By Jamie Kolar, Swimming World College Intern.
Swimming is an all-consuming sport. It demands every part of your being: body, heart, mind and spirit. As dedicated swimmers, we have no problem giving all of ourselves to one of the things we love most in this world. We wake up to go to practice, go to school and then go back to practice and maybe find time to do homework. Somehow, we fit meals and sleep into that day as well. We gladly participate and are willing to put in the work at practice; however, our minds and bodies have a certain threshold of tolerance. There is only so much we can take at once before an overload takes place.
Photo Courtesy: Delaney Lanker
An overload of one particular thing is never a good idea. It will have diminishing marginal utility after a certain time period. An example of this that any swimmer can relate to is eating a lot of pizza. The first four slices are amazing, but as you start to become full, the satisfaction you get from eating another slice of pizza gets smaller and smaller until you no longer want any pizza for a week. The same principle also applies to an overload of swimming. It’s important to remember to keep a balance both in the water and out of the water. As the old saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
So how do you prevent overload during a demanding season? Here are three solutions to combat this feeling of overload.
Find an Outside Activity
Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr / Swimming Australia Ltd.
Swimming is great and an awesome activity no doubt, but sometimes your mind needs a break. It needs this time to think about something else that is completely unrelated to swimming or school: something that is just for pure fun and not all consuming.
Pick a hobby that you have or something that you have always wanted to try. It doesn’t have to be something you excel at, just something you can enjoy with other people. This designated time in the week will allow your mind to just have a break away from the stress of the pool and from school and you’ll find that you often come back to the pool the next day feeling refreshed.
Have a Game Day
Photo Courtesy: Joseph Gomez
The swim season can be long and taxing. Working hard at practice is essential to swimming faster at the end of the season; however, a break in the routine of doing round after round of yardage might be needed. Talk to your coach about playing a game at then end of practice one day – not for the whole time, but even 20 minutes will infuse some fun and silliness into what can be a strenuous time in the season.
The game can be swim-related or not, just so long as it is fun. Sharks and minnows is always a crowd-pleaser, and water polo can get the competitive juices flowing. It will break up the typical routine of just practicing and will serve as team building activity as well.
Find Your Own Balance
Photo Courtesy: Pexels
Swimming is an individualized sport. What works for one person may not necessarily work for you. To swim your best and have fun doing it, you need to find the right combination that makes you feel refreshed. If that means you do a few more activities outside of swimming, then that is okay.
You might have to experiment to find your perfect balance, so feel free to explore different things that you have always wanted to try. If the outside activity is not fun, then move on to something else as long as it gives you space to open up and return to the pool refreshed and ready to swim fast.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
any better way?
? superb !!