Hello there,
I am a late bloomer in swimming because I was not exposed to the sport until the Beijing Olympics... I started swimming with a swim club back in 2008 and I love swimming for all its worth. I'll be joining two swim clubs this coming fall twice a day - three times a week (ie. morning and evening). I'll also be taking swimming lessons at a local community centre (can't afford private centres). However, I'll be turning 21 years old by next month! It's not a problem but I feel it's a big obstacle because many athletic swimmers are exposed to the sport since they were kids compared to me who recently just started. I want to swim competitively as soon I become a competitive swimmer (obviously)... by then I would love to join a varsity team at a university... then again is that too ambitious? I never focused on a sport until now and I am really motivated to do this. What should I do? Is this a reasonable goal to achieve?
BTW: I also love to run... I don't get easily as tired and I could pretty much run all day if I want to... So, I'm starting to routinely run in the morning and in the evening. Am I pushing myself too hard?
PS: Im from Canada, if there is any difference in terms of potential of reasonable expectations of Canada/US varsity swim teams.
Let me know your thoughts about my situation. :agree:
Hello There late bloomer,
you want to swim competitively
you're turning 21 soon
you've never swam before
you're joining two swim clubs this coming fall twice a day
three times a week (ie. morning and evening).
I'll also be taking swimming lessons at a local community centre (can't afford private centres).
many swimmers have been training since they were young
You would love to join a varsity team at a university
You are really motivated to do this.
You asked "is that too ambitious?"
maybe
What should I do?
Find a great coach, find a great team, & Train
training twice a day 3 times a week is an unusual training program
I suggest train 6 days a week, do doubles 3 of those days,
all with the same team
Is this a reasonable goal to achieve?
Who's to say, my guess is it's probably too late to get on a varsity team, you might want to ask coaches what are their criteria to make their team.
You loved to run and plan to do a few runs each week & asked
Am I pushing myself too hard?
don't know, maybe
right now you are in the honeymoon phase of your training, you're very gungho, very ambitious, when athletes do too much too soon they run the risk of injury & burnout, there may come a day 2, 3, 4, or 6 months from now when you don't feel the way you do now.
Will you stick with it or will you move on to something new?
A few exceptional athletes started at 17 and made remarkable improvements, Rowdy Gaines is one.
Who's to say what you are capable of?
Set your sights and train hard,
Good luck,
ande
Hello There late bloomer,
you want to swim competitively
you're turning 21 soon
you've never swam before
you're joining two swim clubs this coming fall twice a day
three times a week (ie. morning and evening).
I'll also be taking swimming lessons at a local community centre (can't afford private centres).
many swimmers have been training since they were young
You would love to join a varsity team at a university
You are really motivated to do this.
You asked "is that too ambitious?"
maybe
What should I do?
Find a great coach, find a great team, & Train
training twice a day 3 times a week is an unusual training program
I suggest train 6 days a week, do doubles 3 of those days,
all with the same team
Is this a reasonable goal to achieve?
Who's to say, my guess is it's probably too late to get on a varsity team, you might want to ask coaches what are their criteria to make their team.
You loved to run and plan to do a few runs each week & asked
Am I pushing myself too hard?
don't know, maybe
right now you are in the honeymoon phase of your training, you're very gungho, very ambitious, when athletes do too much too soon they run the risk of injury & burnout, there may come a day 2, 3, 4, or 6 months from now when you don't feel the way you do now.
Will you stick with it or will you move on to something new?
A few exceptional athletes started at 17 and made remarkable improvements, Rowdy Gaines is one.
Who's to say what you are capable of?
Set your sights and train hard,
Good luck,
ande
