Has anyone started swimming competitively as an adult? I never pursued it as a kid despite enjoying it but have felt like beginning to train and taking it seriously. Obviously competing against others who've been doing it their entire lives leaves you at a disadvantage. Just wondering what other people's experiences are.
>>205102I used to swim on a team middle school through high school.I got back into swimming simply to burn calories and get in shape 4 years ago.I lost 30lbs using a diet app and have gotten my distance up to two miles, or 3520 yards.For a few years now I've gone to the pool 2-3 times a week and swam two miles each time.In high school we swam 4-5 miles five times a week.I would highly recommend taking up swimming.When I started swimming again I would get out of breath doing just 50 yards ( 1 lap ).Now I can swim a whole mile without stopping, I timed myself a year ago and did a mile in 24 minutes, I don't want to compete and I don't know fi that's any good.I listen to music in the pool with a waterproof mp3 player, it helps keep me motivated.I also use one of those centered snorkels, breathing in through the snorkel and out through my nose.Since I'm only doing it for exercise, I don't care about breathing technique. The breathing tube take a little getting used to but it's worth it.I treat my swimming like a workout routine, so I swim most of my stuff like isolated muscle groups.I swim pull mostly. (Front stroke arms with a pull Bouey between my legs and no kicking).Then I switch to kicking with a kickboard and flippers because I hate moving slow and I think flippers let me exert more force on the water so I get more resistance training.I also have paddles I use for my pull if I feel like I'm not getting much out of my work out some times.
