| Have you taken a break from swimming? | | | | day, get in the water as much as possible rather than |
| Do you feel out of shape and feel the need to get | | | | doing fewer workouts and staying in longer. In other |
| back in shape quickly? Here are some tips to help you | | | | words, it would be better to swim 4 days a week, 30 |
| get back to feeling the best you can in the water: | | | | minutes each time than to swim 2 days at 1 hour per |
| 1. Don't try to do too much too soon. Start out with | | | | session. |
| long, slow swims. If you can't do long swims, start with | | | | 5. Count strokes. This will keep you focused on |
| short, slow swims and little by little build up your | | | | extension and ultimately technique. See if you can |
| endurance. | | | | lower your average stroke count. |
| 2. Don't jump in the "fast lane". If you are doing | | | | 6. Set goals. If you are only capable of finishing 200 |
| masters, don't be tempted to "pick up where you left | | | | meters without stopping, don't try to jump to 1000 |
| off." Swallow your pride and start out a lane or two | | | | meters. Try a new, smaller goal each week. 300 |
| slower than when you last worked out. | | | | meters would be reasonable, then 400, then 600, etc. |
| 3. Don't use fins for speed. Fins are great for technique | | | | Keep these tips in mind and never forget that in |
| work and drills, but the worst thing you can do is to | | | | swimming, patience + practice = performing at your |
| throw on a pair of fins to "keep up." | | | | best! |
| 4. Swim often. Even if you only have 20-30 minutes a | | | | |