I have a question about why so many people on my swim team are so much faster than me. I have been on a year round swim team for over a year, and have been swimming competitively for about 4 years.
I am still always the slowest on my team, and I get lapped so many times during practice. It is so frustrating! I go to practice almost every day, and work just as hard as them.
Are some people just born fast vs. slow in swimming and there is nothing you can do to change your natural speed? Is speed something you can achieve with hard work?
Why is everyone so much faster than me? What can I do to become fast like them?
Parents
Former Member
Amy-
When I started swimming at the age of 9 yrs old, I couldn't even make a single lap of the pool. My Dad used to say I would be a 'C' swimmer forever because I had no natural ability in the water. What I did have was drive and determination. I worked my butt off and eventually made a couple of national cuts and swam in college.
Now, as a master, I will never be one of the national record holders, but I do well enough when I train hard.
My point is, yes, if you train hard enough (this includes concentrating on proper stroke technique - ALWAYS), you can become much faster.
Another very helpful thing is to watch the people that are faster than you. See what they are doing and copy them. It is difficult to know what your body is doing when you can't see it, so video taping yourself is very helpful. At the least, ask your coach to watch you and critique your strokes. That is his/her job.
Good Luck! Most importantly, have fun!
Amy-
When I started swimming at the age of 9 yrs old, I couldn't even make a single lap of the pool. My Dad used to say I would be a 'C' swimmer forever because I had no natural ability in the water. What I did have was drive and determination. I worked my butt off and eventually made a couple of national cuts and swam in college.
Now, as a master, I will never be one of the national record holders, but I do well enough when I train hard.
My point is, yes, if you train hard enough (this includes concentrating on proper stroke technique - ALWAYS), you can become much faster.
Another very helpful thing is to watch the people that are faster than you. See what they are doing and copy them. It is difficult to know what your body is doing when you can't see it, so video taping yourself is very helpful. At the least, ask your coach to watch you and critique your strokes. That is his/her job.
Good Luck! Most importantly, have fun!
