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
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 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.
