Help! I need swim inspiration

[Bluetree]

aka Swimspiration!

I've been very lax in getting to my swim workouts lately. I've made every excuse in the book to avoid it, but I've only been to the pool once in the last two weeks. And it's been more than 3 weeks since my last significant workout.

Why? One reason I could think of is that I'd rather be running or riding my bike. The weather's been great and I've been seeing terrific gains in my run and bike performance. Plus, it's fun.

Truth is, I'm finding my swim workouts B-O-R-I-N-G. Staring at that black line, back and forth, back and forth, for over an hour is mind-numbingly dull. I'd rather blow it off altogther, but I start ocean swimming practice in a few months and need the base training.

Anyone have any ideas about making laps fun and exciting? I can't afford one of those swim-pods right now, but they sure look good.

[Bikingmomof3]

I do not have a solution for you. I find biking on my trainer to be mind numbing and have yet to find a way to fix that. I love swimming. I do zone out, but I like the quiet and solitude. Hopefully someone will have an answer for you.

[anakiwa]

Is there a masters group you can join?

I'm never very motivated to train for the swim (it's one of my goals for this year to do better). In fact I did a triathlon with a .75 mile swim last summer when I had only swum once since the summer before (unfortunately my swim time showed it too).

Some folks I know organized a weekly swim workout. Someone puts together a workout and a bunch of people show up and swim together. I find I'm much more able to motivate in the swim this way, than if I had to go to the pool and swim on my own (I much prefer outdoor exercise).

So if there's a masters group you could join, or a group of friends you could organize, that might be a way to motivate.

[tygab]

Blue,

I did my first swim workout today and was dreading it, because I haven't swam in ages (probably about 7 years since I did any laps). But in truth it was pretty fun and seemed like a welcome break from all the trainer and treadmill I have been doing. I guess it's perspective, I don't feel inspired to be outside at this time of year (without snow). Of course, we did just have the warmest December on record, so that shouldn't be a deterrent but it is.

Anyway, I don't really know how to make it more fun, but do you try to play games with the laps? I sort of did tonight. Like, one lap I right breathed, one lap I left breathed. Etc. At least it seems less like just going up and down the lanes.

[Offthegrid]

I actually find swimming very relaxing. I like to go before work because then by the time I get to work I'm wide awake and ready for anything. But at the same time it is really tough to get up so early and this time of year it's pitch dark when I leave for the gym. So I have been blowing off some swim workouts lately, too.

Can you think of a way to make the workouts more fun -- maybe by trying things you haven't done before? Try a new stroke or work on something you enjoy even if it's not necessarily going to benefit you for triathlon. For example, I luv diving in, so sometimes I dive in (the deep end) before and after my workout. Maybe even make it a mini-triathlon by getting on the bike afterwards and riding straight from the pool if you can. Or even a piece of dark chocolate has been known to get me to the pool.

[KSH]

Well, for me... the only way I can get in the water, and stay focused, is by having a workout to follow on the side of the pool.

I use the Swim Workouts in a Binder book. I just take in the yards one set at a time, and before I know it, I'm done.

Without my workout book, I get bored very quickly, lose focus and get out after 20 minutes. Otherwise, I typically put in around 2400-2600 yards in about 45 minutes. The time flies, when I have a workout to follow.

Now, how FAR are you swimming? You stated you are swimming over an hour? Maybe you need to scale back the yardage? Or only commit to swimming for x amount of minutes. What about running a couple of miles and then 30 minutes in the pool? That might change it up some.

Finally, you have to try to commit to swimming 1 day a week. You KNOW you have to do it... or else you will pay for it later on. Right?

Again, maybe if you add some running or even biking before the swim, it might be more tolerable?

Good luck!

[Bluetree]

Over the last six months, I have swum quite religiously... I'd time myself over 2 miles once a week. But lately, I just can't stand going to the gym.
Perhaps because the weather has been so beautiful lately. Sure it's a bit nippy in the morning, but nothing beats a climb up the bluffs while watching your breath steaming in front of you. Then you reach the peak, overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean as dawn breaks above it. <sigh>

KSH- What is the Swim Workouts in a Binder?

anakiwa- There is a Masters swimming class at the pool across the street from me. I went there once and was just blown away by the pace. Even the slowest lanes were filled with serious swimmers. A friend of mine, who won his AG at the LA Tri uses that slow lane! I took one look and slunk away with my towel between my legs!

OTG- You know, I used to find swimming very relaxing. For some strange reason, it has transformed into "boring". I'm not sure why, it just has.
Chocolate? Well I don't like chocolate... I like hamburgers! (But I don't think the gym would like it if I tossed a Carl's Famous Star into their pool)

[KSH]

Bluetree, here is the information.

Workouts in a Binder: Swim Workouts for Triathletes
by Gale Bernhardt, Nick Hansen

From the Publisher
Triathletes who hope to improve their swimming too often mix and match workouts or workout segments with no particular goal. The workouts in this set provide a handy, compact, inspiring — and waterproof — program. Written by an elite-level triathlon and cycling coach, and a former U.S. National Team swimming coach, the book comprises seven workout categories: Anaerobic Endurance Speed, Anaerobic Endurance Form, Force Speed, Force Form, Muscular Endurance Speed, Muscular Endurance Form, and Muscular Endurance Distance. The variety of workouts included and their ease of use keep the process engaging and allow users to more easily achieve elusive swimming goals. Workouts in a Binder can easily be used in conjunction with triathlon training manuals such as Training Plans for Multisport Athletes or The Triathlete’s Training Bible, or as stand-alone workouts for swimmers. Illustrated throughout, a bound set of waterproof workout cards for triathletes at all levels is also included.

Trust me, if you have a planned workout, then the time goes by quicker.

Also, if you think you can makeup for "lost" time in the pool, why not focus on biking and running and hit the pool later?

I took about 3 months off of swimming 2006, because I didn't have tri's coming up and when I did have one scheduled, I knew I could swim a few times and still make the sprint distance no problem. If you can do that... when why not?

[Offthegrid]

Those workouts in a binder -- are there workouts that are under 2,000 meters? I should get something like that but realistically I'm not going to be able to do more than 1,500 meters because I'm so slow.

[KSH]

Those workouts in a binder -- are there workouts that are under 2,000 meters? I should get something like that but realistically I'm not going to be able to do more than 1,500 meters because I'm so slow.

Well, some of them are, but not many.

The best thing to do, is to trim them down yourself. I did this for my boyfriend.

For example, if it says swim 4x200, you just swim 1x200. Or whatever you like. It's pretty easy to trim them down on the fly at the pool. You know what you can and can't do.

The good thing, is that it will give you workouts to grow into.

[Bluetree]

Thanks K - the book's on it's way from Amazon!

[Wahine]

Thanks KSH, I think I'll order that one too. I love having preplanned swim workouts.

Wahine.

[KSH]

Dang! I wish I got some credit for helping to sell their book! HA!

I hope the book works out for both of you ladies.

[mcoleman]

There may be more than one masters program or practice in your area. I would talk with the coach and ask if there is another practice where you might feel more comfortable. I just learned to swim a three years ago and it took a year before I worked up the nerve to go to a masters workout (even though DH had been going for years). I am still in the slow lane, but I've gotten much better and I have learned a lot from swimming with better swimmers. All of that being said, there is another masters group in our area that is really good. From what I hear, their new coach is awesome, but I am scared to go to one of their practices. DH goes when he is doing IM training (it's a 50m pool vs our 25) and he is in one of the slower lanes.
We also try to find masters workouts when we travel and each one is different, so shop around.