So I am new to Masters. Swam in HS and barely in college before getting burnt out. It has been about 10 years since then. I am 32 now.
I have been practicing for about 6 weeks for 3-4 evenings a week, and about 3000-3500 yrds per workout.
My high school personal best in the 50Y Free was 21.53. After only 2 weeks of workout, I did about 27-ish and in my recent meet this weekend, I went 25.41, so I have already improved somewhat, but I think getting down to 21s may take some time.
So I was just curious if anyone else had a similar story, how long did it take to get back to your HS times, if it was even possible for you? Years? Many Years?
-David
Parents
Former Member
Thanks for all the replies. As for what shape I was in, during my 10 or so years away, I had gained about 50 pounds at the peak, but about a year ago I got really really sick and lost 40 pounds in 1 month. I gained about 15 back when my health returned, so I started swimming on my own and doing some treadmill work for a few months prior to joining the masters team. As of now I am about 225-230 and I think my ideal weight will be something like 200-205. So I dont know exactly what that means as far as "shape", but I was definitely probably in better starting shape than some. I think if I can lose about 15-20 pounds I can remove that barrier to my times.
But I am going to focus on maybe 2 years to try and work really hard to get as close to my original best times as possible. I dont expect it to happen overnight.
Hey David, good to see you on here! You and I are in the same boat, although I'm a little heavier and "used" to be a distance guy. Just keep up with the training, try to incorporate some weights/drylands/cardio on the off days if possible (I know how its tough with kids, full time work and all). Most likely you are a good bit stronger than you were back in HS so you'll have at least one advantage there. If you want to focus on the 50 you'll want to focus in on explosiveness and turnover....off the blocks, break out, walls.
Me, I just don't have the fast twitch muscle to pull it off. I may be okay for low/mid-level meets but I'd get waxed at bigger meets. I need to get back into the middle distances where I belong!
Thanks for all the replies. As for what shape I was in, during my 10 or so years away, I had gained about 50 pounds at the peak, but about a year ago I got really really sick and lost 40 pounds in 1 month. I gained about 15 back when my health returned, so I started swimming on my own and doing some treadmill work for a few months prior to joining the masters team. As of now I am about 225-230 and I think my ideal weight will be something like 200-205. So I dont know exactly what that means as far as "shape", but I was definitely probably in better starting shape than some. I think if I can lose about 15-20 pounds I can remove that barrier to my times.
But I am going to focus on maybe 2 years to try and work really hard to get as close to my original best times as possible. I dont expect it to happen overnight.
Hey David, good to see you on here! You and I are in the same boat, although I'm a little heavier and "used" to be a distance guy. Just keep up with the training, try to incorporate some weights/drylands/cardio on the off days if possible (I know how its tough with kids, full time work and all). Most likely you are a good bit stronger than you were back in HS so you'll have at least one advantage there. If you want to focus on the 50 you'll want to focus in on explosiveness and turnover....off the blocks, break out, walls.
Me, I just don't have the fast twitch muscle to pull it off. I may be okay for low/mid-level meets but I'd get waxed at bigger meets. I need to get back into the middle distances where I belong!
