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.
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.
I got back into swimming summer 08 after 13 years away, so I know what your going through. I was fairly active, but I knew swimming was a different animal. I am using the same equipment I had 13 years ago, mainly pull bouy and kick board. I also bought a couple suits exactly the same style I used to wear 13 years ago. I figured I would worry about suit type and material when I had improved a bit but I am still wearing what I have, it's comfortable and it works for me.
My first day back in the water I had a goal of stayong in the water at least 15-20 minutes, evenif I had to take a lot of breaks. Turns out I swam for over an hour and went further than I could have imagined, but had I only done 15 minutes and been dead tired, I would have been ok with it. Take it slow and listen to your body, especially your shoulders. No matter what the reason to getting back into the water, the experience should certainly be enjoyable!
I went to a Karlyn Pipes 3 day swim clinic in August and have also been working to change my stroke. My shoulders have felt amazingly better since I have been working on it as they are not stressed like when I first got back into the water.
Welcome back!
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.
I got back into swimming summer 08 after 13 years away, so I know what your going through. I was fairly active, but I knew swimming was a different animal. I am using the same equipment I had 13 years ago, mainly pull bouy and kick board. I also bought a couple suits exactly the same style I used to wear 13 years ago. I figured I would worry about suit type and material when I had improved a bit but I am still wearing what I have, it's comfortable and it works for me.
My first day back in the water I had a goal of stayong in the water at least 15-20 minutes, evenif I had to take a lot of breaks. Turns out I swam for over an hour and went further than I could have imagined, but had I only done 15 minutes and been dead tired, I would have been ok with it. Take it slow and listen to your body, especially your shoulders. No matter what the reason to getting back into the water, the experience should certainly be enjoyable!
I went to a Karlyn Pipes 3 day swim clinic in August and have also been working to change my stroke. My shoulders have felt amazingly better since I have been working on it as they are not stressed like when I first got back into the water.
Welcome back!
