Vaccines are coming. Next Fall/Winter (2021/2022) might be normal. There is a light at the end of this tunnel.
So let's look forward, shall we?
I once thought that I'd do sub 6min 400m by the end of 2019. **** happened.
Then I thought I'd do sub 6min 400m by the end of 2020. Other **** happened.
Now I think.....well.....see my sig.
How about you?
(Edit: Wow! Auto-correct of a naughty word for excrement!)
My only remaining goal is to swim the channel because my booked slot can't be postponed. This winter is probably my last chance in my life to get some serious training in (because I'm going to emigrate next April - it's very unlikely I can keep training in my target country if I have a full time job) but now nothing can be done because of COVID interruption. I'll not book anything afterwards before my channel swim because I'll need to decide if I'm going to quit swimming afterwards.
I realize as I read all of these replies that I am very lucky that I have been swimming regularly since late June in a military pool.
My signature lists 7 distances/PRs. I love this septet concept. For me, trying to swim certain times for this entire spectrum is precisely the point. I think I would be bored as “a sprinter” or “a long distance swimmer”.
I have a crazy schedule that I know that no swimmer/coach in the world will agree is intelligent!! I try to swim a minimum of 4x a week:
M-WU+50m+CD.
T-WU+200m+CD.
W-WU+800m+CD.
T-WU+25m+CD.
F-WU+100m+CD.
S-WU+400m+CD.
S-WU+1600m+CD.
The WUs and CDs can contain any number of drills and things, of course.
In 2021, I hope to be able to up my game and swim 5-6x most weeks.
And, if I do that, I hope that by the end of the year I can swim “the 59% level” for as much of the septet as possible. (ie Each WR x 0.59). That yields:
25m-16.1
50m-34.2
100m-1:16.2
200m-2:48.4
400m-5:59
800m-12:31
1600m-25:33
We’ll see what happens. 59% at age 59? 60% at age 60???
I think I would be bored as �a sprinter� or �a long distance swimmer�.
That's why I'm an IMer - I like to race everything. One of my most proud accomplishments as a Masters swimmer thus far was getting in the 2019 SCY top ten in at least one event in every stroke + IM.
I'm with regular/consistent swim time. I joined the Y but haven't navigated their reservation system yet, and I'm not sure if they're being scaled back in the state's restrictions this week. Bit too cold for me to swim outside now, even wetsuited - that'll have to wait til spring.
Aside from that, I'd like to swim a 5k. I'd like to travel out if state somewhere for a race - I was going to go to DC for a race but it didn't happen. I'd like there to *be* races at all, but let's say there are.
Way out there goal that would take a ton of practice: swim one of the Alcatraz swims.
Be able to work out more than an average of 3 times per month. The ocean is looking pretty good, but is kind of chilly and takes an hour to get there.
I had to resort to open water swimming. Are there any rivers or lakes or quarries closer than the ocean? I drive a half hour each way multiple times per day for my kids practice, so an hour doesn't seem too, too bad outside of other obligations.
That said, XTerra wetsuits are on sale right now. They are often, but they are like 70% off. Their top of the line full one is about $250. One step down is $160, the entry is $130. I got the mid one in a full suit, but have a top of the line sleeveless.
Overall, I've enjoyed it. I have to admit, my pool swimming suffered greatly, but my stamina improved. I'm a full minute faster on my mile now than I was before COVID, though my strokes are beyond horrible.
Usually I go to the "swim happy" thread with such news, but this seems like a more logical place:
My new 50m PR is 35.0sec. I have nearly 12 more months to figure out how to be about a body length faster. :)
