Thanks guys, appreciate both of your advice.
Intricoach - you're right that this is a lofty goal - must admit that I hadn't thought about how it would rank at FINA level though. Moreover, as you and others here have pointed out, getting sub 1:05:00 will probably take more time than I'm prepared to give on a weekly basis. I'm taking the long view - aiming at the 2015 champs with a quali swim in late 2014 - so I have time to work on a proper program and make improvements to my stroke that will last, its more a question of time each week. Aside from the two pillars of family and work, I'm still inclined to keep time aside for a couple of bike rides a week for instance. I love cycling and will come back to triathlon sometime in the future so I dont' want to completely mothball my bike. I can run during lunch hours but biking is usually best done in the morning. Not to mention, I get bored if I just swim everyday for weeks on end. I need to mix it up. A little.
Switching the Masters for the Aussie OW's is certainly a pragmatic approach which I may end up taking. I may also see how I go at Masters 800 and 1500m if thats the case. For now, I figure I"ll give the big goal a shot until about mid-year and then re-assess. I might be over it, I might be swimming daily, I might even have a decent kick by then! There is a 3.9km OW swim in later April which will be a good test. I've always found I respond best to big, simple goals either way.
I have plenty of shorter (2-3km) ocean races in the meantime to give some short term goals & motivation. There are two here in Sydney later this month which are my current focus: the Big Swim (Palm-Whale) and the Cole Classic (Manly). I'm also lucky to train in the lanes next to a couple of great masters o/w swimmers - including the winner of the 2012 world masters 3km amongst other titles and placings. There is inspiration and good advice right on my pool deck whenever I need it.
Anyway, I'm rambling now....Thanks again!
Intricoach - you're right that this is a lofty goal - must admit that I hadn't thought about how it would rank at FINA level though. Moreover, as you and others here have pointed out, getting sub 1:05:00 will probably take more time than I'm prepared to give on a weekly basis. I'm taking the long view - aiming at the 2015 champs with a quali swim in late 2014 - so I have time to work on a proper program and make improvements to my stroke that will last, its more a question of time each week. Aside from the two pillars of family and work, I'm still inclined to keep time aside for a couple of bike rides a week for instance. I love cycling and will come back to triathlon sometime in the future so I dont' want to completely mothball my bike. I can run during lunch hours but biking is usually best done in the morning. Not to mention, I get bored if I just swim everyday for weeks on end. I need to mix it up. A little.
Switching the Masters for the Aussie OW's is certainly a pragmatic approach which I may end up taking. I may also see how I go at Masters 800 and 1500m if thats the case. For now, I figure I"ll give the big goal a shot until about mid-year and then re-assess. I might be over it, I might be swimming daily, I might even have a decent kick by then! There is a 3.9km OW swim in later April which will be a good test. I've always found I respond best to big, simple goals either way.
I have plenty of shorter (2-3km) ocean races in the meantime to give some short term goals & motivation. There are two here in Sydney later this month which are my current focus: the Big Swim (Palm-Whale) and the Cole Classic (Manly). I'm also lucky to train in the lanes next to a couple of great masters o/w swimmers - including the winner of the 2012 world masters 3km amongst other titles and placings. There is inspiration and good advice right on my pool deck whenever I need it.
Anyway, I'm rambling now....Thanks again!