Psychology of Masters Swimming - Your Input Please

Former Member
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.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    What I have to manage is probably what most masters swimmers have to to some extent: desire vs. physical limitations. I have an impingement in both shoulders. If I swim they hurt. If I swim too much, I get long term injuries (tore both rotator cuffs at one point). According to the orthopedic surgeons, my shoulders can't be fixed. I do every exercise the physical therapists say I should. I have to ice after every swim workout. It's tough to accept that I can be good, but never elite at swimming due to chronic injuries.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    What I have to manage is probably what most masters swimmers have to to some extent: desire vs. physical limitations. I have an impingement in both shoulders. If I swim they hurt. If I swim too much, I get long term injuries (tore both rotator cuffs at one point). According to the orthopedic surgeons, my shoulders can't be fixed. I do every exercise the physical therapists say I should. I have to ice after every swim workout. It's tough to accept that I can be good, but never elite at swimming due to chronic injuries.
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