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'm new to swimming. I started when I got hurt and couldn't run. My swimming progressed to Triathlons, but I only swam enough to survive the swim. After my tour in Afghanistan, I realized how absolutely fortunate we are the live in a free society that allows such public activities. So I decided to learn to swim and see where it takes me.
I had no problems being motivated when I had a live coach and a team to training with. Now, I swim alone (Gym pool but empty except for me) and would love to have someone even just to swim next to. I keep hoping that someone will join in but usually no.
So for now I believe I will swim in my first ever meet in mid December and that has me too scared not to go swim. That will let me take some time off for the holidays and then get ready for the new season. I currently only swim 3 strokes, but have started working on the basics of Fly and hope to learn it soon.
Swimming is so technical that there is always something to learn/work on.
I'm new to swimming. I started when I got hurt and couldn't run. My swimming progressed to Triathlons, but I only swam enough to survive the swim. After my tour in Afghanistan, I realized how absolutely fortunate we are the live in a free society that allows such public activities. So I decided to learn to swim and see where it takes me.
I had no problems being motivated when I had a live coach and a team to training with. Now, I swim alone (Gym pool but empty except for me) and would love to have someone even just to swim next to. I keep hoping that someone will join in but usually no.
So for now I believe I will swim in my first ever meet in mid December and that has me too scared not to go swim. That will let me take some time off for the holidays and then get ready for the new season. I currently only swim 3 strokes, but have started working on the basics of Fly and hope to learn it soon.
Swimming is so technical that there is always something to learn/work on.
