Hi all,
I'm new here, and I've searched around the forums but haven't really found any other discussions similar to my situation. I hope you're willing to indulge a true (re)beginner. I'd appreciate if people are gentle with their redirects to other threads and please don't flame me. I may be explaining in over-detail, but I don't know what's important.
I'm 34, F, many pounds overweight. I swam summers and HS as a kid and have inconsistently swum in recent years for fitness. I am clearly out of shape, but this year kicked myself off with wii fit (things like short stints of running, push-ups) and free weights, and my CV health has improved dramatically.
This summer, I tried SCY on a whim (instead of the usual LCM I've tried occasionally in the past few years) and something just clicked. For years I struggled with short distances, rarely improving, but I decided to try to work myself up to distance (the 0-1650 plan). The very first day I swam a mile. This was a huge surprise to me.
I completely remembered why I loved swimming and started to think about how to plan some goals. OW suggested itself, I tried it and loved it. I swam my first open water mile last week with a friend following in a kayak, but with my poor sighting skills had to switch to *** most of the way back while against the current. I swam it in 51 min (very slow I know).
I'd like to try an open water mile race by the end of the summer. Here's what I have for times: 1:49 free/:52 split; my mile interval practice, mostly of 100ys :15 rest today took 42 min. I have no idea how any of this corresponds to distance, and I am trying to avoid too many "distance days" as I understand the intervals will build speed. I'm working on breathing on both sides and sighting.
I've been thinking about working out with the local Masters, but feel shy for a few reasons. I am just now working up a good free. I have always been terrible at back. I have not yet gotten the courage to try fly again, but am doing drills on the whole body dolphin. I love *** (always have) but feel like it's the "dummy" stroke, esp. in OW swimming. As I mentioned above, I'm overweight and out of shape (but believe me, better than 6 months ago).
Could anyone tell me what I might expect at Masters in a college town at an uncoached practice? Should I work on my own for a bit to get better so I won't screw anyone else up? What does everyone suggest for my mile OW goal? Also, is it normal for my shoulders to hurt after a lot of free? This didn't happen when I was a kid.:blush: Thanks for your help.
Parents
Former Member
Hi Jen, WELCOME BACK!
No, in masters, trying to come back and work back up to competing shape, you won't mess anyone up. Most often there are a lot more coming back, and fitness swimmers, and those who are trying to stay ahead of health problems, but because of ongoing ones will never be able to get into top racing shape.
In most clubs, there is room for everyone!!!
On occasion there are clubs that specialize little more in one thing then another, but in most, there is room for everyone.
I'm not familiar with your particular area, so I can't reccomend a specific easy going place, bit I think most clubs offer a free workout or two, so I would very much encourage you to call or email them, have a chat with the coach.
Masters swimming is much more laid back and less competetive then college swimming. You don't have to be at a certain level before you join in. Lot of people are little intimidated at first, but once they poke their head in, that changes fast.
Actually, often there are people who never swam before too, so you may find yourself not quite as far behind as you think ;)
One thing that becomes a bit more of a concern compared to college days is, we need to become more aware of overtraining. Our bodies in our 30's and 40's and later don't recover as fast as they did in teens and 20's.
In a club, with a good coach, you're likely to progress faster, and it's more fun, you meet some cool people and make new friends, and get a lot of encouragement, it really helps the motivation.
Welcome Back!!!
Hi Jen, WELCOME BACK!
No, in masters, trying to come back and work back up to competing shape, you won't mess anyone up. Most often there are a lot more coming back, and fitness swimmers, and those who are trying to stay ahead of health problems, but because of ongoing ones will never be able to get into top racing shape.
In most clubs, there is room for everyone!!!
On occasion there are clubs that specialize little more in one thing then another, but in most, there is room for everyone.
I'm not familiar with your particular area, so I can't reccomend a specific easy going place, bit I think most clubs offer a free workout or two, so I would very much encourage you to call or email them, have a chat with the coach.
Masters swimming is much more laid back and less competetive then college swimming. You don't have to be at a certain level before you join in. Lot of people are little intimidated at first, but once they poke their head in, that changes fast.
Actually, often there are people who never swam before too, so you may find yourself not quite as far behind as you think ;)
One thing that becomes a bit more of a concern compared to college days is, we need to become more aware of overtraining. Our bodies in our 30's and 40's and later don't recover as fast as they did in teens and 20's.
In a club, with a good coach, you're likely to progress faster, and it's more fun, you meet some cool people and make new friends, and get a lot of encouragement, it really helps the motivation.
Welcome Back!!!
