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?
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!
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!
