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:
Parents
Former Member
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.
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.
