Psychology of Masters Swimming - Your Input Please

. Although I have made great strides since I began, I do have to manage a sense of, I don't quite know what it is - frustration, disappointment, maybe - that at age 41, not only am I unlikely to fully realize whatever potential I might have had with an earlier start, but that the window in which I can accomplish certain goals in terms of performance is not particularly large. Just means your potential is yet to come

Unlike the majority of folks here, I have no background in age group, HS, or college swimming at all. Moreover, I had no experience in any team sports whatsoever when I was younger. For a number of reasons, I was never afforded the opportunity. One thing I personally love about masters is that it gives me the chance to do something as an adult that I always felt I missed out on when I was younger: compete in athletic events as part of a team. However, I wasn't even aware of the existence of masters swimming until I was in my late 30s. Although I have made great strides since I began, I do have to manage a sense of, I don't quite know what it is - frustration, disappointment, maybe - that at age 41, not only am I unlikely to fully realize whatever potential I might have had with an earlier start, but that the window in which I can accomplish certain goals in terms of performance is not particularly large. As Steve and Couldbebetterfly mentioned, it's the journey that counts, and that can start at any time and go in any direction. It's an even greater accomplishment to come to this sport without the earlier swimming. Swimming is complex and requires an enormous amount of training to do it well. You are accompllshing what many wouldn't even think to try. And, if you follow some of the threads, you'll notice that some swimmers have lots of problems with swimmer's shoulder (often shreaded rotators) and sometimes knees and ankles too, possibly the result of too much yardage when they were younger. Hopefully, you've managed to miss any and all of those problems, and can now "backend" your journey. It was comparatively easy for me to get back in the water, I've been at it for a long time. However, I too wonder "what might have been." Yes, I have expereiences that go further back in time, but you and swimdaily have the advantage of looking at swimminig through fresh adult eyes as a new sport for you, and deserve the kuddos for great accomplishment. Good luck, don't look back, you never know what jaws might be gaining on yah, and keep it up!

Here is my swimming history: I swam summer league starting when I was about age 5, then at age 13 swim all year round, but only twice a week with a Y team during the school year (my thought that more would take too much time away from other activities that they wanted me to do :P). Then in high school I swam with my high school team (which was great, we were a really good and fun team), and, in the last couple of years, an age group team. I always felt behind the curve and was mediocre at best. I swam my freshman year in college, but the coach was overtraining us and it was a miserable experience, especially on top of keeping up with classes, so I quit. There was a new coach my junior year, but by the I felt like I'd be out of the pool too long. (Ha!). Then I did masters for a few years in my late 20s until I moved to CA. I couldn't find a team that worked for me time-wise until I moved to my current location about 5 years ago. Now I am training consistently and loving it, although I wish I could get into the pool more often than I do -- I am training 3X/week for 1 hr each session. I have a sabbatical from my job coming up and I am hoping to use it to get more swimming in. Looking back on my swimming as a child, I was always frustrated that I was not a better swimmer even though I was working hard, was tall and strong, etc. From my perspective today, I can see that two things were holding me back: 1) a lot of negative self-talk and 2) asthma (my coaches liked to make fun of my breathing, but no one ever thought to send me to the doctor :bitching:). I'd like to say that knowing these things has made me a better swimmer, but those are the same two main things I struggle with today (aside from not being able to train as much as I like). I still feel like I am not swimming as well as I should be, and I get embarrassed about my times, but I can't seem to move forward in any significant way.

For me, the motivation of Masters is the enjoyment. Unlike so many here, I don't have a background in swimming at all. I never swam age group, high school, or college. It wasn't even offered in the small town, where I live. I never took a swim lesson. I'm self taught. I have always LOVED to watch competitive swimming, though. I'm an Olympic junkie! One day, I decided that I wanted REALLY swim. The Masters program members and coaches said that it wasn't too late for me to do that. So, I joined and that's exactly what I did. This is only my second year competing, and I'm totally addicted! The feeling of accomplishment and pride after a good practice or meet, is what keeps me motivated and coming back! Also, it was fun to finally realize my childhood dream of swimming competitively!!

Although I have made great strides since I began, I do have to manage a sense of, I don't quite know what it is - frustration, disappointment, maybe - that at age 41, not only am I unlikely to fully realize whatever potential I might have had with an earlier start, but that the window in which I can accomplish certain goals in terms of performance is not particularly large. Start from now, set yourself a goal and enjoy the journey. I'm 37 and aiming for a lifetime best this year to get into the TT for the 400 free. I did swim when I was younger, but not at a very high level. I didn't make the University team, took 7 years off, came back, did 4 lifetime bests age 31 after having my 1st baby, had my 2nd baby, moved across the pond, and am now on the comeback once again. It has been said before, but its all about doing your best with what's available to you right now.

I've now added a follow-up article on the challenges faced by masters swimmers. All shares/likes and comments appreciated. Thanks

I've now added a follow-up article on the challenges faced by masters swimmers. All shares/likes and comments appreciated. Thanks Rob - Reading this, I found myself thinking that really, only point 3 seemed to be soley a Masters level issue. The others are common to all swimmers regardless of one's age, aren't they? Also, you want to correct your last sentence, where you used "won" in place of "one".

As Steve and Couldbebetterfly mentioned, it's the journey that counts, and that can start at any time and go in any direction. It's an even greater accomplishment to come to this sport without the earlier swimming. Swimming is complex and requires an enormous amount of training to do it well. You are accompllshing what many wouldn't even think to try. And, if you follow some of the threads, you'll notice that some swimmers have lots of problems with swimmer's shoulder (often shreaded rotators) and sometimes knees and ankles too, possibly the result of too much yardage when they were younger. Hopefully, you've managed to miss any and all of those problems, and can now "backend" your journey. It was comparatively easy for me to get back in the water, I've been at it for a long time. However, I too wonder "what might have been." Yes, I have expereiences that go further back in time, but you and swimdaily have the advantage of looking at swimminig through fresh adult eyes as a new sport for you, and deserve the kuddos for great accomplishment. Good luck, don't look back, you never know what jaws might be gaining on yah, and keep it up! I, too, seem to be one of a fairly rare breed (at least here on these forums) that began swimming seriously as an adult. I heard of masters many years ago, but only started with it a bit over 2 yrs ago. I so agree with the first part of Sojerz' quote -- its the journey that counts, that this is a difficult & technical sport, and that I'm likely doing more in masters than 99% of the general adult population :) After saying that I'd "Never do one", I started doing meets last June & haven't looked back since! I use them as a gauge of my training, coaching, and techniques -- & really don't worry about what other swimmers do (timewise) at them, just how I'm doing (hopefully better than last time). For the most part, that's been my experience :agree:. I say that I'm quite glad that I didn't swim competitively in my younger years (only swim lessons as a kid); I have nothing to 'regain', didn't 'burn out'; nor do I seem to have the classic swimmer's ailments or at least 'issues' that others mention (thanks be to God!). It's been a great sport for my health, fitness, & confidence -- all of these have helped me to become a better person, I feel! :). And when my ego is deflated at times, I just remember that there's more to life than swimming -- hence my signature!

A hard workout relaxes me better than any drug I could imagine (ideally I don't get too relaxed and doze off :)). In fact, I try to schedule stressful meetings right after swim. The challenge for me is the beginning of a workout. I don't know if it's being 66, but it takes me at least 1500 yd before I start feeling good, and it takes major will power to push through the first half of the set. Eventually I stop hurting and start cruising, and it's a great feeling when that happens, too.

I have been trying to live by the philosophy that the NEXT big meet is the important one.I generally have 3 taper meets/yr : SCY,LCM,and SCM.Those are my big meets.By making the next one the big one it keeps my focus forward.It keeps my training focused forward.If I swim a poor race I can use it as learning for the next meet.If I feel I wasn't prepared well enough for a meet I know better what to do for the next meet. Paradoxically the biggest impediment to this philosophy is swimming really well.At LCM Nats last year I swam a 200M BR much faster than I thought I could go.I spent about 2 mo replaying it over and over in my mind,resting on my laurels instead of focusing forward and my training suffered.One of the greatest thing about Masters is that it is a lifetime sport, really a fountain of youth, and there is always another meet.