Hey, solo swimmers! :wave: Welcome to the thread for all of us who train solo. Whether you train on your own due to a lack of a Masters team in your area (or for any other reason), this is our virtual locker room. Please post training tips that you think would be helpful, or anything else you would like to share with the rest of us. Have a rant? Go ahead and vent here! :rantonoff:
I'll start with a tip:
The most frustrating thing for me training solo is not having a coach on deck to evaluate my stroke and keep me on track, so I bought a waterproof camera and enlisted the help of my husband to periodically shoot video of all four strokes. Shooting underwater video became a knee/back buster, so I bought a camera mount and attached it to PVC pipe, so my husband could stand up straight to shoot underwater video. The camera gets dunked underwater, and he twists the pipe to pan the camera as I swim by.
Today, I bought a 2-pack of 12-inch "Gear Tie" reusable rubber twist ties (available at Home Depot), so I can tie the PVC pipe to the pool ladder (located in the corner of the pool) and shoot video myself. (If I angle the camera just right and keep it on wide angle, I can video me coming and going.)
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After each video session, I upload the videos to my desktop computer and compare my stroke to my favorite Go Swim stroke videos to see what I'm doing well (or not). I also post them on the Forums for feedback.
Ok, solo swimmers, what's your tip?
I also enjoyed Elaine K's post. I think one thing I see as a huge problem is people unwilling to go out of the comfort zone. That means I'll only swim the one stroke I like, or am good at, or is easy. Continuously challenge yourself in an area. I find that is a key issue. Too many won't do it.
Thanks, Nichollsvi!
I respectfully disagree with your statement that it's a "huge problem" when people are unwilling to go out of their comfort zone. Masters swimming is ultimately an individual sport. In my opinion, it's up to the individual to do what makes them happy. For some people, the stress of going outside their comfort zone outweighs any happiness they would have doing so. Isn't masters swimming all about doing what makes you happy? Some people are perfectly happy swimming one stroke that they like, are good at, and find easy to swim. Different strokes for different folks-- pun intended. :D
Elaine, I find your articles very inspiring. :banana:
Thanks, Denise! That was my intention, so I'm glad I accomplished my goal. :agree:
I also enjoyed Elaine K's post. I think one thing I see as a huge problem is people unwilling to go out of the comfort zone. That means I'll only swim the one stroke I like, or am good at, or is easy. Continuously challenge yourself in an area. I find that is a key issue. Too many won't do it.
Thanks, Nichollsvi!
I respectfully disagree with your statement that it's a "huge problem" when people are unwilling to go out of their comfort zone. Masters swimming is ultimately an individual sport. In my opinion, it's up to the individual to do what makes them happy. For some people, the stress of going outside their comfort zone outweighs any happiness they would have doing so. Isn't masters swimming all about doing what makes you happy? Some people are perfectly happy swimming one stroke that they like, are good at, and find easy to swim. Different strokes for different folks-- pun intended. :D
Elaine, I find your articles very inspiring. :banana:
Thanks, Denise! That was my intention, so I'm glad I accomplished my goal. :agree:
