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
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!
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!
