Shoulder surgery has kept me out of the pool for five months. I now have the go-ahead from my doc to start swimming, but I'm afraid I've lost my sewing mojo. There was a point not long ago when I couldn't wait to get back into the pool, but for some reason it seems like I'm starting all over again. When I had to stop, I was swimming a mile several times a week (for me that's a lot), but now I'm thinking I'll be good to make it one lap. I also had a bad onset of vertigo recently and I'm worried that it might come back when I swim. Though I think it was swimming that kept it from happening for so long.
If anyone has been through a long layoff, I'd like to hear how you motivated yourself to get back to the pool.
After my 6 year break I:
- Registered for a meet 3 months out in a totally unusual event for me. I picked 400 IM because practicing for it would work endurance and hit all the strokes. I did better than I thought I would with only 3 months but it wasn't easy seeing slow progress. I'm REALLY glad I picked an off event so there would be no expectations in my head for time.
- Use the coached workouts here for a bit if you don't have the confidence to get back with a team. Tackle them at your pace with the breaks you need and focus on form.
- Get a new fun swim toy you've been wanting or reward yourself with one. Swim MP3 player was my "I'm getting back and doing this!" toy.
After my 6 year break I:
- Registered for a meet 3 months out in a totally unusual event for me. I picked 400 IM because practicing for it would work endurance and hit all the strokes. I did better than I thought I would with only 3 months but it wasn't easy seeing slow progress. I'm REALLY glad I picked an off event so there would be no expectations in my head for time.
- Use the coached workouts here for a bit if you don't have the confidence to get back with a team. Tackle them at your pace with the breaks you need and focus on form.
- Get a new fun swim toy you've been wanting or reward yourself with one. Swim MP3 player was my "I'm getting back and doing this!" toy.
