Psychology of Masters Swimming - Your Input Please
Former Member
I trained and worked as a sport psychologist before I took up masters swimming (and about the same time stopped private practice due to my boring corporate job), and for the first time really I'm looking to put both together with some articles for the web.
There's no lack of material on swimming performance but there's not much out there, for physical or mental aspects of swimming, that really acknowledges the specific challenges that masters swimmers face.
I'd really like to hear your own views on what you have to manage as a masters swimmer. This doesn't have to relate to racing specifically.
For example, I have to plan around my family, never manage to do as much training as I'd like, so I have to manage my own expectations, yet bring what I have in my locker on race day and make the most of it. I also have my 'former' life as a swimmer and the negative experiences that led to me quitting at 18 that shape my motivations now.
Thanks,
Rob
P.S. I've yet to start my own site, but I do have a swimming psychology page on facebook and I'm on twitter. I'd really appreciate a boost with likes/shares as I build a readership.
For me, the toughest part is convincing myself that the work is worth the reward when the reward is more than a few weeks away. At least once a week I find myself looking for excuses to skip the next morning's practice.
The second toughest part is putting in the full effort when I'm swimming on my own. This has become less of a problem since I've discovered the diversity of workouts available here on the forums, and the social aspect of blogging and reading other peoples' blogs. Having my in-practice times in writing on the Internets gives me something to chase for the next workout.
And sometimes I feel guilt, or disappointment, or something along those lines, about that day my freshman year of college when I decided that I just didn't want to get up early to go to practice anymore. I use that as motivation now.
For me, the toughest part is convincing myself that the work is worth the reward when the reward is more than a few weeks away. At least once a week I find myself looking for excuses to skip the next morning's practice.
The second toughest part is putting in the full effort when I'm swimming on my own. This has become less of a problem since I've discovered the diversity of workouts available here on the forums, and the social aspect of blogging and reading other peoples' blogs. Having my in-practice times in writing on the Internets gives me something to chase for the next workout.
And sometimes I feel guilt, or disappointment, or something along those lines, about that day my freshman year of college when I decided that I just didn't want to get up early to go to practice anymore. I use that as motivation now.
