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.
Parents
Former Member
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?
The standards are the same. There are fancy versions of everything, but most people still used the basics.
2. Can you recommend a good practice suit? / competition suit?
This has improved. There are 100% PBT suits that will last forever. No idea what PBT stands for, but I have a suit that is 7 years old now, still jet black, and eventually I expect the stitching to fail. They are about as lasting as the old 100% nylon suits, with a bit more give, but not as much give as the lycra suits. Lycra suits are still the most common, and if you actually want your suits to wear out so you can wear something different, lycra is still the way to go.
I think jammers caught on after you quit, so you have an option other than briefs. I don't like them, too much drag. The 100% PBT is not a race suit :)
3. How pitiful should I expect to be? I haven't exactly been a paragon of fitness over the past 15 yrs.
You are going to be horrible. Be happy if you can wash your back after practice for the first few weeks. It took me about six months before I felt like I could really train again. Your rate of return has a lot to do with how much effort you put into it, but still, months not weeks.
4. Any pitfalls I should look out for? I quit originally because of impingement in both shoulders (yeah- I'm a wimp)
Yeah, your shoulders are actually in worse shape now than when you quit. Consider working on stroke changes from day one. Changing to a wider hand entry has helped keep my shoulders happy as well as regular RC exercises. Buy some stretch cords, they are the same as they were 15 years ago.
I went to Karlyn Pipes Aquatic Edge clinic a few months ago, and that is why I changed my stroke. Before then, it would be difficult for my shoulders to be fine for high yardage days or swimming several days in a row. Now a 5k days are not a concern, nor is swimming 10 days in a row.
Meet results, records and top 10 times are all available on the usms.org site. Just look under competition.
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?
The standards are the same. There are fancy versions of everything, but most people still used the basics.
2. Can you recommend a good practice suit? / competition suit?
This has improved. There are 100% PBT suits that will last forever. No idea what PBT stands for, but I have a suit that is 7 years old now, still jet black, and eventually I expect the stitching to fail. They are about as lasting as the old 100% nylon suits, with a bit more give, but not as much give as the lycra suits. Lycra suits are still the most common, and if you actually want your suits to wear out so you can wear something different, lycra is still the way to go.
I think jammers caught on after you quit, so you have an option other than briefs. I don't like them, too much drag. The 100% PBT is not a race suit :)
3. How pitiful should I expect to be? I haven't exactly been a paragon of fitness over the past 15 yrs.
You are going to be horrible. Be happy if you can wash your back after practice for the first few weeks. It took me about six months before I felt like I could really train again. Your rate of return has a lot to do with how much effort you put into it, but still, months not weeks.
4. Any pitfalls I should look out for? I quit originally because of impingement in both shoulders (yeah- I'm a wimp)
Yeah, your shoulders are actually in worse shape now than when you quit. Consider working on stroke changes from day one. Changing to a wider hand entry has helped keep my shoulders happy as well as regular RC exercises. Buy some stretch cords, they are the same as they were 15 years ago.
I went to Karlyn Pipes Aquatic Edge clinic a few months ago, and that is why I changed my stroke. Before then, it would be difficult for my shoulders to be fine for high yardage days or swimming several days in a row. Now a 5k days are not a concern, nor is swimming 10 days in a row.
Meet results, records and top 10 times are all available on the usms.org site. Just look under competition.
