Anyone give up on swimming to the pace clock and find comfort in just lap swimming for exercise? I have never swam any other way than intervals even after a 20 year layoff.
But I have been on a three month downward spiral. I'm so far out of shape that the couple of workouts I tried were so discouraging that I just want to quit. Yet I swam in a lake last week and felt pretty good. Went to the pool today and intended to just try to swim for 30 minutes straight but damn that clock - swam 6x200 on 4:00. Three months ago I could do 10 on the 3:30 in my sleep and 10 seconds faster per. I just don't want to do this anymore at least not now to even get back to that point. I wouldn't mind just trying to swim a 5k this summer nice and slow instead of competing. I pretty much just need the exercise to lose some weight and be healthy. Yet compteting was what always had motivated me even if it was just against myself and the clock.
So did anyone take this tact and live to tell me how awesome it is? You burn more calories, no more flip turns, no more clock, just swimming.
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Former Member
I was worried as I read thru that the cause of your decline may have been health related; seem like it's more lifestyle. As a clean limbed youth, my performance wouldn't degrade nearly as quickly after skipping a few workoust as it does now. I pay much more attention to rest and recovery, listen to how my body feels, and luckily, I can no longer resolve a digital clock face with what's left of my eagle eyes. Just keep swimming; you're still lapping those folks at the bar or on the couch!
I was worried as I read thru that the cause of your decline may have been health related; seem like it's more lifestyle. As a clean limbed youth, my performance wouldn't degrade nearly as quickly after skipping a few workoust as it does now. I pay much more attention to rest and recovery, listen to how my body feels, and luckily, I can no longer resolve a digital clock face with what's left of my eagle eyes. Just keep swimming; you're still lapping those folks at the bar or on the couch!
