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.
It seems like the older I get, the more perfect conditions have to be for me to have a "good" swim - whether in workout or in meets. Although I don't think of myself as an accident waiting to happen, it seems I have chronic injuries - I envy those who have never had sore shoulders or knee problems! Sometimes I have to remind myself that there is more to life than swimming, and that these are the only arms/legs I'm going to get, so I should listen to my body & be careful - there is a fine line between that however, and pushing your body to the limit to maximize performance! How to find the balance between pushing yourself safely & injuring yourself?
My biggest struggles in years gone by were Mommy issues - it was always way more important to me to get the kids to their practices & meets etc than it was to do mine - after all, I had the opportunity when I was a kid. Now that they have all flown the nest, I have nothing holding me back & I am loving it!
It seems like the older I get, the more perfect conditions have to be for me to have a "good" swim - whether in workout or in meets. Although I don't think of myself as an accident waiting to happen, it seems I have chronic injuries - I envy those who have never had sore shoulders or knee problems! Sometimes I have to remind myself that there is more to life than swimming, and that these are the only arms/legs I'm going to get, so I should listen to my body & be careful - there is a fine line between that however, and pushing your body to the limit to maximize performance! How to find the balance between pushing yourself safely & injuring yourself?
My biggest struggles in years gone by were Mommy issues - it was always way more important to me to get the kids to their practices & meets etc than it was to do mine - after all, I had the opportunity when I was a kid. Now that they have all flown the nest, I have nothing holding me back & I am loving it!
