I was just curious if anyone has to balance training for swim meets and working a physical job. I'm going to school for construction and was wondering if anyone works in the construction industry and swims? i know if some construction workers found out I wore a speedo I'd get quite a bit of heckling! haha
Former Member
I work at many pools during my never ending "work week" --
Teaching beginner swimmers, working with adults, water exercise classes, and pool maintence (pool tech), there are days where the thought of getting back into another pool (I get into as many as 5 different pools a day) is just not in the cards. However, once I have that relaxation time and am able to swim (sometimes just plodding along) I feel much better mentally and physically.
I eat a lot - snacking every 2 hours and large meals here and there.
It's not easy to fit a true workout in when you have a physically demanding job, but it can be done.
My team had a 32-year-old who qualified for Olympic Trials in 2000. He's a firefighter and we all really hoped that he didn't get called out to put out a fire during his taper before Trials. On his off days he used to do side jobs like lawn mowing, putting up fences, other physical stuff out in the summer heat. His firehouse schedule did interfere with his training but he did make his OT cuts, pretty impressive at any age.
Anyone that heckles you over The Speedo, invite them to race you while you wear your competition swimwear and they wear their jeans and construction workboots. Make the distance at least 100m.
