Mental aspects of training/competition

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Rykno — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:40:03 GMT

do you all feel that your training is maximized when you train alone, or with others? And if "others" is the answer, is it better to train with agemates - or will any age do? (including 12-13 yr olds). I prefer to swim with speed appropriate. age doesn't matter. I'm 36 but the guys that push me most at practice are 24 and 45. if I get permission from my boss to swim saturday mornings I love swimming with the 15-19yrs olds. Not being the fastest in the pool has its advantages. you don't have to lead your lane, and if you do, usually the person in the lane next to you is faster. if I had to practice alone i would most likely only swim half the distance and less often.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:27:56 GMT

I think visualization still is advantageous. To mentally go through the race, the start, how you feel, hitting the turns each time, the last 25, the pain..... certainly helps as if you were almost swimming it. I certainly don't want to be climbing on the blocks and then "oh sh!t", and start thinking about it.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

orca1946 — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:47:13 GMT

If it were not for the team & coach I swim with now, I would be much slower ! They push me farther than I would ever go !!:applaud::applaud:

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

swoomer — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:27:53 GMT

Here's another approach to training for competition. I try to swim as many meets as I can within a season with a taper meet as the goal for the end of the season. In most cases, my times improve with each meet. I don't go into each meet expecting a best time, but rather consider it a form of speed training. By doing this, I can try different pacing strategies, work on starts and turns, gain focus, and practice my events.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:49:05 GMT

I'd just like to note that contrary to popular belief and the earlier posts in this thread, Salo and Riewald (and several other authors) advise against static stretching before a race. Instead, you should perform dynamic stretching (arm rotations, jumping jacks, etc).

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Celestial — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:41:20 GMT

Hey Elaine! Had fun meeting you too this weekend!! I am in serious need of SPEED! I think I forgot how to race! But, these kids will definitely keep me "accountable" as you say. They were very sweet nice girls and didn't even say anything rude like, "what's an old lady like you doing in my lane?"

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Celestial — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:38:49 GMT

Well, I did go ahead and join them. If I had known that they go 10 sec behind (no draft!!) maybe I would have rethought though. . . arms are killing me, but it's the best 4000 I've done in weeks, I think. I hope you all are right, because I had such a humbling meet this past weekend, and I don't want a repeat of it!!

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Elaine Krugman — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:43:54 GMT

Need to revive this thread for one night, ok? Regarding the mental aspects of training - do you all feel that your training is maximized when you train alone, or with others? And if "others" is the answer, is it better to train with agemates - or will any age do? (including 12-13 yr olds). Seriously tempted to join USA Swimming to get a little more challenge than I'm able to give myself alone at 5:30am. Quick Quick - I might join the babies in the morning! Hey Celeste, it was great meeting you this past weekend! I'll look forward to seeing you at Auburn. :banana: From my perspective, I feel I would be getting more out of my training, if I trained with others. The closest team is a 50 minute drive each way at night, so it's much more convenient for me to swim right here at our community pool. And, I prefer training in the mornings for several reasons. But, on the downside, I miss out on all the benefits of training with others. I have trained with my part-time private coach a couple of times over at his pool (SwimFest location) after our coaching session and I can tell you those were the best workouts I have had. Having someone in the next lane pushing me and keeping me accountable is a great motivator! The social aspects of training with others makes it more enjoyable, as well; at least for me. As for age, I wouldn't think it would matter as much ability/speed; being matched up with others of your level, in the same lane. But, having said that, I must say, I really enjoy meeting other gals and guys my age at the swim meets and having more in common with them than, say, a 12 year old! Check in with Swimshark (Alison). She trains with teens and can give you her perspective on it. Have fun! :cheerleader:

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

gdanner — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:42:41 GMT

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Celestial — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:23:07 GMT

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:43:46 GMT

An update on Lacoursiere a very good Marathon swimmer. He is now 76 and has had a heart bypass. By all reports he is feeling good. The past it is 6 years to the day that this thread was brought up. I used to go to a swim meet. There I would be greeted by all kinds of swimmers. Looking in mirrors hypnotizing themselves, others no eye contact they were told by their coaches to think you hate your competition. Some strange goings on. Whenever I saw this I would try to distract them from whatever they were doing. Rejean Lacoursiere used to hypnotize him self before he raced. One time he was at the side of Lake Ontario in a hypnotic trace saying to him self - The Water Is 70 degrees over and over again. I walked up to him took the temperature of the lake it was 52 degrees. I showed him the themometer and said no its 52 degrees. He swam 5 miles of the fifteen mile race and got out.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:51:08 GMT

I would like to add the importance of practicing your races. I am sprinter. I like the metronome example and I wish I could swim an hour long postal and keep the same pace over and over for each hundred, but I am not built that way. I train with people who are, and to me it is crazy. When we sprint in practice, it is a different story. It is as though they have no acceleration, or cannot swim faster than the metronome pace. To me, the importance of practing your races is so you develop the muscle memory and you learn to swim your races. In a sprint, I cannot remember what I think about. In practice, I try to think about that, to work on things I normally wouldn't in a race when on auto pilot, like SDK, breathing, kicking, ect. I suggest sprinting from the blocks too, wearing a swim cap if you do in races, like a true dress rehearsal. Before the race, get your warmups in, get ready, however you do it. Stay warm, stay hydrated and fueled. Swimming is a mental game for sure, but really all sports are. Whether you are in a three-point stance ready to fire off the line to block an inside linebacker, or standing behind the blocks staring down the pool for a 50m free, you need to be mentally prepared to execute the actions and fundamentals you have been committing to memory for some time. Think about your starts, your turns, you competition, and moving those arms. Once you hit the water, I can't recall anything I think about at that time. It's instinct. One can only hope they have prepared the right things. Hope that helps.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:21:38 GMT

I had a spirite that is all I can say. This is how I felt, I was just a happy guy. Here I am in 1966 I used my Mental aspects of training/competition. Sorry the paper is all in French.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:39:52 GMT

I dunno, Iwannafly could take that honor away from you if you're not careful. Paul Yo, Bavaro, when you getting 89 stenciled on your speedos? If TJ is man enough, he's man enough... :weightlifter:

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:50:33 GMT

BLATANT NECRO...oops I used the N word! George...so you thinkshowing the temperature to be 52 degrees was what caused himto drop out.. or just that the water was 52 degrees and too cold for him. We all have limitations. Someone please interrupt my "mantra and mirror staring" session at zones and tell me I am the greatest swimmer ever to not compete as a kid...I might break the minute on 100 FR! Well if you think it is warm it must be warm. I know you are the expert mirror watcher. Once you believe you are the greatest swimmer in the world it has to be true. Or would that be true lies???

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:40:23 GMT

Hey, This guy is really, um, I don't know. BLATANT NECRO...oops I used the N word! You're not related to Swim Spud, or Fontress by any chance are you? Sometimes I wonder if all this (odd/comedic usernames) is not just one person creating mulitple toons just to entertain themself! George...so you thinkshowing the temperature to be 52 degrees was what caused himto drop out.. or just that the water was 52 degrees and too cold for him. We all have limitations. Someone please interrupt my "mantra and mirror staring" session at zones and tell me I am the greatest swimmer ever to not compete as a kid...I might break the minute on 100 FR!

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:14:33 GMT

The past it is 6 years to the day that this thread was brought up. I used to go to a swim meet. There I would be greeted by all kinds of swimmers. Looking in mirrors hypnotizing themselves, others no eye contact they were told by their coaches to think you hate your competition. Some strange goings on. Whenever I saw this I would try to distract them from whatever they were doing. Rejean Lacoursiere used to hypnotize him self before he raced. One time he was at the side of Lake Ontario in a hypnotic trace saying to him self - The Water Is 70 degrees over and over again. I walked up to him took the temperature of the lake it was 52 degrees. I showed him the themometer and said no its 52 degrees. He swam 5 miles of the fifteen mile race and got out.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

That Guy — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:59:54 GMT

Hey, This guy is really, um, I don't know. Wait, what?

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

pwolf66 — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:29:38 GMT

Someone please interrupt my "mantra and mirror staring" session at zones and tell me I am the greatest swimmer ever to not compete as a kid...I might break the minute on 100 FR! I dunno, Iwannafly could take that honor away from you if you're not careful. Paul

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:24:39 GMT

Odds to the Past. Think too much mentally, prepare mentally, hate the other swimmers, stretch too much, lose the race.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Chris Stevenson — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:18:02 GMT

Odds to the Past. Think too much mentally, prepare mentally, hate the other swimmers, stretch too much, lose the race. George, I've squinted and looked at this sideways and I still don't get it...can you explain? (Or is it a Yoda thing?)

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Iwannafly — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:03:09 GMT

Yo, Bavaro, when you getting 89 stenciled on your speedos? If TJ is man enough, he's man enough... :weightlifter: Just because my wife questions my manliness doesn't mean you can question it:doh:!?!?!? And I have a question. If I'm kind of limited on the mental capacity anyway (read, I'm sharp like a bowling ball), does it really matter how I prepare mentally for a race? I may not be the best swimmer with no childhood swimming experience, but I'm damn funny! Can I say that?

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:37:57 GMT

Hey, This guy is really, um, I don't know.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Former Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2002 08:42:35 GMT

I am commenting this general post with my personal insight. Originally posted by Paul Smith ... Race Prep: I think this is the area that stumps a lot of people, the truth is that winning races is usually not decided by who is in the best shape, but rather who is the better prepared mentally. ... My impression is that the most power one can summon in competition with good taper and visualization is the maximum physical conditioning one has built in training because there is not much surpassing available. (The same comment is made by P.H. Mullen in the book "Gold in the Water" about the 2000 Olympics). Originally posted by Paul Smith ... The reason that I brought it up was that I hear quite a few people talk about their workouts, but when we start going to meets all to often all the great training gets "lost" and people "choke". ... In my experience I see faster racers than me who train on the same intervals as I do, 1:15 pace per 100 yards; I think they are underachieving now in workouts in comparison with what peak swimming aerobic they have developed as teenagers; I as a post-teenager starter I overachieve in workouts to force an already formed body to perform at the same level: it's like in cars asking an already built Chevrolet to perform with a Ferrari, by small improvements in tedious tune-up. Originally posted by Paul Smith ...Day in day out "motivation". What is it that keeps people getting up and hitting the pool at all hours in all conditions abusing themselves?! For me I have three things that keep me focused: Health/fitness, friendships & meets. For me is the inner power that cultivates a sense of conqueror's adventure.

RE: Mental aspects of training/competition

Paul Smith — Thu, 07 Feb 2002 05:44:15 GMT

Ian, Having been on the road for some time I have'nt had any time to get involved on this topic (which I touched on in the previous forum). The reason that I brought it up was that I hear quite a few people talk about their workouts, but when we start going to meets all to often all the great training gets "lost" and people "choke". I look at mental training in two ways: 1) Day in day out "motivation". What is it that keeps people getting up and hitting the pool at all hours in all conditions abusing themselves?! For me I have three things that keep me focused: Health/fitness, friendships & meets. 2) Race Prep: I think this is the area that stumps a lot of people, the truth is that winning races is usually not decided by who is in the best shape, but rather who is the better prepared mentally. The sad part is that there is no tried & true formula! What works for one person may be terrible for the next (I need to relax, visualize and get myself quietly worked up, my wife is bouncing off the walls and usually driving me crazy!). I thought Bert actually summed it up very well. Bottom line if you want to be good at racing is to get out and swim as many meets as you can, experiment and find what works for you!