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
It all depends on how much you swim, how you train, and what kind of shape you are in.
Straight talk:
6'1 and 225-230 = not in shape. Unless you are some sort of body builder. On a good swimmers body, you are 35-50 pounds over weight - and I bet you are that amount above what you were in your 21.5 days.
How much do you train - 3x times a week is great for a Masters swimmer, but not enough to get back into racing shape for most.
How do you train - our team does almost no sprint work and if we do it - it's at the end of practice. Speed needs a lot of fast swimming.
Having said all that - at 32, there is no reason you can't swim under 22 again.
I agree. I said earlier I have about 20 pounds to lose before I am at my ideal weight, it may be closer to 30. I dont know if 180 will ever be healthy for me without sacrificing some muscle, but I could be wrong. I was 180 in high school. Currently I am doing 3-4 evening workouts of around 3000-3500 yards, I will add saturday at some point. Our team does a decent mix of distance and sprint training, but when I start hitting a wall, I will re-focus my workout appropriately, I have plenty room to gain just getting back into shape.
It all depends on how much you swim, how you train, and what kind of shape you are in.
Straight talk:
6'1 and 225-230 = not in shape. Unless you are some sort of body builder. On a good swimmers body, you are 35-50 pounds over weight - and I bet you are that amount above what you were in your 21.5 days.
How much do you train - 3x times a week is great for a Masters swimmer, but not enough to get back into racing shape for most.
How do you train - our team does almost no sprint work and if we do it - it's at the end of practice. Speed needs a lot of fast swimming.
Having said all that - at 32, there is no reason you can't swim under 22 again.
I agree. I said earlier I have about 20 pounds to lose before I am at my ideal weight, it may be closer to 30. I dont know if 180 will ever be healthy for me without sacrificing some muscle, but I could be wrong. I was 180 in high school. Currently I am doing 3-4 evening workouts of around 3000-3500 yards, I will add saturday at some point. Our team does a decent mix of distance and sprint training, but when I start hitting a wall, I will re-focus my workout appropriately, I have plenty room to gain just getting back into shape.
