Lost my swimming mojo

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Former Member — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:54:59 GMT

Start running. I signed up for a half marathon for June 6 against my better judgement. All I want to do is get back in the pool and train . . .

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Former Member — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:20:01 GMT

I definitely feel you right now. In the fall I was in really good swimming shape. I swam a couple miles before my classes 6 days a week and had a swimming buddy. Then I got a staph infection (likely from the disgusting boston pool), had to have surgery, and had to take a month off. After that I never really got back into it and with the start of the spring semester I no longer had to time to swim.w Now its summer and I'm trying to get back into shape. I basically really "started" yesterday. I did 1300yds and it felt like an eternity. Doing a 200 felt like miles. It's quite depressing. Before I go swimming I come up with a plan. Then when I go swimming I know what I have to do and convince myself not to stop until I finish what I planned. If you get satisfaction from finishing what you start it can help with motivation. I also want to do some running. It's been so hot though and I live on a mountain so I'm lacking that motivation right now.

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

__steve__ — Tue, 25 May 2010 10:19:24 GMT

"False start" I heard "heet 22" announced while I was at the other side of the pool studying the bulkhead from the side. For some reason the 16 to 22 heats progressed fast. Anyway, I had to run to the blocks and managed to get in position with arms relaxed before the "on your mark's" command. The horn went off and had a good swim. Lukily I was able to catch the board in time to see my time and heat place. When I got out I was told I was DQ. I wasn't upset at the time because I was so relieved in finding the mojo I lost last month:).

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

swimshark — Tue, 25 May 2010 07:45:05 GMT

Before warming up yesterday for my final event I changed my attituded and said a quick prayer then managed to get a PB in the 50 free. Even though I found out later I was DQed, I still swam a 26.82 which is the fastest I've done so I'm happy. Steve, what happened that got you DQ'd?

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Grappledunk — Tue, 25 May 2010 06:34:47 GMT

This is all really good advice - Rykno, I have the same problem that if my schedule gets thrown off then it's that much harder to get myself to the pool. Ande and ElaineK, I agree, I need to be more engaged in the sport as a whole and be a part of the community, and that's something that I haven't done since I started masters. Ande, a blog you say? I do have one, in fact! (link below) I also started a swimming specific blog, but that went the way of my swimming when I lost my mojo. I'll try to reinvigorate that as well and post the link when I feel like there's something worth reading on it :) I also just signed up for the Reston lake swim and clinic (on the last possible day) so at the very least I'll be swimming two miles this weekend. I am determined to not care about how fast I swim on zero training, just how much fun I have.

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

__steve__ — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:06:52 GMT

I lost my mojo 4 weeks ago but I managed to find it yesterday afternoon. My times suddenly stopped improving and started getting slower. For me it was a chain of events but it originally started through negativism I developed from something totally unrelated to swimming. I kept feeding it and it started to also effect my work, family and health too. Before warming up yesterday for my final event I changed my attituded and said a quick prayer then managed to get a PB in the 50 free. Even though I found out later I was DQed, I still swam a 26.82 which is the fastest I've done so I'm happy.

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Rykno — Mon, 24 May 2010 08:41:23 GMT

I found when I got into your situation it was actually everything else in my life that was pulling me in every direction but the pool. I decided that no matter how much extra work I did before going home there was still going to be work to do the next day, and that made it easier to turn the computer off and go home. I talked to my wife about how hard it is to go to the pool and swim, if I can't leave on time with out feeling the urge to stay home to do something else. so we try to do everything we need to do before 19:00 so I can leave home at 19:30 with out thinking I have left something undone, or too much for her to take care of. now I have that feeling back that I can do more.

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

swimshark — Mon, 24 May 2010 08:25:16 GMT

Set some goals! Plus I always find that if I have people that expect me to be there, I will show so let a team mate know that you are going and I bet you won't miss the next practice.

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Former Member — Sun, 23 May 2010 13:07:02 GMT

Just some additional reinforcement for the "I'll just do a few laps" argument. It always works for me. And, as with others, invariably when I get to the number of laps I'd set as a minimum, I keep going. But, you need to be OK with only doing those laps, too, on the theory that something (some laps) is far better than nothing, i.e. not getting in the pool at all. At least once (some of us tell ourselves this sort of thing frequently), you need to stop at that predetermined point, otherwise this ruse won't work for long.

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Bobinator — Sun, 23 May 2010 11:20:56 GMT

Just make yourself go "do it!" I remind myself how great swimming is for my health and how energized I feel when I'm done. I promise myself permission to "take it easy" if I need to. Good Luck with this situation. Try not to think about it much and just let your physical side take over. :bouncing:

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Elaine Krugman — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:23:42 GMT

Listen to Ande... Just get out and DO IT. The swimming bug will bite- hard. :D It had been 31 years since I competed high school swimming, then I checked out the USMS website. I had been swimming since last June just for fitness, but decided to join Masters on a whim. I thought I would read Swimmer Magazine, check out the forums, and see how I felt about competing again. Then, I got hooked... :bliss: Read Ande's Tips, stay tuned into the forums; engage. You will get hooked and you won't look back. The "forumites" are a great motivator and support system; especially if you don't have access to a team. I work out on my own, but I consider these guys and gals MY team! :D Good luck!!! :cheerleader:

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

ande — Sun, 23 May 2010 09:32:11 GMT

change your attitude act like preparing for those events matter Act as if you are excited about it follow through on your goal after then enthusiasm has faded keep taking action make a plan & do it hold yourself accountable what are your goals? what are your plans? make a public declaration right here right now then start a blog & report your training we'll hold your feet to the fire Ande Hi everyone, any advice is appreciated... I'm signed up for a few open water swims this summer, but I haven't been able to get my motivation up to swim lately. It's been months, really...and I LOVE open water. I want to do well! What's wrong with me? How do I bust out of this swimming funk?? :badday:

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Grappledunk — Sun, 23 May 2010 08:23:45 GMT

Thanks for the input everyone...I think it might partly be inertia and partly residual swimming burn out from college. College was a long while ago, but it seems to have stuck with me. I get that same feeling of dread about having to attend the morning workouts as I did in college, then I remember that I don't have to go to the pool if I don't want to. So I don't. This is despite the fact that I've never been unhappy about having gone to a masters workout. I'm going to try breaking the inertia tomorrow morning by using the "swim until I want to get out" technique...wish me luck!

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

Former Member — Sat, 22 May 2010 14:08:29 GMT

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

knelson — Sat, 22 May 2010 09:43:12 GMT

It's getting there that's tough. Tell yourself you will only do drills, stroke work, IM 25s, ect. Don't psyche yourself out with longer cardio sets with little rest. You are better off doing the former than nothing at all. Once you are there, you might feel like doing the conditioning sets. I agree. This is a trick I do sometimes. Tell yourself "OK, if I'm not feeling it I'll get out early." 90% of the time when I do this I end up finishing the workout. I get to the point where I figure if I've gone this far, I might as well keep going! The hardest thing is definitely getting there.

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

jessicafk11 — Sat, 22 May 2010 08:56:54 GMT

Hi everyone, any advice is appreciated... I'm signed up for a few open water swims this summer, but I haven't been able to get my motivation up to swim lately. It's been months, really...and I LOVE open water. I want to do well! What's wrong with me? How do I bust out of this swimming funk?? :badday: I hear you, I haven't been to the pool in over a month. My boyfriend asked me recently why I don't like swimming anymore. I love swimming! I had a lot going on and needed a break from pretty much everything and I needed to let myself be ok with it. Now that I am rested and ready to get back into it, motivation is lacking. As much as I am excited to be getting back to the pool, I'm not feeling it like I want to. I think it is just having fallen out of the habit of it and getting the inertia started. The first couple workouts I may have to "force" myself to go but I am sure once I am there I will be happy I went and before I know it my motivation will be back. Not sure if this'll help, but try making yourself go. Don't have any goals in mind other than just getting there and getting in the water. Once you are there just enjoy being in the water. I think you'll find that you'll start to look forward to going more and want to do more while you are there. Good luck!

RE: Lost my swimming mojo

debaru — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:08:38 GMT

I think we all go get into a funk now and then. What really helps me is to swim with other people. If you're not part of a Masters group, find one near you and join them. Working out with other like-minded folks who love swimming is highly motivating and fun. I also swim open water and have a buddy who goes with me to swim on a regular basis. If he isn't available, my oldest daughter comes along and follows me in a kayak. Just having company can make such a huge difference.