I hate people who skip parts of the workouts. We have swimmers who are bull****ing their workout. and meanwhile Me and a couple of other dedicated swimmers on the team are actually working as hard as we can. and then the people who are skipping workouts, are telling ME that I am doing something wrong. they are beginners, and I have been swimming for 7 yrs. sorry about my tantrum, but I had to tell somebody. what are some of your thoughts on this? thanks!
Former Member
Exactly the point, Laineybug. There are folks out there who are just plain jealous because you are better than they. It's a typical case of "mind games." They just hate it because you are far more mature than they. Tough. They oughta find some other pool to harass guys.
Well, I had my lazy period as a kid. I use to go to the public phone and make calls to a hot line and then go to the bathroom and puts some water on me pretending I went to practice. At that age I was kind of depressed and tired of the swimming.IMy mother stated I should have stayed home since she waited for me in practice when I was 15 years old. I just was on the wrong swim team. My father wanted me to be a better swimmer than I was and with the exception of about 3 other swimmers the majority of 13 and above swimmers on that team were much better swimmers than me. It could be other reasons than just be lazy why these people are not doing workouts.
Originally posted by JC_FLY
I love to push myself, I want to see what i'm capable, and if I get beat, I'll know I have done the best I could. as for the coach, he could care less.
Testing your own limits is very good.
Couple things to keep in mins while testing your limits.... you want to make sure you stay in one piece and uninjured. I was reading just recently, most athletes who reached elite levels have managed to seriously train (on average) 5 years without injuries. (Not 5 years total, but have a 5 year stretch without injuries.)
There's always time to push little bit more, and time to let it go. You never learn where that line is, unless you push. You can push, and be smart about it at the same time!
You can also turn this into an opportunity to practice something else... Not letting what other people think and say get you down too much, as long as you are confident that you are doing what is right for you. (And you sound like you are confident in that). Who knows what other peoples motivations, goals and thoughts are. Let it in one ear and out the other, and remember that those particular individuals are not ones who can give you kudos encouragement or validation for your efforts. But that doesn't mean you're not doing something right. It just means they don't see it, or don't see it the same way you see it.
The first time you realize they are "that way" it's understandable that you are a bit aggrivated, or perhaps disappointed. I mean, with them being on the team, who knew that would be the attitude you'd encounter... It's a bummer!
After that, you kind of know what to expect from them. Either find other, positive ways to interact with them, or limit the interaction. That's about all you can do.
As for the coach who could care less... If that is really the case, that is unfortunate.
I have a sneaky suspicion that maybe isn't entirely the case. Maybe you and the Coach haven't found a good way to tackle that particular topic.
Hey, another opportunity to practice something new... communicating with your coach...
:D
I know, I know, I'm full of it today... advice I mean. ;)
Hey Rick
The same thing applies to getting to a workout late as having to leave early.
Many folks, like myself, do not always have the luxury of getting to a workout on time without ignoring family obligations (like getting the kids off to school), or sometimes not getting out of work early enough (same as you needing to bail out of a practice early for a meeting).
Although I try not to disrupt anyone else's practice, I still want to try to get in whatever workout I can in the time I have. In the end, I have the same problem - when folks leave the lane to get to work, I have to adjust to the remainder of the workout with an emptier lane, without others to push me as hard as I might want to go if they could stay.
And I also occasionally sit out some sets, or work some sets a little differently than what's written. We all have different goals and not every part of the workout appeals to every person on the team. Most of the coaches I have worked with recognize that.
As Dorothy and Tom said, just focus on the things you can control and ignore those things that you can't. As much as I enjoy it, it's just swimming, it's not life and death.
The guilty feelings of showing up late went away long ago, especially since the indugence of swimming is something I'm paying for.
Rich
Speaking as someone who is sometimes prone to getting out early -- get over it.
What bugs me most is people who show up late -- halfway through a workout. In your lane, you end up in a rhythm, knowing where people are and how people are swimming, and then suddenly someone shows up and messes up the balance. It can be aggravating.
As for getting out early, I find that much less reprehensible. I've gotten out early for a number of reasons. Usually, it's because my shoulder has acted up and I need to ice. Sometimes it's because I have a meeting to get to. Sometimes it's because I'm not feeling well, and the energy level just vanishes. I put in plenty of hard work at the front of the lane on lots of days, so I don't feel guilty about jumping out early on occasion.
-Rick