Hi All,
I just joined the masters swimming group at my local Y. I swam competitively growing up before quitting my sophomore yr in college (good DIII program) but I've been out of the pool for the past 15 years. My goals are twofold:
1. Get back into some semblance of fitness so my kids dont think Daddy is a couch potato
2. Enjoy a little competition with like minded people.
I'm eager to get back in the water but could use some advice to get re-started:
1. Any equipment changes I need to be aware of or are people using the same kick boards, paddles, fins and pull buoys that I used 15 yrs ago?
2. Can you recommend a good practice suit? / competition suit?
3. How pitiful should I expect to be? I haven't exactly been a paragon of fitness over the past 15 yrs.
4. Any pitfalls I should look out for? I quit originally because of impingement in both shoulders (yeah- I'm a wimp)
I used to be a halfway decent sprinter (50/100 fr & 100 fly were my best events; anything longer than a 200 was the devil)- any idea where I can get a look at competitive times in those events? I just want to know what's respectable for a 35 yr old guy.
HI,
Welcome back, unlike others here, or yourself, I didn't swim much more than the average person prior making it part of my lifestyle. I'm also relatively new to this. But I see threads where folks with prior swimming background overdoing it at first. For what it's worth, I would suggest spending a good portion of your time getting reaquanted, just taking it easy and enjoying it.
4. Any pitfalls I should look out for? I quit originally because of impingement in both shoulders (yeah- I'm a wimp)
I don't believe avoiding shoulder damage is wimpish. If acute pain develops, by all cost's aviod it. There are many theraputic exercises for the shoulders out there to get you conditioned for safe progress. Plus, I'm starting to believe proper form is less demanding on the shoulders.
I just want to know what's respectable for a 35 yr old guy.
Checkout the USMS rulebook located on this site's main page. Here you can see the current records which to me are very impressive, and slight age related time differences.
Later
HI,
Welcome back, unlike others here, or yourself, I didn't swim much more than the average person prior making it part of my lifestyle. I'm also relatively new to this. But I see threads where folks with prior swimming background overdoing it at first. For what it's worth, I would suggest spending a good portion of your time getting reaquanted, just taking it easy and enjoying it.
4. Any pitfalls I should look out for? I quit originally because of impingement in both shoulders (yeah- I'm a wimp)
I don't believe avoiding shoulder damage is wimpish. If acute pain develops, by all cost's aviod it. There are many theraputic exercises for the shoulders out there to get you conditioned for safe progress. Plus, I'm starting to believe proper form is less demanding on the shoulders.
I just want to know what's respectable for a 35 yr old guy.
Checkout the USMS rulebook located on this site's main page. Here you can see the current records which to me are very impressive, and slight age related time differences.
Later
