Getting back in the pool after at 15 year hiatus

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've been back in the pool now for about 7 weeks. 4x per week. I usually go about 3000-3300 yds 3x per week (team workout) and then 1x per wk just working on technique (1200 yds). Total- 10500-11000 yds. I'm getting faster and have been pleasantly surprised by just how quick things are coming back. I've done a ton of technique work Congratulations on your progress! :applaud: I hope you kick some butt at your upcoming meet and most importantly, have fun doing it!

Thanks for all the advice! I've been back in the pool now for about 7 weeks. 4x per week. I usually go about 3000-3300 yds 3x per week (team workout) and then 1x per wk just working on technique (1200 yds). Total- 10500-11000 yds. I'm getting faster and have been pleasantly surprised by just how quick things are coming back. I've done a ton of technique work Here's the wierd thing- I'm 5'11" and weigh 192 lbs. This is UP four pounds from when I started. My wife insists its all redistribution of fat to muscle My arms, back and shoulders are much bigger now with less "gut." I'm going to sign up for the next local meet and see how I stand in the 50 fr and 100 fr. We'll see- my goal is to break 27 seconds in the 50. If I manage that I'll start to believe I could see 23 again. I'm mostly worried about my start. Years ago I could jump (28 inch vertical) which was great off the blocks now I am pretty much ground bound...

It sees like 15 years it the natural progression. I was out for 15 years as well. I quit in high school though. It has been fun getting back into it and sticking with it. Fortunately for me, I don't remember all of my times, so slower times do not haunt me as much. Welcome back!

I'm in the same boat here. I can tell you that it feels great to get in the habit of swimming every day again, but it might be best to not look at the clock for a while. I feel like I have made huge progress in 6 weeks, but I am still slower than dirt. (How slow? I did a 100 free from a push the other day in 1:04.) As for getting a sense of how fast people are at 35, well, there are people here in Michigan who are as fast as they were in high school. Hi Jeff, have we met? do you swim in the morning or evenings? I started swimming again after 11 years. I started a couple of weeks before the christmas holidays.