have been swimming year round since I was eight years old. I am now going to be a sophmore in college. I have lived and breathed swimming since I first started. My life revolved around swimming and only that. Through high school I gave up hanging with friends to go to swim practice. I never really was a great swimmer even though I worked super hard to be succesful. I did swim one year in college. I am completely burnt out and cant stand to go to swim meets and not be able to swim the times I did when I was 13-15. now 20. It kills me and after my freshman year and this summer I have made the decision to call it quits because I 'cant put my self through all this hard work to not see results and swimming just dosent make me happy. Am i making a huge mistake and what happens say a year from now when i miss swimming greatly? will it all be ok then? I was so sure on my decision but when other people dont support me like coaches and parents etc its hard. I just need some advice or encougagement!
thanks!
Parents
Former Member
I completely feel your pain. The same thing happened to me in the my Senior year of college. I had thrown all my eggs in the basket my junior year, swam great, and then missed qualifying for Olympic Trials by .12 in the 400 free. This happened to me in 1988 as well, but in the 1500 ( I qualified but too late). Plus all my friends were done, I was distance swimmer, and pretty much had to train alone....which really sucked.
In the end its YOUR decision, but follow your heart. If its not in it then take just a year off and then maybe re-evaluate. Unless you are on a scholarship or something its shouldn't be a big deal to take a year off, just don't fall TOO far from the tree as far as conditioning.
Swimming does lend itself to needing to be completely dedicated to be successful. One of the sacrifices I had to make was a social life. However in college its MUCH easier to have one.
So anyways, take a step back, enjoy, then re-evaluate. Thats my .02 :2cents:
I completely feel your pain. The same thing happened to me in the my Senior year of college. I had thrown all my eggs in the basket my junior year, swam great, and then missed qualifying for Olympic Trials by .12 in the 400 free. This happened to me in 1988 as well, but in the 1500 ( I qualified but too late). Plus all my friends were done, I was distance swimmer, and pretty much had to train alone....which really sucked.
In the end its YOUR decision, but follow your heart. If its not in it then take just a year off and then maybe re-evaluate. Unless you are on a scholarship or something its shouldn't be a big deal to take a year off, just don't fall TOO far from the tree as far as conditioning.
Swimming does lend itself to needing to be completely dedicated to be successful. One of the sacrifices I had to make was a social life. However in college its MUCH easier to have one.
So anyways, take a step back, enjoy, then re-evaluate. Thats my .02 :2cents:
