Hi all. I am new to masters swimming as I have quite literally been out of the water for 32 years. I joined our local group 2 weeks ago and I have a meet this sunday. I very ambitiously have entered the 50 back and the 100 IM. Yesterday I learned how to start off the block with goggles on; when I swam in 1969-1974, no one wore goggles or caps.
I am trying to swim a minimum of 3 days a week (2 with the master group and 1 or 2 on my own with swimplan.com workouts).
And, I am completely exhausted. I can barely lift my arms. It makes me feel like I've made a huge mistake. I realize that it's only been a month, but I am tired. I did try masters rowing this summer (wicked fun till you flip the boat) but didn't really give me any extra arm strength. What can I do on land that would help. The only weight class I can take is at the same time as the swimming in different gym/different town. I do have hand weights up to 8 lbs.
I'm in agreement with what is being said about taking it easy at the start. I only had a 20yr layoff and my first swim workout I managed 400yds and got out. I also did a swim meet after only "preparing" for 2 weeks. I survived the meet and it was a lot of fun. For me the main thing was going through the motions to remind myself what it felt like to race again, and also to get some base times to work from. If you go out nice and easy, then you're sure to make improvement in the meets afterwards. As an aside, if your goggles come off, just pull them down to your neck and keep swimming. That happens even to some of us who have only known racing with goggles :D
I'm in agreement with what is being said about taking it easy at the start. I only had a 20yr layoff and my first swim workout I managed 400yds and got out. I also did a swim meet after only "preparing" for 2 weeks. I survived the meet and it was a lot of fun. For me the main thing was going through the motions to remind myself what it felt like to race again, and also to get some base times to work from. If you go out nice and easy, then you're sure to make improvement in the meets afterwards. As an aside, if your goggles come off, just pull them down to your neck and keep swimming. That happens even to some of us who have only known racing with goggles :D
