I thought I'd try an experiment here. I propose that anyone of any swimming level can use this thread (or not) when, whether in a small way or earthshaking manner you've done something in the pool that you're proud and/or pleased by. Anyone is welcome to add encouraging comments (or not) or ask for more info., but please no grandstanding or feuding.
Okay- I'll go first (and I'm just as hesitant as anyone else). Context: last few months hellish: collapse of my dream business, death in family, huge money troubles etc. result months out of water & exercise & 30lb gain. Further, I just went back over the last 10 yrs, averaged 1 meet a year, no more than 4 months training in any one year. So- been back in water 4 weeks, 2-3 times a week and mostly feeling like chopped liver. Monday night coach say we're going to do dive 25's (meters) from blocks, starter's instructions. Now I haven't done this in years 'cause I have a very bad neck- but I've been frustrated so...did all 3 breastroke 16.3, 15.5, 16.2 which tells me I've still got prospects to go fast again! I am pleased.
This is a great idea!
OK.... I had *** cancer last year and had a mastectomy in May... I swam at Worlds! I had surgery again in late September and now I'm training for Nationals.... I'm proud of myself. It's slow going, getting back to where I was but I managed to swim 50,000 yds last month.
Swimstud, oh I mean Tarzan.... or is it Rich prompted me to post this!
Judy
How cool is this! You go girl! 50,000 yards is a ton. You've got me cold this last month.
Myself, I would like to report that I swam for the first time in 8 whole days last night. Only for an hour or so. I did 900 meters of breaststroke and breaststroke kick among other things. 10 x 50 meters *** on the 1:00 with the monofin on the advice of my friend Muppet. Since this is a "no judgment" thread, I do not want to get any claptrap about doing breaststroke. Even from evil Paul Smith.
Since this is a "no judgment" thread, I do not want to get any claptrap about doing breaststroke. Even from evil Paul Smith.
You have NO idea how much self control this is taking to not.....Ok, I'm just going to stop!
Great thread Peter........and hang in there!
As for me.....the knee is getting better and I've been able to swim more consistently....plus I've dropped 13lbs.....long way to go still but thats what life is all about....
here is my attaboy story, it actually happened today haha. when i went to swim, one of the lifeguards (who is a UNCW swimmer) dared me to do a 100 free for time off the blocks, i dunno why he wanted me to but i chose to do it anways. i did my warm up and stretched. he started me and i went a 52.8. my splits were 24.5 and 28.3, bad splitting i know but i'm really stoked about it because my best time ever is a 52.7 and that was with a shave and taper, and i was also swimming on an age group team 9 practices a week and now i swim by myself 6 practices. also, at my last meet, about 3 weeks ago in the 100 free i only went a 53.51. .7 sec. faster today and that's with only a little bit of sprint training added to my workouts since then. today i was not rested and still very sore from yesterday's hard workout in the weightroom. the lifeguard said my starts and turns pretty much were horrible but the swimming wasn't bad. i guess now i'll start working on starts, turns, and doing more sprints because i really wanna go a 49.99 at my meet in a month. i'm also going to reduce my yardage from 6000 to around 4500 so i can do a lot more sprinting. i forgot how bad the pain is in a 100 so im gonna start doing some sets that recreate that pain and maybe i can get used to sprinting when i'm tired and my splits won't be so off. just wanted to share
For those who have ever struggled with weight there are milestones we set for ourselves that sometimes are harder to hit than beating a specific time or placing in a race.
In 1982 was the last year that I swam competitively and upon finishing that season I was 175 lbs. Since then my weight had gone over 220 at one point. Three years ago when I started back to swimming I was about 205 lbs. in plus size suits, bad back. Could not even touch the block on a start for over a year due to back pain. The pain is more of a stiffening now but still lets me remember my limitations.
TODAY I CELEBRATED! 175 lbs for the first time in 25 years!:banana: Have just finished month 2 of the Go the Distance Challenge with 126 miles total since January and really looking forward to shattering my 1650 time from last years nationals at this years event.
Going for 170 lbs. at the end of March.
Donna
This is a great idea!
OK.... I had *** cancer last year and had a mastectomy in May... I swam at Worlds! I had surgery again in late September and now I'm training for Nationals.... I'm proud of myself. It's slow going, getting back to where I was but I managed to swim 50,000 yds last month.
Swimstud, oh I mean Tarzan.... or is it Rich prompted me to post this!
Judy
This is a great idea!
OK.... I had *** cancer last year and had a mastectomy in May... I swam at Worlds! I had surgery again in late September and now I'm training for Nationals.... I'm proud of myself. It's slow going, getting back to where I was but I managed to swim 50,000 yds last month.
Judy
A big "ADDAGOIRL" for you Judy ;)
For your courage and also for thoughtfulness in posting and trying to pull others with issues together to support each other.
"Rich" is good for when I'm being sensible (not otfen).
Great thread. And kudos to you all. I love to see improvements, no matter how big or small.
I am lucky in that my whole family is involved in swimming so I can tell them my accomplishments and they understand.
My recent one was a few weeks ago. Let me start by saying I am NOT a sprinter. You tell me to go fast and my body goes slower for some reason. I love distance. So, with that said, I don't sprint often but in practice we (this is a kids team I practice with) did 3x100 off the blocks for time. My fastest 100 free to that date was over 3 years ago and it was a 1:05 in a meet. This particular Sat I did 2 100's at 1:04 (the last was a 1:06). So my fastest time for 100 free ws during a practice! No special suit, no special goggles, nothing extra. I also got out of that practice and did the masters practice right after getting in 3 miles for the Go the Distance.
Alison
My attaboy involves attempting to overcome the aging factor. Turned 40 in February but since doing so I have maintained my goal of averaging a mile per calendar day in the Go the Distance program, set 2 SCM state records and swam the best 50 and 100 that I have in a couple of years at last weekends meet (and I had hurt my back that week requiring 3 visits to the chiro to straighten it out). If the 40's continue like this I guess I'll be happy with the swimming accomplishments but in pain all the while. Hopefully its just the pain thing that goes away!
Thank you all for the positive messages re this thread both here and via PM's.
This is what I visualized, whether someone making a record, completing their first race, recovering from whatever, getting over a fear...I'm hoping that we can keep this going over time and it can be a testament to the 'can do' attitude that makes life (and swimming) go so much smoother. Again, no judgements needed here other than 'Well done'.
