:badday:
So, I've been swimming on/off for 15 years now. I started in college, swam for the school and have been with Masters ever since. I spent a few years away from the pool, but was in the ocean every day surfing. Moved away from the ocean and have been in the pool religiously for the past 4 years, never missing a day unless the pool was closed for maintenance, it was a holiday, or I had a Doctor's appt.
I follow a coach's workout everyday. I am in the water for about 90 minutes daily and am always changing up strokes, drills, etc. You would think that there's no way I could get bored in the water, but, it's happening.
2012 has been a tough year for me. I was admitted into the hospital in ICU with severe pneumonia, severe sepsis, multiple organ failure and I even had a stroke. This was in April. I was in a coma for 21 days. I died on the ER table and had to be resuscitated. I pulled through and was eventually admitted to an inpatient care facility to learn to walk, talk, feed myself, etc. I harassesed the therapists daily to let me get in the water!!! I could NOT wait to get back in the pool!!!
Well, June comes and I'm in the water. Start back slow with easy workouts. 1200-1600 meters max. I eventually work up to my usual 2500-3000/day. Then, I notice in Sept., I am literally dreading going in for my workout. I put my fins on and coast through the whole thing just to get done and get out. WAY not normal for me.
Now, I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. I swim cause it is supposedly the easiest on the joints, but lately, I'm having problems with swimming and my RA. I flare and can't move in the water, which then frustrates me, and then makes not want to swim. I used to do two workouts a day...I would swim and then do Power 90 (the baby version of P90X). But, doing that is what put me in the hospital. The doctors said I wore my body down so much that it could not fight off any infection. I have to take chemo meds to control my RA, which pretty much kills my immune system.
Basically, I'm not sure what to do. I LOVE swimming. I love the water. I love the glide. I love the feeling of freeness that swimming provides. But, I just don't love it anymore....I hope that makes sense.
Have any of you felt this way? How did you get past it? Is it just a funk? Should I take some time away from the pool? Thank you in advance!!!
Former Member
There is nothing wrong with taking some nap on the couch with blankets time for you and just letting swimming come back to you...
You might just need some rest and solace after such a tough time...
Water will always be there.
I haven't had the best swimming year either. I was out of the water while getting cancer treatment and I have been slow to get back. My body can't do as much as it used to. Even on days I feel great I am reminded that I run out of energy faster than I used to and it takes longer to recover. I'm hoping this improves but there are no guarantees. I found myself coming up with excuses not to get to the pool. I found this confusing since, when I would actually make it, the workout would kick my butt something good but I loved being there. I found I was putting too much pressure on myself to get back to my past speed and workout length. I have since taken a more relaxed approach and my fear of going to the pool has subsided greatly. I aim to be in the water an hour but I worry less about yardage (I still keep track though . . . I can't help it!) and more about how I feel in the water and to focus on form.
Our situations are different and no two people are the same. It may be that you need some time away from swimming to try something else. Or maybe try a water fitness class (my pool has some for people with RA I think). It would be time in the water but in a different way and might be the shift that you need for right now. Try not to be too hard on yourself, I have found it takes too much energy that I need to use on other things. Take care of yourself, I hope that things improve for you soon.
I am so sorry you have been struggling with such terrible situations,it sounds horrible.You are still on powerful medicines that tend to sap strength.I'd suggest cutting down you workout length and frequency until it seems like "way too little".Leave the pool wishing you had done more.Have enough off days that you find yourself thinking "I wish this was a swim day." You have been through a terrible ordeal and probably everything seems like a struggle.Cut down your swimming until it doesn't seem like it adds to the struggle
Take care of yourself!
-Hi Jen,
Most every swimmer approaches their pool time with a competitive mindset. It's something which is wired into our breed as water people especially if we've been in the sport as youngsters. Imagine a German shepherd doing it's best not to bark and run after a stray cat. It's a natural reflex to want to take action and it's my guess that the swimmer in you wants to push. But it's hard right now, and that's making it both frustrating and demoralizing.
Your body needs some TLC and any kind of movement is going to help it rather than avoiding the water altogether. Just spending time in the pool enjoying the element without looking at the pace clock or counting laps should help turn the experience into recreation rather than work. From personal experience this has worked for me through both physical injuries and times of emotional upset.
Go easy and without any specific goal in mind other than to enjoy the water. Let it build you up rather than break you down. In time you're going to feel better and hopefully any kind of trip to the pool will be like good medicine instead of a chore. I bet 30 minutes will fly by and you'll wonder where it went.
Wishing you all the best.
I pretty much only have one favorite event..100 IM. I love being able to swim everything all at the same time!!! Even in practice, anything over 200 meters and I'm running for the hills!!
Thank you all for your advice. I was really giving it some thought last night and I think I am going to cut one day from my swim schedule until I have that "I wish this was a swim day" feeling. I have found that I enjoy walking my dog (she's chubby, so she needs the exercise) and I just can't do both in one day. My knees can't take it. It is so very true that I watch the clock like a hawk and am so frustrated that as I seem like I'm getting slower, but I am wearing myself out with effort!!! ARG!!
I truly appreciate the help. Thank you!! :applaud:
I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry this is happening to you and you'll be in my prayers.
I agree with all the other posts, you've been through a terribly rough year and perhaps your body is just telling you to give it a restorative break.
I hope your urge to swim comes back eventually and you will respond with vitality and strength. :angel:
Jennifer, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time! I have RA too, but luckily, I found out after I had returned to the pool. My doctors say that its the one thing that's keeping it at bay. I don't take methotrexate or ANYthing - partly because I'm an ARNP & I know what those drugs can do to you - not just what they do for you. You pay a price for everything & I'm chicken.
Personally I think there's a time for everything. Says so in the good Book, anyway (a time for sowing, a time for reaping, etc.) - maybe this is the time for you to work on your genealogy! And that's OK! BUT, given what you've been saying, I wonder if you might not be suffering a little bit from depression - you're certainly entitled to a little of that! - one of the key symptoms is when you no longer enjoy activities that you used to find pleasurable. When you say you do a coached workout - does that mean there are team mates in the pool at the same time as you? If not - seek out others to swim with - it might make all the difference in the world.
Best wishes to you. And hang in there.
Hi Jennifer,
Swimming helped keep me balanced when my father passed away. Do whatever you need to get your focus back. Sometimes for fun I join in the aqua exercise class at one of the pools that I swim in. Its a hilarious experience every time.
Just to shake things up I wear one of my pink, or multi-colored pink swim briefs. Makes the other guys nervous, especially when the pink swim brief is accompanied with a pink swim cap and matching pink goggles. Don't get me started on my holiday swim briefs, yup, one for every major holiday.
Anyway, back to you. Cut back on your swimming a little, go easy on yourself. I know I did after I reached 500 miles for USMS Go The Distance this year.
Sign up for the SCM Championship in Belmont, in Long Beach in Nov-Dec, and do the 100 IM, or volunteer as a timer, or lap counter.
I can't keep still, I'm always busy doing something, or helping out someway.
Regards,
