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?
Former Member
I too swim solo for the most part. Masters program doesn't mesh well with my schedule as I work nights as a nurse. Tough to keep motivated sometimes. I really like the coaches for the local program here in the area. Each has their own style of coaching and will challenge you in different ways. One is all about form and precision and gives you constant feedback. Also one that that pushes intensity. It's a good mix and I enjoy that environment when I can make a practice.
Goodness, I swim the *** stroke like a one-legged frog and my butterfly is a complete joke. At the moment it's hard for me to swim a lap because my neck is hurting and I'm still in pt so haven't been able to get in the pool more than once a week. I struggle along, though, and if I didn't have the constant pain I'd be happy to stick with freestyle and wouldn't give a hoot about my hilariously awful butterfly or my frog-less *** stroke. Just get in the pool, enjoy yourself, and don't worry how good or not you are.
Thank you all! You are right, I shouldn't give up. I found another Masters Swim club near home, checking to see if I can fit in. It's going to be additional $$$ but if I find a good coach and club, it would be worth it. In the meantime, for the fellow solo swimmers out there, what would you recommend to do? Drills vs swimming as a workout? How many days in a week do you actually swim vs do drills?
Here is what I do, generally. I keep the warm-up (first 800-1000 yards) basically the same, so I can see how/if I am progressing. When I am really out of shape, that is pretty much my workout. Then I add different main sets, then cool down (200 yards).
Warmup:
200 free (broken if needed -- 4 easy 50s at first)
200 *** (same deal)
200 pull/kick drill -- 2x25 free pulls w/buoy focusing on cadence, dps, breathing every 3, 2x25 free kick, repeat
200 pull/kick drill, ***
200 either underwater *** or shooters (dolphin with fins), broken into 25s + 25 recovery free
As a bridge, I either swim 2x100 IM or a 200 IM, stretching it out.
Then I do main sets working on different things, like most other posted workouts. Usually another 1000-1200. I keep things grouped into 200s so I can keep track of what I've done more easily.
Then 200 cool down -- Br on back for 25, then Br for 25, easy back for 25, then free. Repeat until I can breathe, usually 200.
Thank you all! You are right, I shouldn't give up. I found another Masters Swim club near home, checking to see if I can fit in. It's going to be additional $$$ but if I find a good coach and club, it would be worth it. In the meantime, for the fellow solo swimmers out there, what would you recommend to do? Drills vs swimming as a workout? How many days in a week do you actually swim vs do drills?
Just wanted to share this article by GAME sports psychologist Dr. Jennifer Lager on staying motivated when willpower is not enough. Hope it's helpful! www.swimspire.com/.../
I just got back from the spine doctor and she told me to give up swimming. She said it's going to continue hurting my shoulder and it's not natural for people to be in the water so whatever I do is distorting my body. I'm so depressed the only thing I want right now is a huge chunk of cake. Even trying to tell her I'm aligned when I swim was like watching water roll off a duck's back. Then she went on to say it could be worse that we're only talking about a change in my exercise and not some terrible disease. I was stunned and walked away wondering if she has ever even been in the water or watched a good swimmer (which I'm not but hey). And cycling is out because it's an unnatural position, so I'm supposed to stick to the recumbant and walking and the elliptical but no arm motion. Oh, and she took x-rays and I have degenerative spine disease so I'm headed for another MRI. Pfffffffft on today.
Sorry. I just needed to vent.:censor:
@DeniseMW:
So sorry - that just sucks :(
Two words: second opinion (or even third). Find someone who understands sports/works with athletes. I'm hoping she's just one of those doctors that doesn't get it and that you can find one who does...
Crossing my fingers for you!!!
@DeniseMW:
So sorry - that just sucks :(
Two words: second opinion (or even third). Find someone who understands sports/works with athletes. I'm hoping she's just one of those doctors that doesn't get it and that you can find one who does...
Crossing my fingers for you!!!
+1 You did it again 'bears; you beat me to it and took the words right out of my fingers! That's exactly what I was going to say. :chug:
I got the opposite advice. I was a runner for 40 yrs and got spinal arthritis pinching a nerve. The pain shot up to 11. I could not sleep for days. I could not eat and lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. I was told no more running. Got a second and third opinion. No more running. They showed me the X-rays and explained in detail what and why. I rested and did rehab for a month. Now walking is OK and swimming is preferred. I can still even do 200 pushups in my morning routine, no pain, so here I am a new swimmer. My shifting vertebrae are in the lower back which does not twist much when swimming and there is no impact. Now it does not hurt at all. I would assume your spinal problem is upper, neck and shoulder area, which could present a problem regardless of how good your technique is. Listen to them, spinal problems are serious business.
Must agree with gobears.
"Even trying to tell her I'm aligned when I swim was like watching water roll off a duck's back. Then she went on to say it could be worse that we're only talking about a change in my exercise and not some terrible disease."
that reminds me of a surgeon I once had. That is a nightmare I'm still living down. You have my sympathies, because I can feel for that.
