Hi,
We are planning an article on the "winter blues" for the Nov. / Dec. issue of SWIMMER. I've got some ideas for a way to take a fresh look at the subject, but I'd love to hear from our member swimmers who may have issues with the low light and cold temperatures of winter.
Does it affect your training? Have you found a way to beat it? (Florida and So.Cal folks, I realize this is less than applicable to you, but friends in Nebraska and New York and Alaska, or any other state with seasons, please weigh in!)
Thanks for your time and insights. Please feel free to message me privately.
Sincerely,
Laura
Ditto. Swimming in Arizona in the winter can be tough. All of the pools where I swim are outdoors, and I always wet my hair before I get in.
For me the trick is to go every day. That way I don't even think about the cold. Wake up - go to the pool - wet my hair - put on my parka - scurry out to the pool deck - shed the parka - haul a$$ to the edge of the pool - jump in - swim - feel happy - shower - get ready for the day. It's just what I do.
Similar issues here in northern California. I don't know of any indoor pools in my area at all. The outdoor pools are heated, but you still have to get in and get out, in weather in the 40s (occasionally 30s), often raining and windy. For a long time my swimming would radically fall off in the winter because I couldn't hack it. Then I got myself a warm swim parka to huddle in until the very last second, and paid attention to all the swimmers in their 60s, 70s, and 80s who were going in rain or shine. Between those two things I manage to get myself in the pool, but some days it is still tough.
Ditto. Swimming in Arizona in the winter can be tough. All of the pools where I swim are outdoors, and I always wet my hair before I get in.
For me the trick is to go every day. That way I don't even think about the cold. Wake up - go to the pool - wet my hair - put on my parka - scurry out to the pool deck - shed the parka - haul a$$ to the edge of the pool - jump in - swim - feel happy - shower - get ready for the day. It's just what I do.
Similar issues here in northern California. I don't know of any indoor pools in my area at all. The outdoor pools are heated, but you still have to get in and get out, in weather in the 40s (occasionally 30s), often raining and windy. For a long time my swimming would radically fall off in the winter because I couldn't hack it. Then I got myself a warm swim parka to huddle in until the very last second, and paid attention to all the swimmers in their 60s, 70s, and 80s who were going in rain or shine. Between those two things I manage to get myself in the pool, but some days it is still tough.
