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 think most of us are that way, so you are normal.
I try to remind myself if I swim more than 5 times a week I get A) a little burnt out, and B) my form and speed start to suffer.
Usually if I respect my NEED for a day off here and there I am rewarded by feeling strong/positive/ and in control during my workouts!
It is always better to leave feeling like you could have done more or worked harder than feeling like you can't wait for the workout to end.
Also...... remember REST is a very important part of any training regimen. :bed:
I have read that scientists are studying "endorphin" depletion in depressed people's brains, as opposed to serotonin whatever.
I always feel very happy after swimming until it fades, and then I kind of crash. People notice that I am witty and talkative in the locker room after practice (OK, "witty" is my perception; talkative, no doubts!).
I have skipped practice since Monday, bad bad bad. That's because, due to my obsession (other thread), I was trying someone's advice to swim in a T-shirt and tights, which I did on Sunday, and totally exhausted myself, since I had first taken the African dance class.
I was trying to build strength in my catch. I need to swim for sanity. I feel guilty when I miss practice because I fear I will lose my momentum and never get in the pool again. It's happened. But not this time. I have another thread from this forum about how to get to the pool when I don't wanna go, i.e., am endorphin-less/depressed. Very inspirational thread, that one. Am forever grateful to all who posted replies.
hey salty,
see you're in austin
wonder who you are?
do your train with longhorn?
forgive yourself for skipping
somes athletes with injuries show up for practice but don't do anything that hurts the injury,
got shoulder pain, kick the whole practice
got a bum knee, don't kick, soft push offs
adjust work outs as needed
tell your coach, OK here's the deal I ...
why do you feel guilty?
isn't guilt like when you do something bad, you know, but your mom doesn't
the truth is, in masters everyones busy, no one cares if you miss a practice or two,
just do
what you can,
when you can
how you can
I prefer not to miss because it might make my goal less likely to happen. Plus I feel better when I swim
Salty Be happy don't worry
ande
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 there is nothing more frustrating than missing a workout in swimming. I missed Tuesday due to what is evidently an epidemic (twinge in left shoulder, my swim partner has same issue too) and was all ready to swim yesterday (Wednesday). However, I swim at the local JCC (Jewish Community Center) and I am not Jewish. They had a holiday yesterday and it was closed. So I cursed myself even more than before for missing Tuesday, and I started to curse the entire Jewish religion, but decided that 5000 years of Jewish custom were a tad more important than my obsession to swim. The week before I swam 18,000 yards and wanted very much to do 36,000 in two weeks. Unless I'm in for a 6000 yard day, that's gonna be nearly impossible now. I'm not that strong yet. Crap.
Blue
You are not alone. Swimming is relentless. Miss a day because your sick, have other obligations, or whatever, and I find that either my pace is off, or I seem to fatigue sooner. So mentally, if I don't get in the water, then I am fighting an uphill battle the next time I do get in.
My wife isn't a swimmer and she doesn't understand this "OCD" I have. I don't like the miss a practice. If I do, then I try and get in the next day. I prefer to swim with others versus solo. It helps me stay on pace.
If you want to laugh instead of feel guilty, read the thread underneath your posting called "latest excuse for missing workout," started by knelson.
I particularly like the response "TOM came to visit."
I feel the same way you do. If I over sleep and am late to practice I still go even if it means only 20 min. in the pool, otherwise I will beat myself up all day.
Recently my friend had his bachelor party in Las Vegas for 5 das , being the best man I had to go, well I didn't want to go because I felt like I had just reached a high level of swimming for this season and i didn't want to lose it by taking the time off, plus nationals is coming up and I have a meet this weekend and didn't want to get out of shape. (Vegas was apr. 6-10). I ended up having a great time in Vegas, but when you work so hard for something and have to stop it is really hard. I think I don't swim enough period and beat myself up constantly over it. I haven't met anyone in another sport who feels this way.
I read an interview of Bob Bowman who sayed that missing a day of practice would require 4 days of practice to get back into shape (of course this is for an athlete as elite as Phelps) but it stuck in my head. Even though I am no where near as in shape as Phelps mentally I can't get it out of my head and it affects me. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this way.
Also, the body releases β - Endorphins in response to physical activity and if you workout routinely, your body gets used to routine increases of the opiate like substance. So, essentially, on a physical level, your body hasn't gotten it's "fix" today, albeit a natural and healthy one, but one your body is missing none the less.
