I am storming for a simple 10 laps every other day where I get bored - beyond that number. Unlike run or bike - I have a constant change of scenery to occupy my mind. I see finis has some underwater mp3 header gear, does anyone use them? Any similar products out there? What do you do to bang out 20+ laps?
I overcome this by swimming with a masters group three days a week. If I go solo though, I have to have a written down plan before I jump in. If I just have it in my head, I’m the same as you. I just do a warm up, say I’ll do some 100s, then quit a few in. Same thing happens when I’m on the trainer or treadmill without a plan.
fear of drowing
Actually, motivation waxes and wanes - for me that means shift to a different focus, eg. run a lot for a few months, then get to swimming after
you need one of these…
I am storming for a simple 10 laps every other day where I get bored - beyond that number. Unlike run or bike - I have a constant change of scenery to occupy my mind. I see finis has some underwater mp3 header gear, does anyone use them? Any similar products out there? What do you do to bang out 20+ laps?
I enjoy the quiet of swimming. No cars, no people, no bad weather, no cell phones, the list goes on and on - its one of the few times you have complete quiet. And opposed to open water - there are no sharks, gators, fish, snakes, etc.
For me, following a pre-packaged training plan has made all the difference. Before, I’d swim the same couple of workouts day in day out and, like you, get bored out of my skull and not last more than 30 minutes or so. But for the last 12 weeks I’ve been following a swimming plan. The plan has great variety, which in itself helps. And having the goal of finishing each workout really helps me stay focused and in the pool.
Every single stroke counts. If you apply this, you never get bored because you forget about length etc, and think about your form. Reps helps too to break down the sessions. Use the clock to time every 100 m.
I’m always racing the clock
jaretj
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duathlon?
It’s supposed to be boring. Makes you Hard! 80% of my riding is on a Computrainer. And I spend a reasonable amount of time on the treadmill too. MP3 players are for the weak minded:)
Getting faster is all the motivation I need.
join a master’s swim team… you’ll have people to train with and motivate you. Plus, I can guarantee that you’ll get faster!
I have two ladies that come to talk and then go for a swim. I try to see how many yards I can roll out before they decide to swim. Somewhere around 1,500 to 2,000 is what I get. Sad but true
I overcome this by swimming with a masters group three days a week. If I go solo though, I have to have a written down plan before I jump in. If I just have it in my head, I’m the same as you. I just do a warm up, say I’ll do some 100s, then quit a few in. Same thing happens when I’m on the trainer or treadmill without a plan.
Agreed. To butcher an otherwise OK quote “swimming without a plan is a plan not to swim”… meh, it was worth a shot.
I use this to keep me structured and on track. Cheaper than a masters group and can be done on my own schedule.
I thought about the music players to take to swimming but decided against it. I look at swimming as a form of relaxation even when I am doing hard sets of 100s. However, it also can get boring but I find myself more motivated when I watch or learn about new techniques to go and try them. I also swim late in the day and personally find it better than morning swims and get better sleep after a hard swim workout than say a hard bike or run session.
It’s supposed to be boring. Makes you Hard! 80% of my riding is on a Computrainer. And I spend a reasonable amount of time on the treadmill too. MP3 players are for the weak minded:)
I love to swim but even so it does not make me hard. Probably would create too much drag anyway.
Makes ya swim straight;)
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you need one of these…
http://waterfi.com/waterproof-ipod-shuffle
Yup…amazing how much faster the time goes.
Try swimming with someone or a group, seems to make it easier. Mix up the set.
As for motivation, I have goals, and they require me to be in the pool. Thats all it takes for me.
Buck
Whats the motivation?
How about just putting in the yards so you can get faster. You need to train your mind as well as your body and if you need to rely on music playing or watching the scenery, you’ll never develope the mental toughness that longer races require.