I have for you an all too common tale of a (former) swimmer who regrets ever quitting the sport.
I am a college sophomore who has been feeling more unmotivated than I ever have in my entire life. Getting up and going to classes is even becoming a struggle and truth be told, I'm miserable. I swam competitively from age 7 through high school, and without sounding pretentious I a garnered a fair amount of success (frequented the top 10 list in my lsc, etc etc) I was always one of those kids with the insane "sports parents" who made me feel like swimming was my career (ie, i had actually been GROUNDED on multiple occasions for "not swimming my hardest" what?) and once I got into high school I started to hate swimming, and my performance and effort reflected that. By my junior year of high school I was so fed up with swimming I stopped swimming year round and just swam for my high school team, which I certainly don't regret at all. At the end of my sophomore year I cranked out a 21.6 scy 50..my last top effort swim of my career
Even though my parents were insane, I loved my teammates and I loved being in the water. Swimming was the only thing that really let me release my frustrations and helped keep me focused in life. Basically swimming helped me deal with life, something I'm sure most swimmers can relate to.
So back to my current situation: I have had quite a few life changes recently. Girlfriend of 2 years broke up with me, friends have been getting in trouble with law, and I myself had a few run-ins (close calls, really) with the law. I feel like all of these things are telling me to go back to the place that always helped me get through things and keep me out of trouble: the water. So I've decided to get back in the water...starting tomorrow morning. I'm going to be training with a masters team that trains in my college's pool, and I am hoping to eventually walk onto to my school's team next year. After 3 years of smoking and drinking....am I crazy? Is this possible? Will I ever get back to my peak swimming form? I'm really just hoping to hear from anyone who has attempted something like this, or knows someone who has.
Thanks guys
I started competitive swimming for the first time in my life three years ago this upcoming January after six years of growing fatter and fatter, bingeing on candy and other junk food and sitting on my well-cushioned butt. Essentially, I didn't do anything physical on any sort of consistent basis throughout my entire teenage years. I come from a family that places a high priority on sports, all of my cousins and my brothers all played on little-league, middle school, and high school teams, from soccer and baseball to wrestling and football, but notably, nothing aquatic. I wish I had had parents and brothers who wouldn't have been so dismissive when I told them in 8th grade that I wanted to do something in the water as a high school sport. As insane as your parents sound, I think a little bit of my parents' attributes mixed in with a little of your parents' obvious enthusiasm for aquatic sports sounds lovely.
That said, I like where I am today. Three years ago in Jan '09, I went a 1:19.92 on my first 100 free scy. Last July, I went 53.13. I'm a late blooming swimmer and I love it. More and more, I've come to appreciate the advantages and special perspectives that come with starting this sport at the age I have. I wouldn't trade it to have started the sport any earlier.
In your case, just focus on what you call it in your title- a daring comeback. That's a wonderful starting point, tells a story, gives your reestablished love for swimming an arc to follow, you know? You drank, you smoke, you danced and teetered on the edge... so, psychologically and physiologically, you've probably fallen a far world from where you left swimming at that 21.6 50fr time. Three years ago, there was a big hole in my life and I didn't know what the hell was supposed to fill it. It was like not knowing what I was supposed to be doing. Then I found swimming. Just focus on finding and milking the positives of returning to a sport after a three or so year absence.
I look forward to watching your progress as you return to and surpass your high school glory days. It'll happen.
Geesh 53.3 three years after starting from scratch? Good for you! I'm on 2 years of teaching myself and almost a year with a masters team and haven't sniffed 1:00 yet. I'm a good athlete, in good shape, 44. Do you have a good coach?
As for swoo47, good for you recognizing that things need to change. Everybody needs that thing in life to hold onto, that thing that gives you pleasure and comfort, that gives you somehing to look forward to. For some it is religion, for others family, for others sports, and unfortunately for some drugs, alcohol, etc. You are essentially transplanting that innate need into swimming. Getting better and setting goals helps give meaning to your life. I will tell you something funny. Since I started swimming seriously I find myself to be a much better person. My naughty thoughts, if you know what I mean, have become far and few between, lol.
I started competitive swimming for the first time in my life three years ago this upcoming January after six years of growing fatter and fatter, bingeing on candy and other junk food and sitting on my well-cushioned butt. Essentially, I didn't do anything physical on any sort of consistent basis throughout my entire teenage years. I come from a family that places a high priority on sports, all of my cousins and my brothers all played on little-league, middle school, and high school teams, from soccer and baseball to wrestling and football, but notably, nothing aquatic. I wish I had had parents and brothers who wouldn't have been so dismissive when I told them in 8th grade that I wanted to do something in the water as a high school sport. As insane as your parents sound, I think a little bit of my parents' attributes mixed in with a little of your parents' obvious enthusiasm for aquatic sports sounds lovely.
That said, I like where I am today. Three years ago in Jan '09, I went a 1:19.92 on my first 100 free scy. Last July, I went 53.13. I'm a late blooming swimmer and I love it. More and more, I've come to appreciate the advantages and special perspectives that come with starting this sport at the age I have. I wouldn't trade it to have started the sport any earlier.
In your case, just focus on what you call it in your title- a daring comeback. That's a wonderful starting point, tells a story, gives your reestablished love for swimming an arc to follow, you know? You drank, you smoke, you danced and teetered on the edge... so, psychologically and physiologically, you've probably fallen a far world from where you left swimming at that 21.6 50fr time. Three years ago, there was a big hole in my life and I didn't know what the hell was supposed to fill it. It was like not knowing what I was supposed to be doing. Then I found swimming. Just focus on finding and milking the positives of returning to a sport after a three or so year absence.
I look forward to watching your progress as you return to and surpass your high school glory days. It'll happen.
Geesh 53.3 three years after starting from scratch? Good for you! I'm on 2 years of teaching myself and almost a year with a masters team and haven't sniffed 1:00 yet. I'm a good athlete, in good shape, 44. Do you have a good coach?
As for swoo47, good for you recognizing that things need to change. Everybody needs that thing in life to hold onto, that thing that gives you pleasure and comfort, that gives you somehing to look forward to. For some it is religion, for others family, for others sports, and unfortunately for some drugs, alcohol, etc. You are essentially transplanting that innate need into swimming. Getting better and setting goals helps give meaning to your life. I will tell you something funny. Since I started swimming seriously I find myself to be a much better person. My naughty thoughts, if you know what I mean, have become far and few between, lol.
