I have been swimming almost a year and as I am getting "better" I have been upping my distance and workout frequency.
I have slowly worked my way up to swimming three times a week and the distance is about 1500-2000yds a workout. I mix up intervals and straight swims. Mainly long swims in the summer and intervals in the winter. I think my approach has been rational thus far.
However, my left shoulder has started to bother me. I have made adjustments to my mechanics and as long as I don't let it get out too far from my body I can deal with it. Right now my left arm is really only along for the ride so to speak and I can't really crank on it the way I would like to generate full power.
I have talked with more experienced swimmers who have gone through shoulder issues. I am just working through it and hope it will subside.
What is likely going on in my shoulder? Is it just inflamation? What advice can you give? Should I just work through it at reduced intensity? Any specific workouts in or out of the water to help? I am freestyle only.
Thanks for these comments. I can relate to alot of what you are all saying. I don't have any clicking or popping. I am still managing to train. I am focusing more on a slow warmup and swim mechanics. If I concentrate on form, I can stay away from the pain while swimming. I can cycle the arm without any problem, so I am just reducing the force and concentrating on my kick and efficiency. Fortunately I breathe on the left which I feel is reducing the strain on my left shoulder.
I do have trouble sleeping on my left side. So I must sleep on my right. I cannot sleep on my stomach anymore because of my lower back, so I am running out of ways to sleep!
The bottom line is I am lefty, and I basically wore my shoulder out (and elbow) throwing a baseball and football.
I am not new to sports so I do expect some issues to come up since I am a new swimmer. I certainly had them as a runner!
Thanks.
Thanks for these comments. I can relate to alot of what you are all saying. I don't have any clicking or popping. I am still managing to train. I am focusing more on a slow warmup and swim mechanics. If I concentrate on form, I can stay away from the pain while swimming. I can cycle the arm without any problem, so I am just reducing the force and concentrating on my kick and efficiency. Fortunately I breathe on the left which I feel is reducing the strain on my left shoulder.
I do have trouble sleeping on my left side. So I must sleep on my right. I cannot sleep on my stomach anymore because of my lower back, so I am running out of ways to sleep!
The bottom line is I am lefty, and I basically wore my shoulder out (and elbow) throwing a baseball and football.
I am not new to sports so I do expect some issues to come up since I am a new swimmer. I certainly had them as a runner!
Thanks.
