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.
I am happy to say that as a Masters swimmer, the one thing I don't have to manage is motivation. No matter how beaten down I feel, I can't wait to get into the pool the next day! :bliss:And, I hate the one day off I do take off each week to rest. :bitching: But, I must; my body needs it- desperately, at times.
Which leads me to what I do have to manage as a Masters swimmer: My mind is willing, but my body isn't always quite as willing. Although I am a very fit and healthy (as far as getting "sick" goes) 50 year old, I didn't pick the best father when it comes to genes. I got it all from him: Bad back (I had back surgery at 25), bad knees (I had to quit the high school volleyball team and just swim, instead; a good decision, as it turned out! :D), mitral valve prolapse, high eye pressure, and auto immune disorders. My dad rarely got sick, but when he did, his body's immune system turned against itself. Same here. I have only had one cold since moving to Georgia three years ago- and, I picked that up overseas on a sick ship. Prior to that, I maybe get a cold once every two years. And, I have rarely been sick worse than that. But, when I do get sick, I am left with something permanent, like Meniere's (inner ear disorder) and tinnitus, which has left me unable to do flip turns anymore, without getting seasick after a few hundred yards.
I have also had serious repetitive stress injuries, thanks to the body type I inherited from my dad. In addition to the back surgery, I had major surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. My surgeon said I would be able to swim again, but I don't think he ever envisioned me competing again and logging 92 miles in my FLOG, so far this year! :D
So, all of this I have to manage. It's a fine line: Swimming is the best thing I can do to keep me off the treadmill (and keep my tarsal tunnel syndrome from flaring up- another repetitive stress injury), but still stay fit and keep the endorphins kicking in. It makes me happy, it keeps me motivated, and I love how it feels to be in the water. And, I love the competition and all that goes with it; especially USMS! But, I have to really listen to my body and make sure I am using proper technique and resting when I need it. My Tuesdays &Thursdays coach keeps a good eye on that, knowing how important it is. And, my husband serves as my deck coach after he finishes his workouts on the other days, making sure I am protecting my shoulders with good technique. When something doesn't feel right in my shoulders, I switch to kicking. And, if my knees have had too much breaststroke, I switch to pull-only breaststroke or switch to another stroke. I am constantly monitoring my body. And, if that isn't enough, I have medical issues with the heat, so I have to monitor that, too! :afraid:Air and water conditions are something I really have to pay attention to; especially if the combo. gets too hot.
So far, so good. 3-4 taper meets each year seems to be what I need to keep from :cane:. My goal? To grow up to be like Anne Dunivin, my 95 year old teammate who is breaking national records, because she has outlived her competition! :cheerleader:
I am happy to say that as a Masters swimmer, the one thing I don't have to manage is motivation. No matter how beaten down I feel, I can't wait to get into the pool the next day! :bliss:And, I hate the one day off I do take off each week to rest. :bitching: But, I must; my body needs it- desperately, at times.
Which leads me to what I do have to manage as a Masters swimmer: My mind is willing, but my body isn't always quite as willing. Although I am a very fit and healthy (as far as getting "sick" goes) 50 year old, I didn't pick the best father when it comes to genes. I got it all from him: Bad back (I had back surgery at 25), bad knees (I had to quit the high school volleyball team and just swim, instead; a good decision, as it turned out! :D), mitral valve prolapse, high eye pressure, and auto immune disorders. My dad rarely got sick, but when he did, his body's immune system turned against itself. Same here. I have only had one cold since moving to Georgia three years ago- and, I picked that up overseas on a sick ship. Prior to that, I maybe get a cold once every two years. And, I have rarely been sick worse than that. But, when I do get sick, I am left with something permanent, like Meniere's (inner ear disorder) and tinnitus, which has left me unable to do flip turns anymore, without getting seasick after a few hundred yards.
I have also had serious repetitive stress injuries, thanks to the body type I inherited from my dad. In addition to the back surgery, I had major surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. My surgeon said I would be able to swim again, but I don't think he ever envisioned me competing again and logging 92 miles in my FLOG, so far this year! :D
So, all of this I have to manage. It's a fine line: Swimming is the best thing I can do to keep me off the treadmill (and keep my tarsal tunnel syndrome from flaring up- another repetitive stress injury), but still stay fit and keep the endorphins kicking in. It makes me happy, it keeps me motivated, and I love how it feels to be in the water. And, I love the competition and all that goes with it; especially USMS! But, I have to really listen to my body and make sure I am using proper technique and resting when I need it. My Tuesdays &Thursdays coach keeps a good eye on that, knowing how important it is. And, my husband serves as my deck coach after he finishes his workouts on the other days, making sure I am protecting my shoulders with good technique. When something doesn't feel right in my shoulders, I switch to kicking. And, if my knees have had too much breaststroke, I switch to pull-only breaststroke or switch to another stroke. I am constantly monitoring my body. And, if that isn't enough, I have medical issues with the heat, so I have to monitor that, too! :afraid:Air and water conditions are something I really have to pay attention to; especially if the combo. gets too hot.
So far, so good. 3-4 taper meets each year seems to be what I need to keep from :cane:. My goal? To grow up to be like Anne Dunivin, my 95 year old teammate who is breaking national records, because she has outlived her competition! :cheerleader:
