The new Master's coach philosophy is to do lower yardage and more IM. Lots of kicks (strengthen the core), lots of drills, and lots of toys (snorkel, skull finger paddles, regular paddles, zoomers, regular fins, *** stoke fins, finis tempo trainer, light weight kick board...) (disclaimer...I have not bought any of this stuff, just have the normal toys). I am in my 60's, have swum forever, many years in masters, raised age-group kids through college swimming, and am very confused.
I am used to 10 x 100 or 5 x 200's or couple 500's, IM once in a while, option to swim IM or free, kicks as a set in a workout, you know what I'm talkin' bout.
Now I am exhausted doing 90 minutes of kicks and sprints and only going 2000 yards. Flipping at the end of every set, using weight balls in the water, doing 6 x 100 *** stroke kick no hands, doing tandem training, example: swimming arm in arm with the other 60 year old doing fly kicks then holding his legs while I kick and he strokes, then vise versa. Now it is not always exhausting, but it seems always to be frustrating.
Working hard is not the problem, but working hard doing fly kicks in 50 meter pools is frustrating. And my distance flog is suffering. Not just 4 x 50 fly kicks, but 10 x 50 fly kicks.
It has been 4 months with new coach. Others say that they workouts are making them stronger for races and allowing them to be tougher. I worry about hurting my back, my shoulders, and not getting in my yardage.
Fitness swimming should be challenging and fun; I am a wimp? Should I give it more time? I like my team!
I don't know your coach or his/her philosophy, but being new to the team, it may take some time for him/her to adjust to the needs of the swimmers. What is for sure is that two of the most important traits to look for in a coach are respect and trust. That means the coach needs to respect and trust in you and your needs as a swimmer and he/she needs to engender respect and trust from you through good communication of his/her philosophy, by adjusting that philosophy according to the level of the swimmers on the team and by ultimately showing results (whether those results are swimming satisfaction, an enjoyable team atmosphere or improvement in times). If you are feeling frustrated and your swimming does not seem to be improving, but you love being part of the team, you might want to consider speaking to the coach and communicating your hesitation. Your swimming happiness and your health in terms of steering clear of injuries are the number one priorities!
I don't know your coach or his/her philosophy, but being new to the team, it may take some time for him/her to adjust to the needs of the swimmers. What is for sure is that two of the most important traits to look for in a coach are respect and trust. That means the coach needs to respect and trust in you and your needs as a swimmer and he/she needs to engender respect and trust from you through good communication of his/her philosophy, by adjusting that philosophy according to the level of the swimmers on the team and by ultimately showing results (whether those results are swimming satisfaction, an enjoyable team atmosphere or improvement in times). If you are feeling frustrated and your swimming does not seem to be improving, but you love being part of the team, you might want to consider speaking to the coach and communicating your hesitation. Your swimming happiness and your health in terms of steering clear of injuries are the number one priorities!
