I try to get in 4 to 6 swim workouts a week, but did not go this morning because I felt a little "twinge" in my left shoulder all day yesterday and I wanted to give it a rest for today. This means that I will be off two days in a row (I can't go on Wednesdays) and I hate that. I have been trying to give myself a break because I know I made the right decision, but I have been feeling guilty all day for missing! Am I crazy or what? Does anyone else give themselves these kinds of guilt trips when missing a workout? Is there something inherent about swimming that makes one obsessive compulsive about missing? Just wondering if I'm the only overly type-A character out here. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and psychological support. ;)
I've found that even if I'm sick, injured, or pressed for time, I feel better if I get into the water and do something. One time I injured my knee while running, and found flutter kick agonizing, so free and back were out for a few days. Dolphin kick wasn't too painful, so I was able to do some fly here and there. The rest of the time was spent doing... ugh... breaststroke. :badday: But I was still very glad to have gotten in the water.
I don't see that you are alone in feeling like this. I'm a huge creature of habit so I get crazy if I miss a workout because I can only squeeze in 3 or 4 a week - but at this point if I feel really crappy, or if an appendage really is wreaking havoc I'll rest it and not worry about it - I just take more care about all the other stuff, streatch, and know I'm not going to miss too much. Usually I find another way to burn the extra energy off. Swimming seems to be they type of exercise - maybe because we tend to time everything - that you don't want to take an unnecessary step back. However, if you are hurt and press it too much you may miss more than a workout or two. Don't beat yourself up, a little break can be good.
Is there something inherent about swimming that makes one obsessive compulsive about missing? Just wondering if I'm the only overly type-A character out here. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and psychological support. ;)
I'd argue that there might be something obsessive/compulsive that has made you a swimmer :) I rolled over and turned off the alarm clock this morning instead of getting up to swim because my shoulder has one of those funny "twinges" right now. It is really mentally difficult to take a day off, though. I've gotten much better about it the last year or so, but I think the chlorine addiction is pretty normal (around here, at least).
I try to get in 4 to 6 swim workouts a week, but did not go this morning because I felt a little "twinge" in my left shoulder all day yesterday and I wanted to give it a rest for today. This means that I will be off two days in a row (I can't go on Wednesdays) and I hate that. I have been trying to give myself a break because I know I made the right decision, but I have been feeling guilty all day for missing! Am I crazy or what? Does anyone else give themselves these kinds of guilt trips when missing a workout? Is there something inherent about swimming that makes one obsessive compulsive about missing? Just wondering if I'm the only overly type-A character out here. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and psychological support. ;)
I never really feel "guilty." I get pissed off if I miss workouts that I hadn't planned on. When I get a twinge in my left shoulder, which I have right now, I start kicking even more. Or I spin or run or do core work. Most swimmers seems to have a healthy OCD mindset. I actually don't know that many type B swimmers. So, I would give you a "normal" diagnosis.
Hmm. I see I am not alone with the obsession for -- I mean love of -- swimming, and worrying about losing my amazing edge of 2.5 seconds per hundred that I have worked hard to lose, and I want to lose more, and if I don't keep up the hard work I won't lose more time, and I want to swim with quality and get as strong as I can, but I don't want to be overfocused on this one aspect of my life, as it were.
(See my post on swimming obsession?)
Yah. I like to remind myself that swimming most importantly gets me into the sunshine, away from my "home office" (kitchen table), and talking to people, even if my discourses are limited to single but clever words like "alveoli."
I get very cranky when I miss a workout.If I have shoulder twinges I swim one armed with more kicking only sets.I don't particularly recommend that however.Remember "normal" is just the middle of the Bell Shaped Curve and a synonym for average.You are not normal,you are a swimmer(which is much better.)
Former Member
Salty, it just means you are not a true sprinter. :)
After 2 hip replacements, I had to dial down the FIX I got from running!!!
Now it comes from swimming & gym workouts - good but not the same:badday:
Former Member
I wish I had listened to my body more in my age-group / college days. I'm sure I could have been a better swimmer by doing better quality workouts instead of just grinding it out through pain and fatigue until taper. Now when I'm just not 'feeling it' - whether due to slight injury, fatigue, or just a sleepless night - I'll skip a workout and not feel guilty for five seconds. I have plenty of truly important aspects of my life to feel guilty about if I don't meet my own or someone else's expectations (relationships, career, childrearing, hot dog eating contests). I don't want my favorite hobby to ever be a source of such guilty. Enjoy the rest!
