My heart to swim competitively burned out when I was seventeen - though I swam another year (my senior year in high school). Then 33 years later I got back in the pool, and like many others, discovered that I had a renewed passion to compete. That seems in some ways strange to me, so I've been thinking about why I compete. I've reached the conclusion that I really wasn't done when I left the pool at eighteen - rather, I just needed a breather. (That was one huge oxygen debt!) I wonder if one day I'll be done competing, or if this passion is a lifelong one, like the passion for fitness and health that my swimming serves regardless of whether or not I compete.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by Swimmerguy
First I wonder why quite a few quit swimming between 16-19?
Maybe because swimming competetively requires so much time...I burnt out as a teen after a few years of two-a-days, thrice weekly dryland training sessions, "optional" (yeah, right!) Sunday practices, three day meets every month, and so forth. The medals and local press accolades were great, but after I quit I found out how easy it was to stay up late at night and sleep through the morning...
But even as a teen, after I quit, I knew something was missing. I gained twenty pounds and despite sleeping in, I wasn't as energetic. So, middle-aged at 16, I discovered my life needed balance. I tried to return to swimming, but after being "a contender" it was impossible to return on at recreation level. Fortunately I found running and biking, which got me back into shape.
And now, as I revisit middle age at 43, masters swimming helps balance me. I set and work towards goals, stay in shape, socialize with positive people, and get away from work and family responsibilities all in one workout. Pretty good value, I'd say!
Originally posted by Swimmerguy
First I wonder why quite a few quit swimming between 16-19?
Maybe because swimming competetively requires so much time...I burnt out as a teen after a few years of two-a-days, thrice weekly dryland training sessions, "optional" (yeah, right!) Sunday practices, three day meets every month, and so forth. The medals and local press accolades were great, but after I quit I found out how easy it was to stay up late at night and sleep through the morning...
But even as a teen, after I quit, I knew something was missing. I gained twenty pounds and despite sleeping in, I wasn't as energetic. So, middle-aged at 16, I discovered my life needed balance. I tried to return to swimming, but after being "a contender" it was impossible to return on at recreation level. Fortunately I found running and biking, which got me back into shape.
And now, as I revisit middle age at 43, masters swimming helps balance me. I set and work towards goals, stay in shape, socialize with positive people, and get away from work and family responsibilities all in one workout. Pretty good value, I'd say!
