At the beginning of the summer I decided to get back in the pool after a year or so off. I do not compete anymore but swam competitively all through childhood, high school, and college. I also played water polo for about 6 years. It is sufficent to say I have a good base and a year is the most time I have ever taken off from swimming (oohh how I regret it). I also turned 30 and the metabolism is no longer what is once was sadly.
So, a big part of me wants to be at least a little closer to my old workout interval times. Like I would love to stop doing 1:40 100's on a 1:45 interval when I used to do 1:15s with NO problem. Another big (not too big mind you) part of me would like to lose some weight. I started the summer with 2000 yards in 45 minutes and around mid July stepped my workouts up to 3000 yards in about an hour, this is 4-5 days a week. I try to push myself on two sets in the workout and then just try to get through the other stuff without becoming too bored, keeping a good pace though. My clothes fit better but the scale hasn't really budged but maybe two pounds since I began this in June. Is my body too used to swimming?? I always thought when people said that it was crap but now I am confused. I also get tired sooner in the pool, like my arms are semi sore by the time I am done with 1000 yards and I have to breathe on almost every stroke (usually I can start off breathing every four, I do not alternate-never have- I choke when I do, but then begin wanting more air).
I would like to begin incorporating weights into my workout and perhaps even cross training a little. What do y'all recommend? What should I be focusing on with weights and how often? Should I lift the same day I swim? And...any advice on if I am doing the right thing to get a tad faster?
Any help would be great! Thanks. I'll stop writing now :agree:.:blah:
yeah, i get a lot of that. "i USED to be able to do la la la when I was younger." "When I was in college I blah blah blah." "My high school times were ..."
Well, we're not there anymore so no use living in the past and comparing what you did then with what you have now. I've found many athletes have a real problem with getting older and slowing down, especially the ones who were ultra-competitve.
However, the good news is that with consistent training, you can drop from a 1:40, I'm sure. Just stick with proper interval training and have fun rather than focus on how you're not what you used to be.
Weights will build strength but my guess is that you should probably focus on regaining cardiovascular endurance rather than building strength.
And just remember, June was not all that long ago so give yourself another several weeks before expecting any changes in body composition or big drops in swim times. You have the rest of your life to enjoy.
And just remember, June was not all that long ago so give yourself another several weeks before expecting any changes in body composition or big drops in swim times. You have the rest of your life to enjoy.
And also don't forget that you shouldn't rush it. Better to take a few more weeks to see results than to spend them nursing sore shoulders or pulled calf muscles.
Skip Montanaro
If you keep practicing and working on doing faster intervals, you will get faster. Especially with your background and only being 30!
1:45 intervals is a great starting point. Try doing 5X100 on the 1:40, even if you only get a few seconds rest and feel like you are sprinting. It's only 5, so it will go by fast.
Maybe you haven't seen your weight go down much because you are building muscle, which is dense and heavier than fat. So you probably are slimming down and toning up even though the numbers on the scale aren't changing much.
Good luck!
Thanks for all your advice. I guess I am being too hard on myself, I think I am used to seeing instant results with swimming and since I am not getting them I feel like something is wrong.
You don't mention your location, but by all means find a Masters club and join them. There's no reason you can't get back to 1:15 (SCY??) in 4-6 months -
Just keep swimming and the results you're looking for will come. Probably best now to rebuild your endurance base with interval training mixed in. If you're averaging 3000 yards a workout you've already come a long way. As others have said take it slowly, but keep challenging yourself along the way! Check out the workouts listed in this section of the forums, they are all good stuff and you can modify them to fit where you are in your progression. Welcome back to the pool!:woot:
I am in Mt. Home Idaho. Most people here think swimming is something you do three months out of the year to get a tan, there is no masters program. I am hoping the base will begin one, swimming is a lonely pass time here.
I am hoping the base will begin one, swimming is a lonely pass time here.
There's a call to action if I ever saw one. It's in your hands. I run Pearl Harbor Masters here in Hawaii. I started, and continue to manage, the program with our local MWR. Even the Air Force has an MWR. Contact your Aquatic director and offer 'after work' stroke classes for other's who don't feel good enought to train seriously - these are your future swimmers to keep you company. Meanwhile, for yourself, chose a workout coach from this site, and start swimming the whole workout, every time, at least 3 times a week. Kevin Williams offers a good template, and posts for various interval swimmers. This is handy b/c the intervals work for any course (meters or yards). Just pick yours (I'd guess the 1:50 interval). Think in terms of 5 week cycles - 5 weeks at 3d/week - then you should have adapted to move to the next faster workout interval. Cross train - run or lift on the side for strength - or even better, take an aerobics class. If you teach, coach, cross-train and swim you won't be around any temptation that would result in not losing weight. This should get you going and keep you busy until you can trasfer to Hickam here in Hawaii and join our group.
I am in Mt. Home Idaho. Most people here think swimming is something you do three months out of the year to get a tan, there is no masters program. I am hoping the base will begin one, swimming is a lonely pass time here.
There is a masters group in Boise if you ever get over there. It's only 40 mi from you. I am in Elko NV, south of you and I swim with the Boise group when I'm there on weekends. The rest of the time, like you, I swim alone.
