Hi. :help:
Was just wondering how you handle practicing by yourself. My team only practices two times a week and that is obviously not enough time in the water to improve. At practice, we do anywhere between 3,200 and 3,800... and I usually do the same when I swim by myself (right now I'm getting in two solo practices, but I'd like to do more). Usually the USS team or High School is practicing at the same time and that sorta helps get me moving. But how do you guys motivate yourself to keep going - because weekly I am starting to ask myself - "why am I doing this"... when I'm trudging along solo. I do compete and love it... but I just get down and in the gutters once in a while. I usually get my workouts from the "workout forum" here on the site... but do you have any thoughts on how to get more motivated? I hope I don't sound desperate, but just need some feedback from those who are going thru the same thing.
Parents
Former Member
I swam solo before joining back up with masters.
Did mostly what all the others listed here -
Had specific practice (intervals, sets, feel of the water, and distance) goals and meet goals; threw in some travel meets just to have something extra special to look forward to; looked at Top 10s and goals
Had goals within goals @ practices - like not allow the person next to me beat me even though he/ she was swimming 1 lap and I was doing a set of 500s
Jumped in with the High School or USS for a whole practice or just a set or two
Would race practically anyone - from the HS Coaches to other lap swimmers to kids to the lifeguards to swim instructors to other masters swimmers (and would give "handicaps" to those who perhaps weren't at my level) - mostly I had people want to race me although I did persuade one of the HS coaches to do a set of 10x100 IM on 1:30 w/ me - that was great fun!
I made up the practice before I got to the pool and I'd stick to it no matter what
Made sure to have intervals rather than x seconds rest as it's harder to push yourself w/out fellow swimmers
Would always help out swimmers/ people who had questions on technique, strokes (this would be fun and break up my practice for me - in a good way and between sets only)
Got to know just about everyone at the pools and their goals - do an ironman; recovering from hip replacements; retired judge getting back into shape; masters mom; so on
I swam solo before joining back up with masters.
Did mostly what all the others listed here -
Had specific practice (intervals, sets, feel of the water, and distance) goals and meet goals; threw in some travel meets just to have something extra special to look forward to; looked at Top 10s and goals
Had goals within goals @ practices - like not allow the person next to me beat me even though he/ she was swimming 1 lap and I was doing a set of 500s
Jumped in with the High School or USS for a whole practice or just a set or two
Would race practically anyone - from the HS Coaches to other lap swimmers to kids to the lifeguards to swim instructors to other masters swimmers (and would give "handicaps" to those who perhaps weren't at my level) - mostly I had people want to race me although I did persuade one of the HS coaches to do a set of 10x100 IM on 1:30 w/ me - that was great fun!
I made up the practice before I got to the pool and I'd stick to it no matter what
Made sure to have intervals rather than x seconds rest as it's harder to push yourself w/out fellow swimmers
Would always help out swimmers/ people who had questions on technique, strokes (this would be fun and break up my practice for me - in a good way and between sets only)
Got to know just about everyone at the pools and their goals - do an ironman; recovering from hip replacements; retired judge getting back into shape; masters mom; so on
