I spent a good portion of my life training under a coach (a very wonderful coach). Now I'm kinda off on my own because at the moment I've got other priorities. I don't get a lot of training in, but I'm hoping to get in more. But right now I feel good not having some one tell me what to do, or stand over me shouting to go faster. Of course I think it would improve my speed and form and such, but right now is just not the time.
If I did decide to get a coach, I think I'd actually go back to my old coach, because I think he's pretty amazing and I like his attitude. For now I've been told I'm allowed to leech off his workouts (join the team's workouts but in another lane) since I just don't have the time to devote to being on the team. It's a USA team, not masters, so he's got an attendence requirement.
Anybody else training on their own? And if you do, do you still go to competitions? I'd definately be comfortable going to competitions without a coach, and unnattached.
Parents
Former Member
I train on my own, too. I would like to train with a team, though. I just haven't found one yet. I think the competition would benefit me. Also I am desperate for someone to take a look at my stroke and give me some tips on where to improve. Looking at a video of my own stroke won't help me much as I might not even recognise any flaws. I need a proper coach to do that.
Despite this, I have been training on my own for some six months now (after a 24 year abcence) and in that short period, I have managed to equal some of the times I was doing when I last swam competitively. So in one sense I am satisfied. However, I am not sure if I have reached the limit of where I can go on my own. Time will tell. I still have a lot, that I know, I can improve on.
I do think if you had good coaches as a kid and your stroke is 90% good, then you should be okay on your own. But perhaps, if you are a late starter, or have serious stroke problems, then it would be better to get a coach.
What keeps me going on my own? Well, I have no motivation problems. In fact, my biggest problem at the moment is trying to convince myself that I should, at least, rest one day a week. I just love swimming. And I love swimming fast even better. Because I have no lanemates, the clock is the only means I have of measuring my progress, or lack of it. So, everyday, I will try to do at least one event at race pace. Also, I have this imaginary competitor in the lane next to me. This person is always one stroke ahead of me and you have no idea how much this inspires me to swim harder.
sincerely Syd
I train on my own, too. I would like to train with a team, though. I just haven't found one yet. I think the competition would benefit me. Also I am desperate for someone to take a look at my stroke and give me some tips on where to improve. Looking at a video of my own stroke won't help me much as I might not even recognise any flaws. I need a proper coach to do that.
Despite this, I have been training on my own for some six months now (after a 24 year abcence) and in that short period, I have managed to equal some of the times I was doing when I last swam competitively. So in one sense I am satisfied. However, I am not sure if I have reached the limit of where I can go on my own. Time will tell. I still have a lot, that I know, I can improve on.
I do think if you had good coaches as a kid and your stroke is 90% good, then you should be okay on your own. But perhaps, if you are a late starter, or have serious stroke problems, then it would be better to get a coach.
What keeps me going on my own? Well, I have no motivation problems. In fact, my biggest problem at the moment is trying to convince myself that I should, at least, rest one day a week. I just love swimming. And I love swimming fast even better. Because I have no lanemates, the clock is the only means I have of measuring my progress, or lack of it. So, everyday, I will try to do at least one event at race pace. Also, I have this imaginary competitor in the lane next to me. This person is always one stroke ahead of me and you have no idea how much this inspires me to swim harder.
sincerely Syd
