Seems I’ve lost my mojo. Can’t decide the cause (winter blah’s, hot training water, demoralizing training group, chronic injuries, what?) so it’s hard to know how to fight back. I don’t feel depressed, but when I get in the pool, I’m acting depressed. It’s like I’m afraid to get out of breath – or like I’m just not interested in working that hard any more. All of a sudden it’s a struggle to go to the gym. In fact, this morning, I didn’t. I have a great excuse, with “frozen shoulder” (how does that happen to a swimmer?) so upper body weight lifting is OUT for a while, but I could go and work on abs and legs. But instead I slept in. I even scratched a meet this month. Haven’t done that in a while; I’ve scratched events, but not an entire meet. Anybody have any great ideas on how to get that spark back? So I’m excited for the race again? Excited to “get after it”?
Thanks in advance!
To break out of stagnation, I've been trying USRPT for this training cycle. I don't claim to know where it's headed, but it's been interesting and the quality and intensity of my practices has gone way up.
Are you having fun???? If not ,then find another sport/hobby to do for a while. I always have a let down in the middle of the S C season - winter in Chicagoland -dark in the morn. & evening. Go back to trying to enjoy the feeling of being in the water not to train for times , but to relax. Jerks in your lane ??? - find another lane.
I always find it best to look at the calendar, find a meet that you've had positive results at in the past and reset your goals to attend this meet envisioning great results. Another idea is to find a workout partner, even if its online, and have them help pull you through some of the monotony.
Everyone goes through cycles of motivation.All the tips so far are good.It's fine to take some time off from swimming.If you do you will probably begin to miss it and then you'll be back.Another thing you may do is pick a meet and enter events you never swim.You'll be guaranteed to get PBs and it may take the pressure off.Also consider doing only 3 or so events and spend most of the meet socializing.
Perhaps train for a different event or events? Maybe even take a break from competitive swimming and do something completely different for a while. The pool will always be there.
Seems I’ve lost my mojo. Can’t decide the cause (winter blah’s, hot training water, demoralizing training group, chronic injuries, what?) so it’s hard to know how to fight back. I don’t feel depressed, but when I get in the pool, I’m acting depressed. It’s like I’m afraid to get out of breath – or like I’m just not interested in working that hard any more. All of a sudden it’s a struggle to go to the gym. In fact, this morning, I didn’t. I have a great excuse, with “frozen shoulder” (how does that happen to a swimmer?) so upper body weight lifting is OUT for a while, but I could go and work on abs and legs. But instead I slept in. I even scratched a meet this month. Haven’t done that in a while; I’ve scratched events, but not an entire meet. Anybody have any great ideas on how to get that spark back? So I’m excited for the race again? Excited to “get after it”?
Thanks in advance!
I think the first thing I'd say is: cut yourself some slack for the things you've not done, and give yourself permission not to do them. It's not your career. It's a hobby, and if you're not enjoying it, take a step back. You'll feel much better if going is a positive choice.
That said, you probably still want to stay fit. Consider trying something different for a while to stay active.
I'd also recommend reminding yourself what you love about swimming. Take some time to list it out on paper. You'll probably a) be surprised about how much is there and b) how you'd forgotten or started taking some of them for granted.
Focus only on those things, at least for a while. Forget goals, times, yardage, structure.... Do it for the love of it, or don't..
I'd also reiterate what That Guy suggests about trying something new, whether USRPT or something else, as a pure experiment and because it's potentially interesting, not necessarily because it might lead to something longer term.
Have you ever swum with kids in a USAS team? I love my masters team but from an energy perspective there is nothing like being around kids who love swimming; it's also infectious. It was quite intimidating the first few times I trained with the kids and even more intimidating when I competed against the kids but it's really great fun and gives you a whole new perspective on why swimming is important to you. I unfortunately don't get to train with the kids regularly but every opportunity I get, I take.
Another thought would be to get involved in coaching either USMS or USAS. You can still swim but again this will give you other perspective and reason to fall in love with swimming again.
There are some great suggestions here! Hope you're able to get it back soon. Sleep will definitely help. Maybe a massage. Oh and yes, buying a new suit can certainly help too (love that idea!)
I'd like to add one thing that may be peripheral to all of this. I've seen some of your blogs and posts. Celestial, you're an inspiration to me. I draw off your energy that you've portrayed in the past. SOmetimes knowing someone out there is watching, learning, getting inspired, will help you get back to what makes you excited again. Your enthusiasm for the sport shows whether it's showing in the pool or not. Stay engaged a bit. Maybe go back to some of your old posts and see where you had fun?
