4 years ago, I used to swim an average of 4000-5000 meters a day, sometimes with a coach, sometimes on my own, over the years that went down to the point that I’m happy if I pass 2000 meters.
My problem is my low motivation, my best times are really far from where I’m at, I can train with a team only twice a week, and I have very little time to practice since I’m studying a lot, but somehow I manage to go everyday.
So, I don’t know if I just got really bored or stressed, but my will power to go to the pool every day is disappearing, this last month I really didn't care if I missed 2-4 days of pool in one week, and the days I do go, I don't even push myself like I used to.
What can I do?
It sounds like its time to take a break or train for a new event. Perhaps just commit to training twice weekly with the team for a few weeks and focus on a different stroke or perhaps train for an event you have never swum, or not swum in a long time?
I think most of us have our ups and downs :bighug:
How often do you participate in meets?
I find that if I know a meet is coming up I will train harder and go to the pool more often. Besides, I find that swimming to be in practice shape is much less motivating than preparing for a race.
Do you have a training partner?
Swimming alone is difficult. Having a partner to push you and not let down by skipping practices is a great way to swim hard and be consistent
Are you busy?
I'm often swamped with schoolwork and may only get 20-40 minutes in a day, but since I know I can only swim very little I'll work extra hard to make it count.
Thank you all for the answers. I will take some ideas.
I decided to stop swimming for a week and see what happens. I think the reason is related to high levels of stress.
To answer some questions: I don't practice any other sport. I do keep track of what I do every day in practice (distance, times, stretch, lifting). I have a meet in two weeks, I will go even though I'm in a really bad shape.
Are you allowing swimming to become "one more chore/demand" in your life instead of remembering the pleasure of swimming? Have you set goals in swimming that are not being met- do you still see progress in your swimming?
Instead of taking a break, perhaps you might want to simply ponder what changes you need to make yourself feel happy again.
Sometimes you have to look at what's happening with your life and figure out what needs tweaking. If you are having personal problems or a ton of stress at work, that isn't the best time (at least for me) to aim for best times or training at a very intense level. When things are difficult, I approach my training as a restorative part of my life and do it in a way that I enjoy.
If its colder than I like for swimming (we have to swim outside all year), I take an indoor Zumba class. If I crave the quiet and meditative, I'll go to a park for a walk or practice Qigong. If I want to watch the clouds when I'm swimming, I flip over and do backstroke. Then I always stay in shape, never get into a rut with my training and then naturally can tell when I'm ready to step up my yardage and effort again.
In winter, I got to hibernation in my swimming and so I only swim so so SCY and do much better LCM and SCM. I don't beat myself up about it - it's just the way I am. I'd rather be fit and healthy all the time than swim until I hated it and end up retiring to the couch!
