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.
Former Member
The YMCA team I swim with has pretty well gotten the shaft from the YMCA, so I've really had to go it alone lately. And I mean ALONE - the pool I swim at mostly now (Penn State-Harrsiburg) is a lovely facility, but often I have the pool almost entirely to myself. Last Saturday, I did 6500 yards (long, easy technique swim) with absolutely no one else other than the lifeguard even in the pool area. It's often like that. On the other hand, no fighting over lane etiquette, noodlers in the way, or kids jumping on top of me, but still...
-LBJ
I thought the only way to train was by yourself. I was asked to join the local masters team when it got started but my work conflicted with the practices. For the past six years I have gotten the workouts right here. This year the national team has been leaving their workouts posted after they swim so I have been using those as guidelines. It is impossible to make the repeat times or the distances they post so I adjust them as needed.
I have been to a couple of meets. I will miss the SC Championships this weekend because the deadline was missed. I wanted to swim there and see some of the area swimmers and meet some of the members here. I do like the postal swims and plan on entering the 3k championship hopefully next week. The kids got in the way of swimming this week but that is another story.
No doubt on the rare occasion I have someone to swim with it is easier to perform at a higher level and I enjoy that. The other 99 percent of the time I enjoy my private lane, my workout, and no turbulance while knowing I am extending my life with each stroke. That is the plan any way. Now if I could just be a little quicker...
I train alone. In fact, I am the only one in the pool when I work out. It's lonely and very difficult to improve without someone to swim with (or against!). I live two hours away from the closest masters team. I sure wish swimming was more social for me rather than feeling like I am 'doing time' to get top tens.
Short of moving, what can I do to continue to motivate myself? Meets are the only enjoyment lately and if I have a bad meet, I get really down on myself about all the time I spend in the water. Anyone else feeling left out of the loop?
I just got back into swimming about 2-3 months ago. I swim by myself and dont have a coach. I swam my first meet last saturday @ Towson and was content where I was with the little training I have in. I woudnt mind having a coach to point some things out for me.
I get a lot of my practice ideas off here and make some up on my own also.
I would like to have a swimming partner more than a coach. It would make the practices more fun and there would be someone there to push you along.
