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.
Now, I swim for ME.
That is what I would hope the goal would be for all Masters swimmers; just to swim for ourselves, no matter what our goals are in swimming. For some, it's just to stay fit. And, for others, it's breaking a world record. But, I would hope those goals would be our own goals; not what somebody wants for us.
When I first got back into swimming, I had no thought of competing again, like I had done 30 years before, in high school. But, as I got better and felt faster, the competitive spirit returned and I saw it as my opportunity to compete again my way. Not having to answer to a coach or fear disappointing my teammates was liberating! Now, I could choose the events to enter at swim meets! :banana:
The last 21/2 years in USMS has been a blast and I love going to swim meets! And, I love competing against the clock.
If the clock is making you unhappy and frustrated, chuck it until you are ready to face it again. And, just swim for fitness if competition doesn't excite you. But, if your goal is to get faster, the clock is a necessary tool that you will need to embrace.
Now, I swim for ME.
That is what I would hope the goal would be for all Masters swimmers; just to swim for ourselves, no matter what our goals are in swimming. For some, it's just to stay fit. And, for others, it's breaking a world record. But, I would hope those goals would be our own goals; not what somebody wants for us.
When I first got back into swimming, I had no thought of competing again, like I had done 30 years before, in high school. But, as I got better and felt faster, the competitive spirit returned and I saw it as my opportunity to compete again my way. Not having to answer to a coach or fear disappointing my teammates was liberating! Now, I could choose the events to enter at swim meets! :banana:
The last 21/2 years in USMS has been a blast and I love going to swim meets! And, I love competing against the clock.
If the clock is making you unhappy and frustrated, chuck it until you are ready to face it again. And, just swim for fitness if competition doesn't excite you. But, if your goal is to get faster, the clock is a necessary tool that you will need to embrace.
