I'm starting two-a-day practices in a desparate attempt to get ready for Nationals. So I'm swimming 3 times a week, twice a day, running and light weights the other two days, and resting on weekends.
Any ideas for making the transition from swimming just 3 times a week to this new schedule easier? My muscles are screaming right now!! :help:
but by the time 4 rolls around, I'm usually wiped. Problem is evening practice doesn't start until 6:30. I have a terrible time motivating myself to go and when I do I usually swim like s**t. Is it worth dragging myself to the pool to swim like crap and further exhaust myself, or should I wait a few weeks and try to add it in slowly (I workout 5 days a week right now, three in the pool)?
I'm almost always somewhat tired too, especially at 4:00 pm or so. Poolraat's suggestion is good. I liked napping in college. I can't do it now though. Get the 8 hours consecutively if you can. Make sure your nutrition is right. How long have you been tired? What do college kids eat these days?
Otherwise, ignore it.
Don't give in to tiredness and skip practice, especially if you're only swimming 3x a week. The secret to getting good in masters swimming is learning how to mentally handle fatigue and tough practices along with daily life. When you are tempted to skip out, think about your goals, like going to nationals. And think to yourself, if I skip practice, can I get to that goal? It's generally better to try to exercise through colds or fatigue as long as it's not severe. Once you skip practice or let down, it's easier to keep doing it. If you fight this urge, you'll usually feel better for having done the workout and eventually the fatigue will go away and you'll feel better anyway. Not that it won't return. But a little mental discipline goes a long way.
Having said that, I will now admit that I am really tired from getting up early and I am only going to swim an hour tonight easy by myself during American Idol. But at least I'm dragging myself to the pool. I think I'll work on streamlining and breaststroke. ;)
but by the time 4 rolls around, I'm usually wiped. Problem is evening practice doesn't start until 6:30. I have a terrible time motivating myself to go and when I do I usually swim like s**t. Is it worth dragging myself to the pool to swim like crap and further exhaust myself, or should I wait a few weeks and try to add it in slowly (I workout 5 days a week right now, three in the pool)?
I'm almost always somewhat tired too, especially at 4:00 pm or so. Poolraat's suggestion is good. I liked napping in college. I can't do it now though. Get the 8 hours consecutively if you can. Make sure your nutrition is right. How long have you been tired? What do college kids eat these days?
Otherwise, ignore it.
Don't give in to tiredness and skip practice, especially if you're only swimming 3x a week. The secret to getting good in masters swimming is learning how to mentally handle fatigue and tough practices along with daily life. When you are tempted to skip out, think about your goals, like going to nationals. And think to yourself, if I skip practice, can I get to that goal? It's generally better to try to exercise through colds or fatigue as long as it's not severe. Once you skip practice or let down, it's easier to keep doing it. If you fight this urge, you'll usually feel better for having done the workout and eventually the fatigue will go away and you'll feel better anyway. Not that it won't return. But a little mental discipline goes a long way.
Having said that, I will now admit that I am really tired from getting up early and I am only going to swim an hour tonight easy by myself during American Idol. But at least I'm dragging myself to the pool. I think I'll work on streamlining and breaststroke. ;)
