Help!! I'm now officially a Master Swimmer...

Hi, Suzie! Check with the facility to see what programs they offer. Lots of places (gyms, YMCAs, even some municipal pools) have groups that can get you off on the right foot. Also, try asking the coach of your son's team if s/he knows of anyone offering classes or 1-on-1 training in your area. (There are some good trainers who offer classes at my gym, for example, and the local YMCA here has trainers.) If you've been out a long time, and especially if you've gained weight in the interim, having someone check your technique early on can make a big difference, b/c if you're working harder than you have to at your strokes, it's less fun and you tire out quicker. Thanks Sharpburger!! I just called the pool I will be swimming at and they have a coach T&TH nights, and they also have a workout that you can ask for during rec swimming times (which I will be mostly attending) ....now I really can't wait!!!

Welcome back to the pool! That's wonderful news! I agree with what others have said, but most of all, remember to have fun and enjoy being back in the water!

I did it!!! .....and I loved every minute!! This sounds sort of funny, but one of my fears was having really cold water!!! Well I slipped into the pool and it was perfect, I actually did 40 laps....but only about 14 of the laps were strokes, freestyle, breaststroke, & side stroke! The rest I used a kick board alternating flutter, front & back, and then the breaststroke kick. It felt so wonderful being in the water again, I can't wait to get back in....I'm going to try to swim 4x a week. I also had a wonderful surprise when I paid for my membership at the pool, there is a very strong Master Swimming program!! With lots of coaching, mostly during the day, but T&TH at night. I am very lucky!! JMKregor, I also swim at now at UK!! Thank you to everyone for their wonderful inspiration!!! I can truly see that my new "swimming family" is going to be very supportive, fun, and knowledgeable!!! Suzie:)

This sounds sort of funny, but one of my fears was having really cold water!!! Same here when I started back 4 months ago. Luckily, my gym keeps the pool warm. There's a local group, but they swim in an unheated pool. It's covered w/ a bubble during winter, but warm air just can't heat water, so I'm afraid I can't join them b/c I hate cold water and I know if I try to swim there I'll start dreading it. Glad to hear you're enjoying it!

I did it!!! .....and I loved every minute!! This sounds sort of funny, but one of my fears was having really cold water!!! Well I slipped into the pool and it was perfect, I actually did 40 laps....but only about 14 of the laps were strokes, freestyle, breaststroke, & side stroke! The rest I used a kick board alternating flutter, front & back, and then the breaststroke kick. It felt so wonderful being in the water again, I can't wait to get back in....I'm going to try to swim 4x a week. I also had a wonderful surprise when I paid for my membership at the pool, there is a very strong Master Swimming program!! With lots of coaching, mostly during the day, but T&TH at night. I am very lucky!! JMKregor, I also swim at now at UK!! Thank you to everyone for their wonderful inspiration!!! I can truly see that my new "swimming family" is going to be very supportive, fun, and knowledgeable!!! Suzie:) Congrats Suzie!! Doesn't it feel wonderful?? :) Remember to pace yourself as you get going, and I'd recommend keeping a log of your yardage. It will help you as an inspiration to keep going. And, later on, you'll be able to look back and see how far you've come!! I'm proud of you. You did very well for getting back into the water. You should be very pleased with yourself. Keep up your consistancy, knowing you'll have good days and great days~and remember that the rest of us are in the 'same boat' with you in swimming for life and loving the chance to do just that. Best of luck to you. Happy waters.... bridge

Congratulations! You got a lot of good advice here and with a coach and workouts at your pool you might not need my 2cents anymore but.... I love the "check it out anytime" convenience of books and I really really appreciated having "Janet Evans Total Swimming" by my side when I decided to get back into swimming in a bigger way. Excellent practical advice on strokes and training. Tons of workouts that go from 400yds up to 5000yds. I just loved this book! Check it out at the library... And enjoy!

Hi Suzie!!! I just wanted to pop in (a little late, but that's not unsual for me :blush: ) and say Congrats and I'm excited for you. I just started again and had my 1st practice after a few years hiatus. Let's just say that I quite swimming when my suit fit, and I RAN to the pool to hide in the water!!! But, isn't it amazing how great you feel. I was shocked how quickly the drowning feeling went away and how natural I felt in the water again. Congratulations again!!!