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
Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to keep my expectations low for "re-entry." As far as the shoulder thing goes- I'll have to see how they fare. Based on what I'm reading some technique work will definitely be in order.
First practice is Tuesday so I think I'll try to ease in a little this week. The 11K days are DEFINITELY over- probably will try a nice easy 1K and see how it goes.
The kids are VERY excited to see Daddy get back in the pool. My daughter is joining her first swim team soon so I am sure she's going to want to "race." I think she might have some talent for it- she has a real affinity for the water and a monster flutter kick (unlike daddy who barely kicks enough to stay afloat).
I came back last January after a 20 year hiatus. It was a long haul, but I am back to feeling like I am a "swimmer" again. The hardest thing for me now is accepting that I will never do a personal best time again. I just cannot be what I was when I was 19 anymore.
My recommendation to you is to just focus on building nice, easy, mixed yards for a while. Focus on building your pace, but not on going fast. Give yourself 2 good months of this before attempting any hard interval sets. Then you can gradually start watching the clock. It will be 6-8 months before you can hit interval times that are remotely reminiscent of your glory days.
If you get to that point, and last through the rebuilding year, you will feel great. I can't swim like I did 20 years ago, but I feel just as young now.
Good luck.
Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to keep my expectations low for "re-entry." As far as the shoulder thing goes- I'll have to see how they fare. Based on what I'm reading some technique work will definitely be in order.
First practice is Tuesday so I think I'll try to ease in a little this week. The 11K days are DEFINITELY over- probably will try a nice easy 1K and see how it goes.
The kids are VERY excited to see Daddy get back in the pool. My daughter is joining her first swim team soon so I am sure she's going to want to "race." I think she might have some talent for it- she has a real affinity for the water and a monster flutter kick (unlike daddy who barely kicks enough to stay afloat).
I came back last January after a 20 year hiatus. It was a long haul, but I am back to feeling like I am a "swimmer" again. The hardest thing for me now is accepting that I will never do a personal best time again. I just cannot be what I was when I was 19 anymore.
My recommendation to you is to just focus on building nice, easy, mixed yards for a while. Focus on building your pace, but not on going fast. Give yourself 2 good months of this before attempting any hard interval sets. Then you can gradually start watching the clock. It will be 6-8 months before you can hit interval times that are remotely reminiscent of your glory days.
If you get to that point, and last through the rebuilding year, you will feel great. I can't swim like I did 20 years ago, but I feel just as young now.
Good luck.
