Help!! I just signed up and now officially a Master Swimmer....Now What??? I really don't know where to start......
I used to swim in High School....a long time ago. I now take my son to swimming and stay and usually read a book when I noticed "older swimmers"......so now instead of reading I want to swim!!
I'll be swimming during open swim (so no coach avail), I'm about 100 pounds overweight......Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do...how I start this??? :confused: I want to start tomorrow, Monday, Jan 4.
Thank you so much!!! :)
Suzie
Hi Suzie,
I started swimming again 14 months ago with a story almost like yours -- used to swim in HS (an unmentionably long time ago), and 50 lbs overweight. I agree with Jeff above to set goals, modest ones, and to be patient.
What worked for me, specifically, at the outset, was the following: First I found how far I was able to swim continuously without collapsing from exhaustion (200 yd). My whole workout then consisted of 5 times 200 yd, with ample rest between (probably two minutes rest). That was enough, so then I got out of the water. I didn't time anything. I did that about 5 times a week and also some aerobics classes.
I thought a stretch goal would be to swim a continuous 1650 within 6 months. Thankfully it took less than three months, though initially I had to swim about half of it backstroke. Then I was able to set new goals.
Fast forward to the end of the year: I've lost 50 pounds and swam an 800 SCM free, among other events, in competition, with results that make me quite happy. So I would say, set modest goals, be patient and persistent, and keep your eye on the long term.
Hi Suzie,
I started swimming again 14 months ago with a story almost like yours -- used to swim in HS (an unmentionably long time ago), and 50 lbs overweight. I agree with Jeff above to set goals, modest ones, and to be patient.
What worked for me, specifically, at the outset, was the following: First I found how far I was able to swim continuously without collapsing from exhaustion (200 yd). My whole workout then consisted of 5 times 200 yd, with ample rest between (probably two minutes rest). That was enough, so then I got out of the water. I didn't time anything. I did that about 5 times a week and also some aerobics classes.
I thought a stretch goal would be to swim a continuous 1650 within 6 months. Thankfully it took less than three months, though initially I had to swim about half of it backstroke. Then I was able to set new goals.
Fast forward to the end of the year: I've lost 50 pounds and swam an 800 SCM free, among other events, in competition, with results that make me quite happy. So I would say, set modest goals, be patient and persistent, and keep your eye on the long term.
