So yesterday I started swimming again for the first time in 4 weeks and even though it was only a relatively short time off compared to others, I started to think about what you get from swimming. Based on the list on SwimSwam for long distance swimming, I've made my own;
1. Your part of an amazing community of people
Doesn't matter where you are, for every distance swimmer have the shared background of countless hours a week spent in the pool, a chlorine aroma and countless weekends in the summer spent swimming in lakes, rivers and the oceans. Everyone knows what you go through,respect you for it and can relate to you
The group of people you train become more like family and it's something that stays with you. The people you race against during the summer become respected peers. This is a testament to our sport and the sort of people that take part.
2. You'll never be intimidated by exercise and fitness
You'll probably already know this. You've gone through the 4+ hour swims in open water and if your a sea swimmer you have the jelly fish added as an extra test to your endurance. Therefore you tend not to bat an eye lid at any physical challenge. Swimmers have ridiculously good cardiovascular fitness, and when others from different sports complain about their workout gripes it tends to fall on deaf ears.
3. The discipline, mental toughness and determination as a long distance swimmer will serve you well
You may not not enjoy training in the pool 10+ hours a week over the winter or the 6 hour qualifying swims you have to do when the water has just barely got above 13 degrees. But the discipline, mental determination and sheer bloody mindedness at times will always be with you for it to be seized upon when you find something you're passionate about!
4. Never regret anything
You do get those days where you think if I only I hadn't got shoulder problems because I over trained. These bubble to the surface every so often, but they're never worth dwelling. Focus on the here and now; how you can change thing what you do for the better to ensure it doesn't happen again. Embrace the opportunities, travelling and great places get to swim in with the sport.
5. The pool/sea will always be home
No matter where you are, you'll always be a swimmer. Some people run, some play football, but you are a swimmer. It's a sport that most don't understand or appreciate until the Olympic 10k event or the Olympic pool events roll around. Which is fine, let them have their sports, though swimming will always be yours!
Happy swimming all
André
1. Your part of an amazing community of people
Doesn't matter where you are, for every distance swimmer have the shared background of countless hours a week spent in the pool, a chlorine aroma and countless weekends in the summer spent swimming in lakes, rivers and the oceans. Everyone knows what you go through,respect you for it and can relate to you
The group of people you train become more like family and it's something that stays with you. The people you race against during the summer become respected peers. This is a testament to our sport and the sort of people that take part.
2. You'll never be intimidated by exercise and fitness
You'll probably already know this. You've gone through the 4+ hour swims in open water and if your a sea swimmer you have the jelly fish added as an extra test to your endurance. Therefore you tend not to bat an eye lid at any physical challenge. Swimmers have ridiculously good cardiovascular fitness, and when others from different sports complain about their workout gripes it tends to fall on deaf ears.
3. The discipline, mental toughness and determination as a long distance swimmer will serve you well
You may not not enjoy training in the pool 10+ hours a week over the winter or the 6 hour qualifying swims you have to do when the water has just barely got above 13 degrees. But the discipline, mental determination and sheer bloody mindedness at times will always be with you for it to be seized upon when you find something you're passionate about!
4. Never regret anything
You do get those days where you think if I only I hadn't got shoulder problems because I over trained. These bubble to the surface every so often, but they're never worth dwelling. Focus on the here and now; how you can change thing what you do for the better to ensure it doesn't happen again. Embrace the opportunities, travelling and great places get to swim in with the sport.
5. The pool/sea will always be home
No matter where you are, you'll always be a swimmer. Some people run, some play football, but you are a swimmer. It's a sport that most don't understand or appreciate until the Olympic 10k event or the Olympic pool events roll around. Which is fine, let them have their sports, though swimming will always be yours!
Happy swimming all
André