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
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.
David,
Welcome to Masters swimming!
Although my story is different from yours and most others here (I started Masters straight out of College), I would caution you not to make your best times the end-all be-all for your swimming. Remember, you have the rest of your life to swim and live, try to enjoy the trip. That being said, HS times are a great goal to work for, as long as you realize that training now is not as simple as when you were in school. Unless you have won the lottery, you have work, family and other social commitments to deal with, so put swimming into perspective, but enjoy the time you have with it.
This may seem like a lot of burden to deal with, but I have witnessed too many good people set high swimming goals for themselves. Even if they accomplished some of the goals, they burned out getting there. USMS is a lifestyle, not just a sport. We want you when you are 90, too.
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.
David,
Welcome to Masters swimming!
Although my story is different from yours and most others here (I started Masters straight out of College), I would caution you not to make your best times the end-all be-all for your swimming. Remember, you have the rest of your life to swim and live, try to enjoy the trip. That being said, HS times are a great goal to work for, as long as you realize that training now is not as simple as when you were in school. Unless you have won the lottery, you have work, family and other social commitments to deal with, so put swimming into perspective, but enjoy the time you have with it.
This may seem like a lot of burden to deal with, but I have witnessed too many good people set high swimming goals for themselves. Even if they accomplished some of the goals, they burned out getting there. USMS is a lifestyle, not just a sport. We want you when you are 90, too.
