I haven’t swum in a while and just completed 1500 meters in about 40-41 minutes. I’m obese and have some old injuries, but I’ve been working on improving my health. I didn’t push myself too hard today and felt like I could have done more. Should I focus on swimming faster or increasing my distance?
First, well done for completing 1500 meters. That’s a great start. What are your goals with swimming?
Dara said:
First, well done for completing 1500 meters. That’s a great start. What are your goals with swimming?
My main goal is overall fitness.
Dara said:
First, well done for completing 1500 meters. That’s a great start. What are your goals with swimming?
My main goal is overall fitness.
Then focus on being consistent. Aim for 3 sessions a week. Don’t worry about speed or distance for now—just enjoy swimming.
The most important thing is improving on your own time. Go a little faster than you did before, and you’re winning.
The main focus should be avoiding injuries. Over time, speed and endurance will naturally improve.
Adley said:
The main focus should be avoiding injuries. Over time, speed and endurance will naturally improve.
Exactly. Speed doesn’t come from trying to swim faster—it comes from improving your form. Work on technique first.
At this stage, the key is building good habits. Commit to showing up consistently, even on days when you don’t feel like it. Variety can also help—alternate between longer, slower swims and shorter, faster ones. Throw in some drills or kicking sessions for technique. Track your progress over months rather than weeks to really see how far you’ve come.
@Bevan
This is solid advice. Consistency is everything.
Oaklee said:
@Bevan
This is solid advice. Consistency is everything.
Agreed. Small, steady improvements make a big difference.
Swimming 1500 meters puts you in a rare group. Most people can’t swim that distance at all. However, 2:45 per 100 meters is considered slow by swimmer standards. But don’t let that bother you—what you’ve accomplished is impressive, especially if you’re new to it.
@Dariel
Really? That’s encouraging. I didn’t realize how rare it was to swim that distance.
Ellery said:
@Dariel
Really? That’s encouraging. I didn’t realize how rare it was to swim that distance.
Definitely. Among the general population, you’re doing great. Among swimmers, it’s slower, but the important thing is that you’re in the pool and improving.
Ellery said:
@Dariel
Really? That’s encouraging. I didn’t realize how rare it was to swim that distance.
To be honest, 2:45 is very slow compared to athletic swimmers. A decent pace would start at 1:30 per 100 meters.
To answer directly: no, 2:45 isn’t a fast pace. But that doesn’t matter—you’re doing it for yourself. Swimming 1500 meters is further than most people can manage. Instead of worrying about speed or distance in each session, focus on swimming regularly. Aim for at least twice a week, and improvements will come naturally.
Any time you swim 1500 meters, it’s an achievement. I’ve taught friends who struggled to hit 1000 meters. Keep it up!
The most important thing is getting in the pool. Mark off the days you swim, and don’t worry about pace for now. Well done for getting back to it!
Focus on what works for you. It’s tempting to try and beat your time or distance every session, but consistency matters more. Some days, I focus on technique, like keeping my head straight in freestyle. Other days, I go for speed. Do what keeps you motivated—you’re already ahead of most people just by showing up.
Speed varies a lot between swimmers. Some days, go for longer swims at an easy pace, and other days, do shorter swims focusing on speed. Mixing it up keeps things interesting and helps you improve in different ways.
Pace doesn’t matter as much as enjoying yourself. Stay consistent with your swimming, and you’ll see your speed improve naturally. Fins and paddles can make you feel faster and stronger, but be careful with technique to avoid injury.