Getting back in the pool after at 15 year hiatus

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. First off...Welcome Back!! I've run across alot of these threads over the last year. I was in the same boat as you about 16 months ago! We are in the same age group (35-39), I'm 38. 1. The only equipment that I've added from what I've always used (what you listed) is a ankle strap (I used to use mini inner-tubes) and the freestyle snorkel. 2. I wear either just a Speedo Endurance Square Leg or a Speedo Endurance Brief with a big square leg drag suit over it. For competition I never tried a "tech suit" and they are now on the way out, so I'll be wearing a B70 Jammer most likely in 2010. 3. Won't lie here....its gonna take some time. Baby steps. I could BARELY hold my breathe to do a flip turn when I started.....during easy WARMUP!! There is a great "Workout" section on here with plenty of good workouts to fit most skill levels. 4. I had some inpingement issues with my shoulders over the past 5 or more years mostly when I got into lifting weights seriously (before I got back into swimming). I have found that the more swimming I do the better it has gotten. But thats just me. Just remember we are not 20 anymore, listen to what your body is telling you, and that while we may be competing its still about having fun! I used to be a distance/middle distance swimmer....in my new swimming life I'm finding that I'm doing much better in the sprints. Kinda nice!!! Although I do OW swimming in the summer/fall so that takes me back to distance. Point being, see where it takes you....pretty exciting stuff!!! Again, my biggest advice is "Baby steps".....set some short term goals (maybe weekly or monthly) to get you to some long term goals. Its the little victories I have each week in practice (and I train alone) that keep me coming back and staying excited. Best of luck!!! Lump

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. First off...Welcome Back!! I've run across alot of these threads over the last year. I was in the same boat as you about 16 months ago! We are in the same age group (35-39), I'm 38. 1. The only equipment that I've added from what I've always used (what you listed) is a ankle strap (I used to use mini inner-tubes) and the freestyle snorkel. 2. I wear either just a Speedo Endurance Square Leg or a Speedo Endurance Brief with a big square leg drag suit over it. For competition I never tried a "tech suit" and they are now on the way out, so I'll be wearing a B70 Jammer most likely in 2010. 3. Won't lie here....its gonna take some time. Baby steps. I could BARELY hold my breathe to do a flip turn when I started.....during easy WARMUP!! There is a great "Workout" section on here with plenty of good workouts to fit most skill levels. 4. I had some inpingement issues with my shoulders over the past 5 or more years mostly when I got into lifting weights seriously (before I got back into swimming). I have found that the more swimming I do the better it has gotten. But thats just me. Just remember we are not 20 anymore, listen to what your body is telling you, and that while we may be competing its still about having fun! I used to be a distance/middle distance swimmer....in my new swimming life I'm finding that I'm doing much better in the sprints. Kinda nice!!! Although I do OW swimming in the summer/fall so that takes me back to distance. Point being, see where it takes you....pretty exciting stuff!!! Again, my biggest advice is "Baby steps".....set some short term goals (maybe weekly or monthly) to get you to some long term goals. Its the little victories I have each week in practice (and I train alone) that keep me coming back and staying excited. Best of luck!!! Lump