Hi Gang,
So here it is--Fall is upon us, and winter is around the corner. This time of year, when it is dark and gray--and so very cold, I find it difficult to go swim.
Maybe it's the getting wet or the getting cold, but I just lack the motivation to get myself going.
So, if/when you all have days (God forbid weeks) like this, how do you manage to overcome it, and get yourself swimming?
:D Jerrycat
Parents
Former Member
I think it is important to realize your own "resistance" (i.e. those things or times that make you not want to swim) and find ways to manage it. For example, I find the time when I am most reluctant to go swim is the hour right before workout. This is true whether the alarm goes off at 4:15 am for morning workout, or tearing myself away from the office around noon (in fact, the latter is usually harder than the former). I often remind myself of this when I come up against that particular wall, and once I get over it, everything gets much easier. Other things I have noticed is that I prefer to keep breaks from swimming down to a minimum (say one week after the season's "destination swim" rather than a month or two). Maintain a level of condition that lets me keep good mechanics, and occasionally back off of the most challenging interval, and simply play with my stroke. Constantly pushing the aerobic bubble makes me feel like I am pounding my head against a wall, and can burn me out.
Everyone is different, and learning what motivates (or demotivates) you personally is important. For many people, working out with a group of friends at a set time greatly increases the chance they willl stick with an exercise routine. I probably sound like a broken record, but most of us are in this sport for the long term health benefits. Boredom and burn-out are the enemy. Recognize the signs of these in yourself, and act to counter them. I'm willing to trade that last tenth of a second in practice if it keeps me fresh and motivated for tomorrow.
Matt
I think it is important to realize your own "resistance" (i.e. those things or times that make you not want to swim) and find ways to manage it. For example, I find the time when I am most reluctant to go swim is the hour right before workout. This is true whether the alarm goes off at 4:15 am for morning workout, or tearing myself away from the office around noon (in fact, the latter is usually harder than the former). I often remind myself of this when I come up against that particular wall, and once I get over it, everything gets much easier. Other things I have noticed is that I prefer to keep breaks from swimming down to a minimum (say one week after the season's "destination swim" rather than a month or two). Maintain a level of condition that lets me keep good mechanics, and occasionally back off of the most challenging interval, and simply play with my stroke. Constantly pushing the aerobic bubble makes me feel like I am pounding my head against a wall, and can burn me out.
Everyone is different, and learning what motivates (or demotivates) you personally is important. For many people, working out with a group of friends at a set time greatly increases the chance they willl stick with an exercise routine. I probably sound like a broken record, but most of us are in this sport for the long term health benefits. Boredom and burn-out are the enemy. Recognize the signs of these in yourself, and act to counter them. I'm willing to trade that last tenth of a second in practice if it keeps me fresh and motivated for tomorrow.
Matt
