How not to get bored swimming lap after lap without stop?

In doing some distance training last summer, I did the long *boring* sets with lots of other swimmers on a team. I was actually never bored. I concur 100%. I get bored swimming by myself even if I make up a complicated set. But swimming with a team is not boring. Anyway, the only time I swim 3K or more without stopping is in an OW race, in which I have plenty to think about as I cover the distance.

Sometimes it's good to not think. The feel of the water, physical exertion, and being alone helps me to decompress and become a decent human being again. Another suggestion: You need to do more than just swim laps. Interval training (with or without at team) is not a bit boring. You can challenge yourself in more ways than I could ever list. Stroke drills are good for breaking up long workouts too. Try to declare what your goals for swimming are, then create some interesting ways to achieve them! Have fun! ps....I know alot of people who swim with music (headsets) and claim it breaks up the monotomy. They claim they are easy to use and stay in place very well.

Focusing on technique; I find it takes lots of concentration. And in a group workout, there is a lot else to think about, like where I am in the queue, am I making the intervals, and trying to remember (it's not that easy!) what the heck the number on the pace clock is supposed to be when I'm supposed to start the next rep. Swimming on my own there is more potential for monotony, and so I try, at least, to tighten up the intervals and suffer a little extra. It's tough to get bored when I think about how much I love swimming. My worst times aren't times of boredom but the off days when almost nothing feels right and I just can't seem to hit the splits I ought to be doing.

Last, if you can swim in the open water that will not be boring. Especially if there are man-eating predators in the neighborhood.

During one thirty minute swim recently completed, as I touched the wall at the end, I knew exactly how I felt concerning the priviatization of social security, as I had worked thru it the last 20 minutes of my swim. I have a hard time concentrating on stroke technique etc the entire time...I think I am just relaxed and therfore just zoning out.:bliss:

In doing some distance training last summer, I did the long *boring* sets with lots of other swimmers on a team. I was actually never bored. In surrounding myself with people much better than I, I was fascinated by watching what they did to go so fast. Each long set had multiple purposes. The intervals were always changing so you actually had to think about when you would be leaving next; your speed would need to vary to make the intervals; some parts of the set would be descend or build; some parts would be active recovery so you could focus on DPS and stretching it out. A great coach can come up with some very creative sets. I found that the time would fly by. . .

Sing underwater. Or hum. But, usually, sing... no SwiMP3. I'd like to think it's helped my breath control and built lung capacity -- don't know -- just excuses, really, to do what I want to do anyhow. I've also been guilty of being so "one with the water" that I've fallen asleep on many occasions, only to have coaches yell at me on long swims when everyone else stops but me (autopilot). Not the best way to work on technique, but on the other hand, I certainly wasn't bored!

During one thirty minute swim recently completed, as I touched the wall at the end, I knew exactly how I felt concerning the priviatization of social security, as I had worked thru it the last 20 minutes of my swim. I have a hard time concentrating on stroke technique etc the entire time...I think I am just relaxed and therfore just zoning out.:bliss: That is exactly what I do too, solve most of the world's problems. I am shocked that no one has asked me for advice. Another thing one can do is check splits. Especially if you are doing a 3000 straight. Which I actually doubt very many people on this board do. I mean what is the point of doing that?

Sometimes it's the untransmitted mental equivalent of Twitter. Sometimes I compose the day's first rush of correspondence. Sometimes it's ideas about new photoshop techniques for renderings. Sometimes I think about what's going to be for breakfast. Sometimes I watch the other swimmers in the workout. I try to keep count accurately....but get lost occasionally. A stimulating set, perhaps with fartlek-type speed changes, is useful.

I agree... I seldom do more than a 200 as part of a set..most every day is timed interval swimming..... just do a 30 minute swim about every three months... long swims in open water are never boring... I am usually trying to stay out of peoples way and keep head above water.