I posted a version of this on the non-swimming related posts, but I'm posting here again because I'm trying to figure this out more specifically.
I want to swim faster but I want to do other stuff in my life. This week I went to hear Emily Elbert at Berklee College of Music as part of its Rock and Pop night (she is awesome!), practiced speaking bad Spanish with a neighbor, but this was fun nonetheless, went to an African dance class and then walked from this class to the pool, where I proceeded to swim wearing a T-shirt and tights for drag, which is supposed to help me improve my catch. At home, pretty wiped out after dance/drag swim combo.
I want to see if I can get faster and stronger as a swimmer, but this takes much dedication. I am not of the elite variety but qualify for distance events at nationals and probably at long course nationals. So I want to train for long course nationals.
But I don't want to be obsessed. My exercises to keep my arms attached to my shoulders, my back in line, and my knees strong take me about an hour. I'm supposed to do them every day. I give practice my all and generally am a noodle for the rest of the day. I have a book project due that I have procrastinated because of "fatigue" from swimming (nice excuse).
Swimming makes me happy but I want to do other things. It's sailing season, for example. And tennis is fun. And doing more creative work is a goal. Is it possible to be well rounded and not be obsessed with swimming, but still get stronger? As in, a lot stronger? Without devoting all my spare time to it?
I do seem to have plenty of time to watch America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, other trashy TV. I'd like to read more books and ditch the TV. That will be tough.
Sleep also is a goal. Hard to come by. I do continue to write my soldier (never met) in Afghanistan and realize I have no reasons to complain about anything in my life, given what she is up against.
Still, balance? Swim speed = intense swim focus? I swim four times a week, about 14,000 to 16,000 yards a week.
Actually I think the Olympics inspired a lot of people to join masters swimming.
Now as for the networks that went to commercial breaks during the distance freestyle events so that I couldn't see the whole race and watch what people were doing, that ticked me off, whereas most nonswimmers probably were not so interested in distance strategy.
But the team I have coached, of all levels, was really excited when I proposed we swim all the Olympic events, in Olympic order, as our workout. And they did them all.
So obsession version inspiration... I get very inspired by great swimming, then I get obsessed because I want to see how much I can improve.
I think the earlier advice on this thread, to swim while you swim, then go on with the rest of your life, is key.
There is plenty of wasted time in my life, that's for sure, that I could make better use of. Um, like I could be trying to sleep now, so I will do my laundry tomorrow. And other more important stuff too.
Actually I think the Olympics inspired a lot of people to join masters swimming.
Now as for the networks that went to commercial breaks during the distance freestyle events so that I couldn't see the whole race and watch what people were doing, that ticked me off, whereas most nonswimmers probably were not so interested in distance strategy.
But the team I have coached, of all levels, was really excited when I proposed we swim all the Olympic events, in Olympic order, as our workout. And they did them all.
So obsession version inspiration... I get very inspired by great swimming, then I get obsessed because I want to see how much I can improve.
I think the earlier advice on this thread, to swim while you swim, then go on with the rest of your life, is key.
There is plenty of wasted time in my life, that's for sure, that I could make better use of. Um, like I could be trying to sleep now, so I will do my laundry tomorrow. And other more important stuff too.
