Getting back into it
dc_in_sf
San FranciscoCharter Member
So my last "real" swim was 4 years ago just before my twin daughters were born, and while that will hopefully pay dividends in the form of crew in a few more years 
, the last 4 years have not seen a lot of swimming.
Covid certainly didn't help with my local pool being closed down, but even pre-pandemic I was stuck in the mindset that a workout wasn't a workout unless it was 5000+ yards, and a mile was just a good warmup.
Well I am older now, and while not wiser, my local pool has re-opened and I have discovered the joy of getting wet for as long as I can sneak out of work, and my shoulders are telling me that you know, a mile is actually a decent work out so shut up and just get in the pool.
Not a lot of point to this post, but now that I am back in the water I find that I an inspired to be reading MSF again, and even if I am not doing long swims right now, I at least still have 27 years left to do a Dieter
http://notdrowningswimming.com - open water adventures of a very ordinary swimmer
Comments
Good to hear you are getting back into it. I have had periods of time where I've been out of the water. It happens. The good part is that you can get back in, start up and be swimming whenever the spirit moves you.
The pandemic has sure messed up a lot of people's swimming. It's great that summer is here and us warmer water folks can enjoy swimming outdoors all summer. I'm concerned what winter will bring. The pool was a disaster last year, and I stopped swimming.
I have been going to the lake with a swim friend. She is not a distance swimmer and is just getting her feet wet in an outdoor situation for the first time ever. We swim out to the rope of the swim area which is about 50 yards. Then, slight rest, and back to where she can stand up. Then I do a quick out and back and we repeat her swim. She mixes a little freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke. So I'm doing a quick hundred then a fartlek hundred. I doubt I'm even getting 1000 yards in for our workout. But I'm enjoying every minute of it. I get a couple longer swims in every now and then, but it's just a couple miles. Distance all the time isn't everything. Sometimes just going for a swim is really all you need.
This topic is a struggle for me right now. Right after my SAKW in 2018, I had a full knee replacement. It took me over nine months to get back in the water, and then I had an unfortunate personal situation that caused me to miss a big swim that I had planned and trained for and was excited about to "get me back into it." That took the wind out of my sails emotionally, and I didn't swim regularly for the next several months. Now, this past June 2nd, I had to have a full foot and ankle reconstruction (7 hour surgery) that had me out of the water for five months prior and three months since. My doctor still hasn't told me the full length of my recovery. I'm trying to find the will to get back after it, but I'm struggling. I love the sport, but have literally nobody to swim with me or motivate me, and I have gotten so out of shape from being forced into a sedentary existence . Hopefully I will snap out of it, quit being a baby, and find my drive again. I'm so glad to hear that you have found your drive again. That's awesome. All the best!
I’m right there with you, Mark. Lost my mojo about 2years ago. Memphis didn’t have good coaching or a solid team of peeps to practice with. I moved down to St Pete and have a great pool but can’t seem to get in with the local group. It’s disappointing. I’ll get back someday.
I just had my 11th back surgery, so I’m still stuck living vicariously through all of you.
I haven't swum properly for about 18 months and feel extremely unfit. The only way to get me motivated is to get a new goal that fills me with fear so much that it forces me (nicely !) to start doing some training. Two years ago we borrowed a campavan and drove to Italy so I could swim the Lago d'Orta 27k Marathon which I loved. Thoroughly recommended. I'm now thinking of Lake Zurich next year. Just got to get the mojo to sign up, get back in the pool and ...groan...start training (and start saving...!)
Fi, even if you're not sure about Zurich next year, apply anyway. Many people don't get a place the first time they apply, but if you don't get in this time, you probably will next time.
I am trying to get back to swimming after about18 months. The pools in my area were closed for a very long time due to covid, and when they opened up again, I found my life had changed so much I couldn't figure out how to make swimming fit. Tomorrow morning is going to be day 1 back in the water. I plan to start small and enjoy the journey. It can be frustrating to be starting over when I was in such good swimming shape a year and a half ago, but I have been focusing on other parts of my life (like raising a middle schooler...gulp!) It's nice to know there are lots of us in the same boat.
I'm so sorry for your loss in swimming and have to restart your training from scratch. Hope that you can get back in shape.
Really ?! How are the applications done - is it by ballot ?
No. When I did a relay in 2010, it was more or less luck, but when I swam it solo a few years later, the entry form asked if I had entered unsuccessfully, previously. They're much fairer now. @Webstem67 can give you up to date information.
Okay, so this thread made me get back in the water on Saturday. 3 miles at 1.8 mph. After 8 months out of the water, major surgery, and the physique of a manatee after 8 months of sedentary life....I'll take it. It also felt REALLY good to be back in. All the best!
Good for you. I had shoulder surgery last August. Next Monday, I'm getting back into the pool to start training myself. I don't even know if I can do it, but I'm going to try. Good luck to you!
ah, yes, getting back into it...
Milko
https://db.marathonswimmers.org/p/milko-van-gool/