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.
Which is to say, you have to decide. Americans have gotten into a bad habit of waiting to be told what is right or correct, abdicating personal critical thinking. Jefferson is spinning in his grave. :bitching: Rant off.
Interesting that you mention Jefferson...at the entrance to UVa's aquatics center (which also has weights, etc, for the students), there is an engraved saying of his to the effect that two hours daily of physical activity is necessary for a healthy mind.
"Give about two of them every day to exercise; for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong."
wiki.monticello.org/.../Exercise
Of course it bothers me to no end that I am giving UVa (or "Jefferson's University" as they so ponderously proclaim) kudos for anything. My wife, a William and Mary alum, is quick to point out that Jefferson actually attended HER alma mater...
Which is to say, you have to decide. Americans have gotten into a bad habit of waiting to be told what is right or correct, abdicating personal critical thinking. Jefferson is spinning in his grave. :bitching: Rant off.
Interesting that you mention Jefferson...at the entrance to UVa's aquatics center (which also has weights, etc, for the students), there is an engraved saying of his to the effect that two hours daily of physical activity is necessary for a healthy mind.
"Give about two of them every day to exercise; for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong."
wiki.monticello.org/.../Exercise
Of course it bothers me to no end that I am giving UVa (or "Jefferson's University" as they so ponderously proclaim) kudos for anything. My wife, a William and Mary alum, is quick to point out that Jefferson actually attended HER alma mater...
