Masters Swimming Championships
Discussion
I've been swimming for about 18 months. I started as I was doing Triathlons as a way to lose weight.
I've started to get a bit fed up with Tris though. I constantly get injuries and niggles running and the whole rigmarole of getting the bike ready and trying to not get killed by all the twunts I have to share the roads with his grinding me down.
Anyway I still really enjoy swimming and am getting quite good at that. I'm currently knocking a 400m freestyle out in about 6:15 even though my training has been sporadic over the last year, including 6 weeks off with a shoulder injury.
I was looking at masters swimming contests and I see that the European Championships is in London in 2016 and other than a modest qualifying criteria its basically open to anyone. Looking at some results of other meets it looks like I would need to be circa 60 secs on 100m and around the 4:30 mark for 400m to be in the mix. I don't want to turn up and come last, if I am going to do it I want to make the best effort and be FOP/MOP
Do you think it is achievable to be at that level in 2 years from where I am now? Currently I am doing 3-4 sessions per week covering 2.3-2.7 km per session, plus 2-3 dry land sessions. If I drop the other training I can up the swim sessions to at least 5, maybe 6.
Anyone else competing in masters events? My coach has a club which I cam going to go to although I think its more focused on triathletes than club swimming but I am sure I can find some others interested there who might compete.
Any other tips?
I've started to get a bit fed up with Tris though. I constantly get injuries and niggles running and the whole rigmarole of getting the bike ready and trying to not get killed by all the twunts I have to share the roads with his grinding me down.
Anyway I still really enjoy swimming and am getting quite good at that. I'm currently knocking a 400m freestyle out in about 6:15 even though my training has been sporadic over the last year, including 6 weeks off with a shoulder injury.
I was looking at masters swimming contests and I see that the European Championships is in London in 2016 and other than a modest qualifying criteria its basically open to anyone. Looking at some results of other meets it looks like I would need to be circa 60 secs on 100m and around the 4:30 mark for 400m to be in the mix. I don't want to turn up and come last, if I am going to do it I want to make the best effort and be FOP/MOP
Do you think it is achievable to be at that level in 2 years from where I am now? Currently I am doing 3-4 sessions per week covering 2.3-2.7 km per session, plus 2-3 dry land sessions. If I drop the other training I can up the swim sessions to at least 5, maybe 6.
Anyone else competing in masters events? My coach has a club which I cam going to go to although I think its more focused on triathletes than club swimming but I am sure I can find some others interested there who might compete.
Any other tips?
Hello. Thanks for the response, answer to your questions below.
I'm based in Milton Keynes. I've had coaching with a great chap who does triathlon coaching and used to compete internationally in swimming. He has a swim squad which I am going to join but its not really a masters club as its more for Triathletes.
Highway Star said:
How old are you?
34Highway Star said:
Have you swam competitively for clubs in the past, even as a child?
Nope, literally only took it up last year. Couldn't swim two lengths when I started. Highway Star said:
How are your strokes other than freestyle?
Not great. Backstroke is ok and breast stroke passable. Butterfly - forget it. I've only really focused on free. Interesting in improving the the other strokes, particularly back as that's probably my next best stroke.I'm based in Milton Keynes. I've had coaching with a great chap who does triathlon coaching and used to compete internationally in swimming. He has a swim squad which I am going to join but its not really a masters club as its more for Triathletes.
Thanks for the detailed response, really appreciate it.
I didn't realise the races were organised by time instead of age group. That kind of changes everything really. I was thinking I need to drop to 4:30 to be competing in my age group but as that is not the case then I don't really need to worry where I'm at.
I have regular 1-2-1 sessions with the coach and he does stroke analysis and builds in a lot of drills etc to work on my technique. I think alot of the gains I have made over the last 18 months are down to improving technique. Joining the club will give me more regular advice.
I only ever wear a wetsuit when swimming open water. I haven't bothered with tumble turns as yet, partly because I was doing OW/Tri races but also I had set myself a target of dropping below 6 min by the end of the year and didn't want to "cheat" by taking seconds off from turns. Need to learn how to dive as well.
I think I have some natural affinity for swimming. I'm 6'5'' with 6'8'' arm span and have good upper body strength.
Will up the training and see how I get on will try some clubs and events. Be interesting to get some coach advice on what event to go for. Would I be better at sprinting or the distance events. I like the 400 free because it is a good mix of speed and endurance.
I didn't realise the races were organised by time instead of age group. That kind of changes everything really. I was thinking I need to drop to 4:30 to be competing in my age group but as that is not the case then I don't really need to worry where I'm at.
I have regular 1-2-1 sessions with the coach and he does stroke analysis and builds in a lot of drills etc to work on my technique. I think alot of the gains I have made over the last 18 months are down to improving technique. Joining the club will give me more regular advice.
I only ever wear a wetsuit when swimming open water. I haven't bothered with tumble turns as yet, partly because I was doing OW/Tri races but also I had set myself a target of dropping below 6 min by the end of the year and didn't want to "cheat" by taking seconds off from turns. Need to learn how to dive as well.
I think I have some natural affinity for swimming. I'm 6'5'' with 6'8'' arm span and have good upper body strength.
Will up the training and see how I get on will try some clubs and events. Be interesting to get some coach advice on what event to go for. Would I be better at sprinting or the distance events. I like the 400 free because it is a good mix of speed and endurance.
Had my first squad session this week. Was tough but I enjoyed it. Some really fast swimmers there and hopefully soon I'll be in the fastest Lane trying to keep up.
Or coach who swam competitively in his youth and who is younger than me only clocks a 4:36 400m so you were so right that if will be a struggle for me to reach that. Hoping for a sub 6 by the end of the year and go from there.
Or coach who swam competitively in his youth and who is younger than me only clocks a 4:36 400m so you were so right that if will be a struggle for me to reach that. Hoping for a sub 6 by the end of the year and go from there.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff