There are times when we all as swimmers, face the obstacle of trainning without the assistance and drive of a coach. In these circumstances how do you cope with the situation? How do you cope with a coach who doesn't really coach?
As a former US swimmer I coach myself on a daily basis. The disadvantages that I have by doing this is the lack of feedback on my strokes and the general push that a coach usually provides. I've had coaches in the past that were lets face it not coaches but merely objects taking space and getting paid for it which is the worst part.
The goal is to stay positive, stay focused, do your best to keep motivated, and set goals.
:agree:
I've been training myself and alone for almost 2-1/2 years now and actually like it.
Jeff, if I may ask: other than providing access to sanctioned events, how useful is USMS membership to you personally? Do you find it offers resources (eg, SWIMMER magazine, access to workouts thru the forums and blogs, online articles, other things) that are valuable to you in pursuing your swimming training/fitness goals?
Or are you a member primarily for access to the competitions?
While I have met some people who train on their own due to necessity (lack of an accessible workout/coach), I haven't met too many who seem to prefer it that way, so I'm interested in your perspective of USMS.
The workouts that you can motivate yourself to do on your own are impressive! I need to have a coach and bodies in the lanes next to me to do that kind of yardage...I've always been impressed by people who train primarily on their own.
I've been training myself and alone for almost 2-1/2 years now and actually like it.
Jeff, if I may ask: other than providing access to sanctioned events, how useful is USMS membership to you personally? Do you find it offers resources (eg, SWIMMER magazine, access to workouts thru the forums and blogs, online articles, other things) that are valuable to you in pursuing your swimming training/fitness goals?
Or are you a member primarily for access to the competitions?
While I have met some people who train on their own due to necessity (lack of an accessible workout/coach), I haven't met too many who seem to prefer it that way, so I'm interested in your perspective of USMS.
The workouts that you can motivate yourself to do on your own are impressive! I need to have a coach and bodies in the lanes next to me to do that kind of yardage...I've always been impressed by people who train primarily on their own.
