I was at work yesterday and got asked an unusual question: How do I stay motivated to swim hours a day, every day, year after year?
I told the person that I would get back to them while I mulled over the answer. I thought back to this forum and suspect that most of the folks here compete and the competition motivates them. Me, I don’t compete, in fact, I only know how to swim one stroke, at one speed, never stopping. I guess that I just like to swim and be alone for a couple of hours every day with my own thoughts. While that works for me, I doubt it will prove useful for many others. So, how about the rest of you: What motivates you to keep swimming?
Swan
Parents
Former Member
I started swimming because some injuries from a car accident prevented me from doing activities that I really liked, such as running and cross-country skiiing. The motivation I had back then (9 years ago) was that it was the only form of exercise I could do that didn't make me feel as if an ice pick was being driven through my right knee, otherwise I didn't like it much, having always been a really bad swimmer.
Now I find dryland activities so hot, sweaty and uncomfortable. I like the weightless feeling of being in the water, and the desire to improve my technique or swim outdoors in new vacation destinations means there's always something to work on. No racing yet, but I won't rule it out in the future. I'd like to get a little more speed first,
I started swimming because some injuries from a car accident prevented me from doing activities that I really liked, such as running and cross-country skiiing. The motivation I had back then (9 years ago) was that it was the only form of exercise I could do that didn't make me feel as if an ice pick was being driven through my right knee, otherwise I didn't like it much, having always been a really bad swimmer.
Now I find dryland activities so hot, sweaty and uncomfortable. I like the weightless feeling of being in the water, and the desire to improve my technique or swim outdoors in new vacation destinations means there's always something to work on. No racing yet, but I won't rule it out in the future. I'd like to get a little more speed first,
