meets (masters is ok) - even if you are way off your times and think it will discourage you. The clock tells you the truth and that's the only way you can find out exactly where you are at.

not trying to put her in her place just giving her a dose of reality plus I hoped to piss her off a little to push her in the "I'll prove him wrong mindset" which is supporting her In your enthusiasm to put the girl in her place you forgot to read what she said. Goal is to make trials, not the team. You also missed the part about "support." Step one to make the goal happen is to get in the water. You two: quit band and water polo. Your climb is very steep so you cannot afford the distractions. You will need to devote 2-4 hours aday for the next 4 eyars to do this. The reason that Ande was being skeptical is that most of us have heard your story before. What always happens is the person will get in the water a few hours per week and not come remotely close to giving it a real effort. Chances are you will be like everyone else. But that is 100% your choice.

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.

I would shoot for training with an elite club team with some top notch senior swimmers. Nothing against masters (I am one), but you will not get the in practice and meet competition that you need to compete at an elite level. Most high level swimmers incorporate 6000 - 8000 meters/yards per day, so figure on a minimum of 3-4 hours per day (most likely way up from your high school workouts). Also, while elite level swimmers do make comebacks after time off - it is far less common (near impossible) for mid-level swimmers to suddenly become elite later in life (and 24 will not be young in the Olympics). With that said, train hard and see what results you get. The first obsticle will be to even match your old times (and endurace). Best of luck in it all!

if it's meters you might stand a chance if it's yards you have a lot of work and not much hope top be safe it will probably take a 54.0 LCM to make the 2012 team in the 100 free maybe 53.7 to be safer In your enthusiasm to put the girl in her place you forgot to read what she said. Goal is to make trials, not the team. You also missed the part about "support." Step one to make the goal happen is to get in the water. You two: quit band and water polo. Your climb is very steep so you cannot afford the distractions. You will need to devote 2-4 hours aday for the next 4 eyars to do this. The reason that Ande was being skeptical is that most of us have heard your story before. What always happens is the person will get in the water a few hours per week and not come remotely close to giving it a real effort. Chances are you will be like everyone else. But that is 100% your choice.

Here is some advice - I have been to the Olympics - and I have watched some of the elite swimmers train over the last 25 years: - I don't think you must be part of a great program (or that moving is a Must), but you do need a good coach at some point. - You don't have to start training 25 hours a week right away, but I think any major changes in technique - if they are required - should be made as soon as possible. Maybe a visit to the Race Club in the Fall ? - Fitness - take a good look at Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin. They are extremely fit athletes - much of this comes from work outside of the pool and diet. I know you are taking on a lot already - but I would add to the dryland work if at all possible. - Tell your friends and family (you have probably done that already since you are posting here) - it makes it more real - Swim some meets (masters is ok) - even if you are way off your times and think it will discourage you. The clock tells you the truth and that's the only way you can find out exactly where you are at. Thank you. Everything you said is what I need to hear. Especially the healthier diet thing. I have the training, I have the dicipline, I just need to keep going. :-)

OK, we won't! :banana: Thanks, but by stupidity I am pretty sure you know what I meant. As in I'm too stupid and young to do what's logical. And this is not logical.

Now do ya'll believe me that I'm not going to just up and quit? I'm not sure what more I need to prove to ya'll to get any respect for at least TRYING to achieve a goal. I mean seriously, even if I try and don't meet my goal, I should at least get the credit for getting my butt back in the pool and giving it a shot.... Whoa there. I understand that some folks may have expressed doubts but please don't lump everyone into that category. It sounds like you are on right path. But consistently swimming 1:10s in practice will make you really good at swimming 1:10s. If you are not already, mix it up, do some lactic sets of 10x100 on 5:00 sprints. If you're training SCM, fast 125s. Throw in descend sets, kick sets, wall drills (EZ free between the flags, sprint free inside the flags), kick sets, kick sets, kick sets. Sounds like you are doing the right thing for you, keep it up and keep us posted!!!!!!

Madeline - Sounds like you are doing great! Impressive intervals, especially considering that you have been out of the water!! :applaud: Keep up the work and give us another report soon!