I'm back in the pool after a brief 18 year break consisting mostly of eating chips and watching football. My brief comeback has consisted of 3 coached practices and one swim on my own.
Some Observations:
1. I wish I had found masters swimming organization years ago. This is an amazing group that you have here. I've trolled thru about the first 80 pages of the discussion forums, what a great resource this board is.
2. Just when I start whining about being old (I'm 36). I find posts and pictures here of people much older than I excelling at this sport. I'll button my lip and continue to grind it out in the pool. But please know that you're all a huge inspiration.
3. I am a workout junkie. In high school I was considered one of those guys who overachieved in practice and underachieved in meets. While I enjoyed competing, my brief comeback has convinced me that what I enjoyed and missed the most was the workouts.
4. A coached practice is WAY more effective for me than a self guided tour. Something about having accountability that inspires me to push my boundaries.
5. Butterfly is VERY VERY hard. I tried to do 2 100's this morning and I pulled up lame at about 65 yards. I have a long way to go to be in shape.
6. I'm intrigued by open water events, but the distances seem way scary. Any insight you open water folks can give to a complete noobie I would sure appreciate.
Thank you for all the great posts and stuff here. Eventually you might see me at some local meets in Minnesota, for now I'm just enjoying getting this pudgy body into some sort of shape. I notice some difference already in just a week's time.
Parents
Former Member
Good for you for returning to the pool.
I returned 18 months ago, not knowing what to expect. I could never get into cardio exercise, no matter how interesting I tried to make it. Running, jogging, tread mills, all that just doesn't do it for me, so I struggled to keep at it consistently. I play hockey, but that's once a week, and with little ones at home, it's less.
Swimming, on the other hand, has been great for me. For some reason, I am consistently swimming for an hour 3-5 times per week. I am still trying to figure out why it is more fun to me than running ever has been. Perhaps I think too much.
So welcome! I think you'll enjoy it, and this is a fantastic resource for support.
Good for you for returning to the pool.
I returned 18 months ago, not knowing what to expect. I could never get into cardio exercise, no matter how interesting I tried to make it. Running, jogging, tread mills, all that just doesn't do it for me, so I struggled to keep at it consistently. I play hockey, but that's once a week, and with little ones at home, it's less.
Swimming, on the other hand, has been great for me. For some reason, I am consistently swimming for an hour 3-5 times per week. I am still trying to figure out why it is more fun to me than running ever has been. Perhaps I think too much.
So welcome! I think you'll enjoy it, and this is a fantastic resource for support.
