Setting New Postpartum Baseline Goals by Anne Greenawalt
Last spring, when I wrote about my swimming progress and goals, it felt like I had stagnated in athletic progress, but I realized I was making progress: it was just slow. I set some reasonable goals, and I had every intention of meeting them or at least working towards them, but last summer my life took a very different turn (which is a story for another day).
But I'm re-evaluating my life plans and I'm steering myself towards living a life I love. And part of that includes competitive swimming.
I just competing in my first U.S. Master's swim meet in 5 years. (I’m not counting the time I swam the 200-meter fly when I was 12 weeks pregnant with my second baby. That was at a meet, but I don't count it because I wasn't really "racing" or competing." I was just trying to finish it.) As soon as I made the decision to sign up for the meet, something in my brain and body clicked during my workouts. I told myself, "You can and will swim fast again." And then you know what? I started swimming ever so slightly faster.
It didn't matter that I wasn't in race-shape for the meet because it was just so much fun to be there with friends and other swimmers and to go all out to see what would happen. I set some new baselines in the 100, 200, and 500 yard free, so now I know where I am, and I will make new goals from there.
2023 Swimming Goals Evaluation
Here's my evaluation of the goals I set for myself last year:
SPEED: At least once per month in Q3 (July – September), complete this set to work on speed: 10x50 @ :50 fast.
That did not happen once per month, but this is a solid goal that I will recycle.
STAMINA: At least once per month in Q3 (July – September), complete a 4,000-yard workout.
Last month, I completed my first 4,000-yard workout since the week before my son was born (4 years ago). I will recycle this goal, too.
STRENGTH: Increase muscle mass by three pounds by then end of September. Achieve this by doing yoga or lifting weights at least one time per week.
I have been doing yoga or strength training at least once per week since 2024 started. And I've increased my muscle mass by 4 lbs since July 2023.
NUTRITION: Track my intake at least four times per week every week in Q3 (July – September) to look for patterns, deficiencies, etc.
I have not done this, but my bloodwork has shown some deficiencies that I'm working to improve.
SLEEP: Get to sleep by 10 p.m. at least three nights per week every week in Q3 (July – September).
I have not been tracking this, but I'm pretty certain that I have been meeting this goal, at least since 2024 started.
SET A BASELINE: Race a 500 free, even if it’s not at a meet, to set a baseline time as soon as possible in July.
I just set this baseline! But I also realized that I'd like to focus more on the shorter freestyle races for now.
2024 Q2 (April - June) Swimming Goals
SPEED: At least once per month, complete this set: 10x50 @ :50 fast.
STAMINA: At least once per month, complete a 4,000-yard work out.
STRENGTH: Maintain muscle mass or increase it by 1 lb by the end of June. Achieve this by strength training 1x per week and doing yoga 1x per week.
NUTRITION: Track my intake at least three days per week to look for patterns, deficiencies, etc.
SLEEP: Get uninterrupted sleep for at least seven hours, three days per week.
Leave a Comment: By telling you my goals, I’m making a commitment and creating a sense of accountability.
Share your goal! What do you hope to accomplish this month? This spring? This year?
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