The last month or so swimming has become a very frustrating experience for me. I really feel exhausted in the water, like I’m swimming in molasses, and I keep cutting workouts short and feeling like I want to cry. I have IMLP coming up and this problem is starting to stress me out a lot. Any ideas how to fix? Thanks!
Some info for diagnostic purposes: Generally I’m a MOP-er as far as swim splits. I did go through a phase where I was only swimming 1-2 times a week for a couple of weeks. This has never been a problem before though. Yesterday, in the pool, my 100 splits were 10-20 seconds slower than usual I have changed to a different pool (roughly correlates with these problems) and swimming time - 2 PM instead of evenings My body is always exhausted when I get out of the water. This is not how swimming normally feels to me. I’ve been doing lots of power cycling and long run workouts. They’re going fine - but any chance that the lack of stretching has created a flexibility problem apparent only in my swimming?
What other questions can I answer? Again, thank you!
I’ve been doing lots of power cycling and long run workouts. They’re going fine - but any chance that the lack of stretching has created a flexibility problem apparent only in my swimming?
I doubt it. Any chance lots of power cycling and long runs have just worn you down a bit?
My guess is that you are peaking in your volume for all three sports and are just tired. Just keep up with the swimming, don’t worry about the splits. Just put in the yardage. Once you tapper and cut your volume you should start feeling better. Also, try swimming first thing in the morning, you might be fresher.
Thanks - it’s entirely possible. But then, why would I not also be having problems doing more cycling/running? Maybe that’s the mental piece of the equation. I’m enjoying my running/cycling workouts so even though they’re hard I don’t mind. hmm…
I get days like this where it feels like I’m swimming in pudding (as many STers know I have a thing for chocolate Jello pudding…mmmm…). Anyways, I remember asking the on-deck coach WTF? Why? was my balance/position off? he asked why do I think I was swimming slower than usual? I said because it feels so hard today. He said it’s all in your mind. At first I took it to mean that I was imagining that I was swimming slower than usual. I timed the next 100, was about 5sec slower (which is nothing really - could be accounted for swimming at a steady vs. a strong speed). SO I said to the coach that I was only about 5 sec slower but it still felt hard, harder than usual. He said “Some days it feels hard, some days it feels easy. But no matter what it’s all in your head.”
I then thought “faster” thoughts not “harder” thoughts on my next 100, like “smooth is fast, make each stroke count, don’t force it, feel the water on your arms the whole time,” etc… And I was faster.
It’s was all in my head. I was still more tired than usual, it happens when training like we triathletes tend to do… but once I wrapped my brain around the fact that swimming is about ECONOMY in the water, and not about POWER (i.e.: muscling thru the swim) and that my ability to swim economically was being directly affected by my perception/belief that I was slow (i.e.: “it’s all in my head”) and that I had to use power to get faster, I since get less tired in my swim workouts and I swim faster & longer in general.
We tri folks like to buy gear, train our bodies, and plan our training out like we’re OCDers. But train our mind? Many of us do not.
I have changed to a different pool (roughly correlates with these problems)
What are the odds that you went from a yard pool to a meters pool? We have a couple of gyms here in town that have a yard pool indoors and a meter pool outdoors.
It might not be your swimming at all. The first place I notice I need a rest is not on my bike or on a run, but in the pool. The difference being that if I need a break from swimming, my swim-specific muscles feel tired or sore. However if I my swim-specific muscle aren’t specifically feeling bad, rather my energy level in general feels low then I know I need to dial back just a tad. The interesting thing is that I really never noticed this phenomenon untill I started swimming 4 times/week.
Now this is eerie. Right after I posted this, and before I went out to run just now I was thinking about various “well-known” STers and I thought - “I haven’t seen a post from AndyPants in awhile.” And here you are! Premonition I guess.
Anyhow, thanks for the advice. I think it’s really a combination of things going on (what you and others have pointed out) but that the key to mastering it, other than rest, will be the mental strategy. I’ve got a long swim tonight (in the “friendlier” pool), will try your suggestions and post an update!
Yeah I was on the road the last week+ (course on financial management YUCK, then a break at the cabin to catch some super sweet leaping rainbows and burn some marshmallows, then in Bal’more working with our US staff getting them all sorted out on ITAR and CMMi). Did ZERO training, and I feel like shit from eating & sleeping like crap and drinking waaaaay too much
I’ve been doing lots of power cycling and long run workouts. They’re going fine - but any chance that the lack of stretching has created a flexibility problem apparent only in my swimming?
Ummm, no offense, but why the hell aren’t you stretching?
No offense taken, Colin! I’m lazy as hell, that’s why. Getting out the door to train takes all the discipline I have! I’m sure I’d probably be a much better athlete if I got stretching back into my schedule. I do confess, though, that I am quite a bit more flexible than the average bear according to any time I have it checked. For example, I can not only bend over and touch my toes, I can put my palms flat on the floor. Now, I’m not as flexible through the hips as I should be. My boyfriend can put his leg behind his head, and I can’t. Boo-hoo for him I guess!
Guess what - you were right! A shift of perception (ok, and a shift back into the “old” pool and “old” swimming time) helped a lot! And now I’m done boring everyone else with my obsession du jour, I’ve posted a new boring question.
I had the same experience this evening, with much slower times than normal. Different pool, much warmer water than both pools that I regularly use. Also felt more chlorinated. Different coast, too – I’m in Connecticut this week, far away from home in California, so there’s always a potential jet lag factor, I guess.
All probably exacerbated by the fact that I’m very much a beginner compared to the rest of you, having had to start virtually from ground zero a couple of months ago. Still hoping to be ready to do an Oly in September…
