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
Former Member
He's still not sure exactly what he wants to do. He has put a lot of thought into the situation, as have my husband and I. Our son went to an out of town meet with the club team this past weekend, had some mediocre swims, but had a personal best in his 100 free and was close to a PB in his 50 free. It seemed to encourage him, and he had a lot of fun on the trip. He did come back to a lot of homework, and skipped practice yesterday to catch up. We have noticed that on days he swims, his mood is definitely better. Not sure if that's being at swim practice with his friends, or just that the physical activity offers him some stress relief. I reiterated to him yesterday that it's OK for him to quit as long as he stays active, but he said that he's not sure that it would help anything if he did. I do believe (as does he and my husband as well) that his academic load is the main issue. He has already decided that next year he will tone it down a bit. I did tell him that he has to skip practice at least one more day this week for his mental health if nothing else, especially since he has his coach's blessing to do so.
Thanks for all of the feedback and suggestions. We're definitely taking this day to day.
I was burned out by the time I was 12 years old. I was already an old man, much older than I am now. I took up running and enjoyed the scenery and getting out into the fresh air. It was a great stress reliever and helped me forget swimming. Then I got arthritis at age 47 and couldn't run anymore so I did some weight training with a trainer. I noticed almost immediate changes in my physique, which really improved my morale.
Maybe if your son took up running for awhile, learned a different skill set (basketball, soccer, for example; wish I'd done that) for a season, or took 6 weeks off to do some weight training, he would experience more of a sense of achievement. Then he could come back to swimming if he wanted to with some added strengths.
I really admire your son's commitment to excellence. Unfortunately, the metrics of excellence get a little less clear after we graduate from school.
Sorry, I don,t look at these much. But as to the two days a week, that was to just keep him ine the sport. That was definitely not a training regimen. As to a masters. Whole different ballgame. We need to listen to our bodies and go with what work. Good luck
