All amateur swimmers 18 and over should be required to swim at least one masters meet per year. This would help with the transition into adult life, and really show the younger generation the value of masters swimming. Adults who continue to love the sport, that's a great networking tool and a positive way to stay involved with people of similar interests.
Parents
Former Member
Also, the training program you were told to do was probably ridiculous.
If you trained properly back then, you might not have burnt-out at all.
forums.usms.org/showpost.php
When I burned out at 18, you could not have paid me to enter the water again. My body and mind needed time to get as far away from the smell of chlorine as possible. I also needed to try some other physical activities--anything other than swimming. I lifted weights, did aerobics, walked, ran, whatever.
I've come back to the pool at 41 and know only 2 people from my large team who continued to swim after college. When you are pushed as hard as we were to attain Nationals or whatever the goal is, you cannot be pushed. You have to wait until you're mentally ready.
Also, the training program you were told to do was probably ridiculous.
If you trained properly back then, you might not have burnt-out at all.
forums.usms.org/showpost.php
When I burned out at 18, you could not have paid me to enter the water again. My body and mind needed time to get as far away from the smell of chlorine as possible. I also needed to try some other physical activities--anything other than swimming. I lifted weights, did aerobics, walked, ran, whatever.
I've come back to the pool at 41 and know only 2 people from my large team who continued to swim after college. When you are pushed as hard as we were to attain Nationals or whatever the goal is, you cannot be pushed. You have to wait until you're mentally ready.
