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How long does it take for you to get your swimming mojo back?

William JenksWilliam Jenks
in General Training Discussions

Unlike the last couple years, I actually stopped swimming over the winter, like the coaches tell us to.

My re-start of swimming was delayed a bit by the running of and recovery from Boston...so I am still struggling a bit. I started swimming before being fully recovered from the marathon (which I ran very hard), but I am still SEVERAL seconds per 100 slower than usual.  But I have been swimming for only a couple of weeks.

If I remember, the common wisdom is that it takes about 6 weeks of consistent swimming (3-4 times per week) to get back to pretty close to the "usual" paces for most of us after a long layoff.  Is that memory right?  Any other experiences out there? 

 

Comments

  • Mark RobertsMark Roberts

    I think it really depends on your level of swimming.  My wife swam as a kid, swim team, growing up etc.  Her form just doesnt' go away when she takes a significant layoff -- So while it does take some weeks to build fitness, but she starts from a high level.  It takes me about about 3-4 weeks to get my form back where my speed is good and then a few more to build fitness.

    The swim challenge thread from January and the data sheet may be useful looking at some numbers. Look for 1K bring the pain swim challenge (it won't let me cut/paste the link)

    I took 40 sec off my 1000 yd TT in 2 weeks, and then it took me another 4 weeks to get another 40 sec or so.

     

  • SwanieSwanie

    William- you and I have similar swim times, I started to swim during my taper for Boston so I have about 6 weeks in the pool now and I am right back where I expected to be, 13:15/1000 yds. In fact the other day I got a, "wow your a strong swimmer" comment.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    I'll see what I can find at that link. As it happens, I swam as a kid, but was pretty bad. As an adult, I'm mediocre. I'd like to get to 15:00 or close to it for my 1000 TT, but I would live with 15:30. Starting right out, still recovering, I was at 17:00. I know my form starts out poor, but I also have strength/fitness issues.

    It sounds like you are quoting times that aren't too different than the 6 weeks I cited.
  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    WJ-- it takes me about ~3-4 weeks. I was NOT a swimmer as a kid, but was at least competent in the water (as a pool lifeguard). I swim with a Total Immersion form now, and I have overly large upper body muscles from my many years as a wrestler so I think that helps from a fitness standpoint. I'm also not quite as fast as you are, but pretty close (1:10+/- IM swim time). One caveat is that I don't think I have ever swam more than 2 times in any single week in the last 3 years. And I don't do ANY swimming from September to March each yr (this yr my first swim was April 13th). I actually do about 50% of my whole yr's worth of swims in the last 6 weeks before my Ironman (not kidding...).


    So I think each person is different, but I'd be very surprised if your swim times aren't almost exactly the same as last yr within a couple more weeks from where you are now.
  • Jonathan BrownJonathan Brown
    It took me about 5 weeks to get the swim mojo back. For me was not about the time/speed but more about distance. My arms would just get tired and i could not keep going for the final 500 or 600. Then one day, something stuck and i was fine with any and all workouts.
  • SwanieSwanie
    William- had my 1st swim RR this morning and completed it in 1:11:58, 6 weeks after returning to the pool after a 8 month layoff. So to answer your question....6 weeks.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    It is time for Hough's theorem which is basically that the time it takes to come back from a lay-off is proportional to your age. The older you are the greater the cost to a break in consistent training. I took 10 weeks off this winter due to shoulder issues and it took a full 10 weeks to get it back ... compare that to Steve's experience.
  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    4-6 weeks and I'm back to typical swim mojo.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Posted By Paul Hough on 15 May 2014 04:14 PM


    It is time for Hough's theorem which is basically that the time it takes to come back from a lay-off is proportional to your age. The older you are the greater the cost to a break in consistent training. I took 10 weeks off this winter due to shoulder issues and it took a full 10 weeks to get it back ... compare that to Steve's experience.

    I agree. And at some point, you stop returning to the previous level, and never make it back to where you were. For me, that was age 62 or so. 

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Thanks for the replies.

    I certainly recognize a slowing response even at my relatively sprightly age (49) compared to even 5 years ago.

    For the record, I had my first 10 x 100 (10-15") set yesterday with a single rep under 1:30. In shape, it's a good day when I can get 8 or more of them under 1:30. So the form is coming back, but the strength/endurance is surely still a work in progress. I'm not as fast as a couple of people above think. :-)
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I've struggled this year to get my swim back to where it was last year, but now, magically, 6 weeks in, it's all starting to come together and I did a 16x100 at only about 1"/100 slower than last year at this time when I had been swimming for longer.
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