I'm sure you guys can help... I am a masters swimmer. Our son is 17, has been a club swimmer for four years, and swims on his high school team. He swims with the senior 1 group, and his practices are 2 hours 45 minutes on the weekdays and two hours on Saturdays. He is a decent, solid swimmer (state but not sectional cuts in numerous events). He is a junior in high school and is currently taking five AP courses (his decision, not my husband's and mine). His grades are good and he works hard.
Recently, he has been feeling a lot of stress due to his workload in school and swimming. He told me last night that swimming isn't fun any more. He says he thinks he still wants to swim club, possibly at the senior 2 level instead, and still wants to swim high school. He actually isn't sure he even wants to drop to a less demanding group; he isn't really sure what to do. While I think his academic load is part of why he is stressed, I know that constantly staring at a black line for hours is playing a large part as well. Aside from being supportive of him and encouraging him to talk to his coach (who is my coach as well, which could possibly complicate things), is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to be one of "those" parents, but I want to do what is best for my son. Obviously I would like him to stay in the senior 1 group, but I'm not the one swimming there. His coach knows him well, as he has been with this coach for four years. Part of the issue is that our son doesn't want to let his coach down. I know it is his call, and I'm trying to stay as objective as possible.
I'm sure many of you experienced swim burnout as a teenager. Any suggestions you can give are much appreciated.
Kristin
Kristin,
Great advice from both Fort and Ande. I imagine almost every swimmer who went through hard core club level and/or college like your son can relate to his burnout feelings. It didn't hit me until my junior year in college, but it hit hard. What worked for me was to stay in the pool, but to switch my training focus considerably, from a distance orientation to an IM orientation. Though at the collegiate level, this didn't mean switching "groups" like it does for your son at the club level, the effect is likely the same: variety, different intensity and, possibly, some emotional relief by not feeling the same level of internal or external expectations.
Your son is clearly motivated and, like Ande said, it's still just swimming. On the whole, swimming should be a net positive in his life; if it's not, there's no harm in cutting back or even taking a break to see if doing so helps. There's a lot of "macho" in our sport with respect to over-training and a number of coaches might not see eye-to-eye with a break or a downgrade in training group, but, if it keeps the kid happier and healthier, he might return to the sport even more invigorated.
One of the big things I've learned as a masters swimmer is that taking breaks is not going to ruin your sport; yeah, it'll take a little longer to get back into shape, but it's totally doable. As a young kid, taking an extended break won't even phase him; his body's still going to grow and get stronger. If he comes back to the sport in a better mental space, he'll more than likely swim faster.
Kristin,
Great advice from both Fort and Ande. I imagine almost every swimmer who went through hard core club level and/or college like your son can relate to his burnout feelings. It didn't hit me until my junior year in college, but it hit hard. What worked for me was to stay in the pool, but to switch my training focus considerably, from a distance orientation to an IM orientation. Though at the collegiate level, this didn't mean switching "groups" like it does for your son at the club level, the effect is likely the same: variety, different intensity and, possibly, some emotional relief by not feeling the same level of internal or external expectations.
Your son is clearly motivated and, like Ande said, it's still just swimming. On the whole, swimming should be a net positive in his life; if it's not, there's no harm in cutting back or even taking a break to see if doing so helps. There's a lot of "macho" in our sport with respect to over-training and a number of coaches might not see eye-to-eye with a break or a downgrade in training group, but, if it keeps the kid happier and healthier, he might return to the sport even more invigorated.
One of the big things I've learned as a masters swimmer is that taking breaks is not going to ruin your sport; yeah, it'll take a little longer to get back into shape, but it's totally doable. As a young kid, taking an extended break won't even phase him; his body's still going to grow and get stronger. If he comes back to the sport in a better mental space, he'll more than likely swim faster.
