Hardest time of the year to train!

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:06:02 GMT

one of my favorite quotes is "Being nervous is a sign that something great is about to happen" I try to remember that each time I am standing on deck. Good luck with your meet, have fun. My team swims alot of SCY meets in the winter, so everyone on our team is pretty motivated currently. I am out with a newly dx rotator cuff tendonitis - I start PT tomorrow, so motivation is for small goals, one just to get back in the water. I am really motivated to work diligently but carefully, my big goal is to swim a April meet and if not that then a July meet. I will never take health for granted again. And I agree swimming to burn off the holiday calories was always a big motivator. The winter darkness in the am and pm is the biggest hurdle for me - just makes you feel tired. :snore:

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:55:44 GMT

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:51:47 GMT

It must have been in the 40's last night when I went to swim. I had never seen so much steam coming off the water. The steam combined with the senior age groupers doing sprint sets made for a very photogenic pool. The photographer in me wanted to go home and grab a camera but the athlete in me said to take your damn clothes off and get in the friggin water! I got in the water and busted out a rather quick but better than nothing workout.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

swimr4life — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:27:28 GMT

Beth: You'll do great. Everyone needs a starting point. Remember, IslandSox says you can't taper enough. So maybe you'll be well rested. Good luck!!! :) P.S. Try not to worry too much about being tired or getting enough sleep. I never get enough before meets. With a good warm up and a little nervousness, you'll still do fine. Nervousness does wonders for your sprinting! I hope to workout pretty hard this week then back off next week. We'll see how it goes. I'm starting to get excited.:banana: Thanks again for the encouragement.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

poolraat — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:38:20 GMT

These last few morinings here have seen temps near zero and snow. Makes it real hard to get out and go swim. I'll skip the morning swim and go to work early with the hope that I can slip out a bit early at lunchtime and do my workout then. This will be the case until mid February when the weather begins to warm up a bit. BTW It's not like this all the time. These cold periods come for a few days to a week then it will warm up for a few days and so on. Right now it's 2 pm and the temp is 17.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:50:09 GMT

This is actually the easiest time of year for me to get to the pool ... to actually swim. I do some swim administration for both my team (USAS & USMS) and also for the LSC, state swim association and a little for the LMSC. The "downtime" parts of the season in April and September when there are no meets is actually the busiest for me as there are all sorts of clinics, parent meetings, conventions, LSC meetings, new time standards to calculate/publish, and new swimmers joining the team to register and get started. In October/November and May/June all the teams are releasing their meet information for the rest of the season. In February/March, July/August there are the big meets with results to post and a lot of new team records and other achievement awards to process. My team also hosts meets usually November, April, and June which each usually take up about 40hrs of my time. At work I develop software. We put "freezes" on new s/w installs in December and most budgets run out by the end of the year, so most development is planned to complete before Thanksgiving and we don't get full speed on new projects until mid-January. That means no overtime and opportunities to take a few days off here and there. Plus, my company gives a long holiday break between Christmas and New Years. The only downside is that the public high schools in Texas mandate a 5-day shutdown of school athletic facilities ... which means our pool is closed Dec 21-25. I do have a health club membership ... yuck, 20y sloshy unpredictable temp/chemicals/crowding/etc pool ... I suppose I could tough it out ...

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:00:44 GMT

This can be a difficult time of year to train and stay motivated. One thing you might want to do is find a swim meet in Dec. and use that as a motivation as your big mid season meet where you taper. This might help you stay focused in the pool, keep ya motivated and keep ya from over eating all the yummy holiday foods and beverages. I just started my taper for my big meet coming up in two weeks. I feel busting my @$$ from Aug until May for Nationals is just way to long. Its good to have a mid season taper, for me anyways. I am sure some will argue that one taper is enough. I like the mid season taper because then it propels me into January where I once again to tear my body down until May. greg

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:05:59 GMT

I kind of used the idea that I could eat quite guilt free knowing that I'd be in the pool again to work it off. Then again I only do a mile 3x a week...I see others racking up a lot more distance... My way of dealing with cold (at the pool) is to have a hot shower and gradually reduce the shower temp until it's about taking my breath away...after this getting in to the pool area feels heavenly. I also start my workout week on Monday night and after a drumming lesson. I swear this is a big factor because I am out of the house already. So it's easy to go to the Y, and then I've done the "first" of my weekly workouts so I am already amped to do the other 2. Afterwards...a hot shower is a great reward before going out to the cold air...

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Jim Clemmons — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 12:21:25 GMT

I think you just have to ignore the negative feelings as best that you can. They'll go away - in the Spring! The other thought I have is that most people struggling with motivation just don't have GOALS. The goals will keep you involved during the challenging times.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

The Fortress — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:58:31 GMT

I like the mid season taper because then it propels me into January where I once again to tear my body down until May. Beth: It is hard for me to train now too. I'm distracted. Also, since we both have sore shoulders, swim meets are not ideal and it's not real fun (or maybe advisable) to train hard with pain. I'm looking forward to scapular stabilization and a lot of drills in December and then, hopefully, "tearing my body down until May" in the pool when then another mental/physical break will be needed. Hang in there! :)

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

poolraat — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:01:54 GMT

I agree!! For me it is very difficult to train this time of year. Our pool closes in December for maintenance and cleaning and I swim at a motel pool that is too short and too hot. And then because of all the good stuff around the house, I overeat and feel awful when I do get in the pool.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 10:15:08 GMT

p.s. BTW: I really like your avatar nkfrench! Is that a traffic sign you came across while driving?....Or did you find it somewhere else? I, uh, "leveraged" the image off the internet. Thought it was funny and I am a LOTR fan.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 10:02:34 GMT

My problem is that in December school holidays (summer holidays, two months long) start and my local pool will become somewhat empty and I will be swimming alone with all those lanes beside me. All those noisy kids and their noisy mothers will be gone, I will miss them so much. Plus in January I go to the beach for two weeks and miss my regular swimming schedule. I can only swim in the crystal clear warm waters of the ocean, but all that water keeping me floating, makes it take longer for me to tire out. Walking ten miles barefoot on the beach isn't that bad either. Well, so long from the Southern Hemisphere. Warmest regards, billy fanstone

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

swimr4life — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:13:54 GMT

Rich, That is so true! I do love to eat all the wonderful food this time of the year and not worry too much about my weight because I know I'll burn off the calories in the pool! Thanks for that reminder!

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

m2tall2 — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 08:31:16 GMT

Since I'm just recently (this past summer) getting back into this swimming thing and having only taken three years off since college I find that I'm more excited and it's easier for me to swim this time of year. Historically for me this time of year has meant getting into some serious heavy yardage with "Hell Week" coming during winter break. My biggest meet of the year was usually in February, March, or April and a huge emphasis was put on the winter season. That combined with being from New England means I don't feel like it's truly swimming weather unless any amounts of excess water on my body or in my swim bag immediately freezes upon leaving the pool area. I actually find it harder to swim in the summer since most pools decent for swimming are indoors so I have to drag myself inside during the 2 months of the year where it's enjoyable to bike, walk, rollerblade, etc. I wish I could help you out but I guess my point with this post was maybe knowing that others are hyper-motivated this time of year will help if you're a very competitive person.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 07:37:56 GMT

Wow! I feel like such a whiner now. I swim INDOORS and it is cold for me the first 800-100 yds of practice! :notworthy: Well, cold is relative to the climate in which you live. Cold around here has been in the 40's and 50's when the sun goes down...in the 30's in the pre-sunrise hours but nobody is swimming here then. To me, it's tough to get into the pool when it's 48 degrees and I'm shivering. Having said that, I never make a scene about it. I just walk straight from the locker room or the bleachers and jump right in. During the summer I will hang on the gutter for a moment and adjust my goggles, check out the scenery, etc.. but now that it's cold I don't even push off the wall. I jump in, surface, and start stroking away trying to build some heat from within!

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 06:51:28 GMT

I need to stay away from the egg nog as well! quote] WHAT? Egg-nog is the true swimmer's holiday beverage of choice. Great for that pre-workout snack...and for a more nautical theme.. add some Captain Morgan... or if you can find it...Lamb's Navy Rum...:groovy:

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 06:42:44 GMT

Plus, my company gives a long holiday break between Christmas and New Years. posted by nkfrench I also have a lot of free time over the holidays because I am in the academic field and we get over a month of vacation time over the holidays. I do have trouble controlling my food intake though!! I am going to have to try and really focus on controlling my urge to scarf down everything in sight. I felt like I did a pretty good job over Thanksgiving (compared to previous years).....I need to stay away from the egg nog as well! Newmastersswimmer p.s. BTW: I really like your avatar nkfrench! Is that a traffic sign you came across while driving?....Or did you find it somewhere else?

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

Former Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 06:32:55 GMT

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

poolraat — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:48:06 GMT

.... in January I go to the beach for two weeks and miss my regular swimming schedule. I can only swim in the crystal clear warm waters of the ocean, but all that water keeping me floating, makes it take longer for me to tire out. Walking ten miles barefoot on the beach isn't that bad either. Well, so long from the Southern Hemisphere. Warmest regards, billy fanstone You are making me jealous. My dryland today was shoveling my driveway and walks of about 2" of snow before going to work.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

poolraat — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 04:31:44 GMT

... add some Captain Morgan... or if you can find it...Lamb's Navy Rum...:groovy: Why ruin good rum with eggnog? Aargh!

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

The Fortress — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:45:02 GMT

. I have a meet next weekend and I'm trying to get excited about it...I'm very nervous! It's my first big meet in a year and a half. I'm just going to do the best I can and try to look at it as a starting point to measure from. Easier said than done......I'm kind of competitive! :cool: Beth: You'll do great. Everyone needs a starting point. Remember, IslandSox says you can't taper enough. So maybe you'll be well rested. Good luck!!! :) P.S. Try not to worry too much about being tired or getting enough sleep. I never get enough before meets. With a good warm up and a little nervousness, you'll still do fine.

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

swimr4life — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:32:52 GMT

Beth: It is hard for me to train now too. I'm distracted. Also, since we both have sore shoulders, swim meets are not ideal and it's not real fun (or maybe advisable) to train hard with pain. I'm looking forward to scapular stabilization and a lot of drills in December and then, hopefully, "tearing my body down until May" in the pool when then another mental/physical break will be needed. Hang in there! :) Thanks for the encouragement. I am trying to keep swimming despite my achy shoulder, neck, back! I swam today and did my shoulder exercises like a good girl. I'm heading for the ice and Advil. I have a meet next weekend and I'm trying to get excited about it...I'm very nervous! It's my first big meet in a year and a half. I haven't been able to compete due to my mom's illnesses/operations. We'll see how I do. I'm just going to do the best I can and try to look at it as a starting point to measure from. Easier said than done......I'm kind of competitive! :cool:

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

swimr4life — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:26:52 GMT

The cold weather certainly has an impact on my desire to swim in our outdoor pool at night. It's fine once you get going but from the time you disrobe until your first few laps are complete, it's downright frigid. Wow! I feel like such a whiner now. I swim INDOORS and it is cold for me the first 800-100 yds of practice! :notworthy:

RE: Hardest time of the year to train!

knelson — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 01:26:40 GMT

The weather in Seattle this month has been my biggest training obstacle! All the rain has caused quite a bit of traffic gridlock making it difficult for me to get to practice after work. Yesterday we got quite a bit of snow right during the evening commute. I actually started to the pool, but aborted after realizing it would take forever. The city does not do well when it snows. Kind of interesting when you consider the Cascade mountains get the most snow of anywhere in the U.S. We just don't get much snow at sea level.