Hi,
I know that this is going to sound kind of weird, but here goes.I currently swim/train on my own.I swim 4 times a week doing 2000/2500 metres a session.However, I have noticed that although I have introduced drills into my training programme,I feel that I am not really progressing as much as I should with the amount of training that I am doing.I am very seriously considering joining my local Masters club at Beckenham,in the UK.My question is this.What kind of drills would a Masters club do?Would they help me work on my stroke length?Would I be able to see a significant improvement in my swimming to make the committment worthwhile?Also I am scared that I will not be as good a swimmer as most of the others and that I will lag behind and look stupid.How do I overcome all of these negative emotions going through my head?
Former Member
hi ya- i'm still kinda new to masters swimming but i would suggest that you just go ahead and join. i first learned about masters whilst living in london but was afraid to join because i thought that i wasn't "good enough." that was 5 years ago! i've since started here in s. florida (joining was the hard part!) and i'm finding it to be a big challenge, but definitely worth it! i imagine that your local group will do a variety of workouts, based upon the swimmers' abilities and the coach will work with your on your technique, etc. i wouldn't worry about whether you're a good enough swimmer- i'm sure that there will be slower swimmers than you (and probably those much faster than you, as well). whether it will be worth the committment- that's up to you! you'll only get out of it what you put into it!
good luck!
I was swimming just like you about 3 times a week, about the same distance, and also getting nowhere. Then I finally joined a local masters group this month (June). I have worked out with them only 7 times ( 3 times a week) and have already improved my freestyle stroke mechanics so much that its almost a complete revision. I'm getting more distance per stroke and enjoying the company and coaching. I'm a slow swimmer who never was part of a competitive swimming program before, but I feel at home with the group. Slow swimmers swim in different lanes from the competitive swimmers. If it's too crowded then you could be in a lane with a fast swimmer and they will just swim around you. Join up, it's great fun and a better workout at about the same distance or less than you are already doing.
JT
Mark,
It's so easy to let negativity overtake thought processes. When you think about fear, it really is the one thing in life that holds people back--from taking risks, from accomplishing simple tasks, to taking the first steps towards lifelong dreams. Ask yourself--would I be happier staying in the same realm, safe, where I know I won't fail? Or, would it be better to reach out, try something new, and have discovery along the way? It seems that if you stay in the same realm, unhappiness is really going to set in, as you would like to go to the next level in swimming. So, satisfy your instincts to "reach out", and go to the next level...go to a swim practice and check it out. You might really be surprised, and feel encouraged to jump in the pool right then and there. Having faith is the key.
As for me--I'm going to compete in a meet this July--after only being back into swimming for 6 weeks after a 10 year leave! I told my husband that I might come in last. He said "who cares!" The main thing is to have a good time, learn along the way, and to get off the sidelines. And that's right, as one could very easily watch life, rather than participate in it ;)
Good luck,
Jerrycat
JTee/Jerrycat,
Thanks for your encouragement.I actually went along on Monday evening to check out what drills and stuff that they did.It seems that you can concentrate on particular aspects and the coach will let you practice until you are happy.As you both said "nothing ventured nothing gained".Once again thanks for the positive encouragement,it means a lt to me.
