A swimming "first" happened to me this weekend. I was sick for my season-ending meet, for which I had tapered to, shaved, and wore an expensive suit. Last weekend, I had mild symptoms of the flu, even though I had a flu shot last September. I guess the flu shot is wearing off? I don't know, I'm not exactly an expert on how those shots work, anyway.
Even still, everything would've been alright, except the flu was followed up by acute bronchitis. I would cough up bright yellow mucus and, periodically, I had a wheeze where it seems like your lungs and ribcage are rattling. Other than that, I felt perfectly fine! It didn't agree with my swimming, though. By Thursday, I would be going about my day normally, then I'd get to the pool, start doing my taper workout, and start expectorating again.
Several websites I looked at advised that a lower respiratory infection means complete and total bed rest, no exercise at all. But what am I supposed to do? Not swim and thus not taper? Not go to my season-ending meet? Not hope that the next day the bronchitis would be gone for good, and everything would be ready just in time to swim fast?
I went 2 seconds slower than last year in my 100 free (a 55 compared to a 53). Even though I was shaved, tapered, and wearing a tech suit, my 100 back was 4 seconds slower than my personal best of 1:08.6- a time which I got within a second of in-season with no rest (all the way back in February, no less).
I did everything right this past year. Even with all the uncontrollables, from my dad getting a stroke, to having to go down south to take care of my nephew while my sister-in-law was on bed rest with nephew #2 on the way, to my ancient minivan officially dying for good over a week ago, I still did everything right. 16.5 percent more work I did in the pool this season compared to last. I guess I'm just trying to remind myself that sometimes **** happens and I don't have to blame myself for it.
Welcome to Masters Swimming. This is the world where things like sickness, children and job responsibilities get in our way. Rare is the person who doesn't have some sort of health or other life challenge right when they want to perform well in the pool. Many of us acquire conditions that alter our ability to train and compete the way we want to for YEARS. That's what makes masters swimmers so awesome - we get in there and do it anyway, despite all the C*** life throws at us.
Sorry for your rotten meet - but know that you are in good company. :)
Welcome to Masters Swimming. This is the world where things like sickness, children and job responsibilities get in our way. Rare is the person who doesn't have some sort of health or other life challenge right when they want to perform well in the pool. Many of us acquire conditions that alter our ability to train and compete the way we want to for YEARS. That's what makes masters swimmers so awesome - we get in there and do it anyway, despite all the C*** life throws at us.
Sorry for your rotten meet - but know that you are in good company. :)
