I miss dancing, hiking, and running. In each, there was always an inherent challenge, and my current routine lacks that push to better myself. So... I decided to create my own challenge.
I learned how to swim last month because swimming doesn't hurt nearly so bad as most activities (there is, unfortunately, some pain associated with it). I suck, though. My cardiovascular health is shot after ten months of very little activity, and swimming is a new exercise entirely, requiring that I develop different muscle groups. I wanted to create a challenge that would gradually get me to swimming competence. Inspired by C25K, I made the following. I may have to adjust it if the increments are unrealistic, but it looks doable. I did stage 1 for the first time this morning, and it made my half hour of swimming super fun since I had a goal to meet.
Here it is for any other people for whom swimming really is the only cardio option out there. Let me know what you think!
Kickboard to 30 Laps (K2-30L?)
STAGE 1
Warm up: two laps with kickboard
Freestyle two laps
Kickboard two laps
Breast stroke two laps
Backstroke two laps
Repeat until you have been swimming for 30 minutes. Stay at stage 1 until you can do the entire workout without stopping between (or during!) laps.
STAGE 2
Warm up: two laps with kickboard
Freestyle three laps
Kickboard three laps
Breast stroke two laps
Backstroke two laps
Repeat until you have been swimming for 30 minutes. Stay at stage 2 until you can do the entire workout without stopping between (or during!) laps.
STAGE THREE
Warm up: two laps with kickboard
Freestyle three laps
Kickboard two laps
Breast stroke three laps
Backstroke two laps
Repeat until you have been swimming for 30 minutes. Stay at stage 3 until you can do the entire workout without stopping between (or during!) laps.
STAGE FOUR
Warm up: two laps with kickboard
Freestyle four laps
Kickboard two laps
Breast stroke four laps
Backstroke two laps
Repeat until you have been swimming for 30 minutes. Stay at stage 4 until you can do the entire workout without stopping between (or during!) laps.
STAGE 5
Warm up: two laps with kickboard
Freestyle four laps
Kickboard two laps
Breast stroke four laps
Backstroke two laps
Butterfly two laps
Backstroke two laps
Repeat until you have been swimming for 30 minutes. Stay at stage 5 until you can do the entire workout without stopping between (or during!) laps.
STAGE 6
Warm up: two laps with kickboard
Freestyle two laps
Breast stroke two laps
Backstroke two laps
Butterfly two laps
Kickboard two laps
Repeat until you have been swimming for 30 minutes or 30 laps. Stay at stage 6 until you can do the entire workout without stopping between (or during!) laps.
STAGE 7
IMs!
1lap each:
Freestyle
Breastroke
Backstroke
Butterfly
Repeat until you have been swimming for 30 minutes or 30 laps. Stay at stage 7 until you can do the entire workout without stopping between (or during!) laps.
STAGE 8 AND BEYOND
Work on speed, endurance, and form.
