3 Practices a week IS okay.

Are you coming into Masters competition several years after being a high level competitor?  I am. After being out of the pool for 14 years,  and with a little help from my brother Johnny, I found my way into Masters Swimming.

It was a bit daunting to say the least.  I was only finding time for the pool once and sometimes twice per week, swimming at most 2500m.  The anxiety around the first  upcoming swim meet was really getting to me.  All I could see were the times I use to swim.   Growing up the practice schedule was 8-11 times per week in the pool and weights 2-3 times. How was I going to swim fast on only 1-2 short  swim workouts per week?

Walking into the Etobicoke Olympium, where many high level competitions were swam, was frightening.  My stomach was sick, heart rate elevated, hands shaking.  The thought of racing here (and not as fast as my previous life) was making me wonder if I should walk out and go home before the meet even began.  Luckily for me there were a few things that changed my mind:

1. Showing my kids that following through with something is very important.
2. My competitive desire:  had to see what sort of times I could  pull off (and if I could still swim a
    100 m butterfly)
3. Most importantly ---the amazing and diverse group of people on the pool deck.

Masters swimming has people from all levels of sport.  From Former Olympians to adults learning to swim later in life.  Ages 18-100 years.  It was at this point I realized that I don't need to swim like I am 22 years old.  That the times I swam in my events that day are my new starting baseline and whatever I did before no longer mattered. That 2-3 workouts a week is sufficient to improve my "NEW" times.  Three workouts a week is okay!

As busy adults with full time careers and children getting in 8 workouts per week can be unrealistic. It is important we choose a current goal, leave the past in the past and focus on what is important for our present and future. Enjoy the opportunity to compete, maintain good health, and meet new and amazing people.  Be the best we can be for our current ability. It is still a struggle for me each day to remember this...but I enjoy a good challenge. I love to compete, and the people that I have met through Masters sports have truly enriched my life.

3 Quick Ways to Stay Motivated

Between the sewing, piano, dance recitals, work, and my training partners being out of Province for a triathlon competition, getting to the pool to swim has been a true test of my motivation. It has definitely been a challenge to make time to do the practices on my own. Sometimes it feels easier to let it go and not bother. However I know that I would be disappointed with my choice. So I found the time, dragged my butt to workouts, and felt great for doing it!

Here are a few tips to keeping that internal motivation revved up:

1. What is your WHY?
-write down your reason for staying fit. Keep it
somewhere you can easily view it on a daily basis.

2. Have a goal to work towards:
-choose an event, goal time, distance, dress size that you
want to achieve. Having something to strive for helps
keep you going when motivation is low.

3. Join a group
- It is much easier to stay on track when you have others
to be accountable to. Your training partners will count
on you just as much as you count on them to help
reach your goals.

Lastly, It is okay to have a bad day. Keeping your schedule even when tired and busy will make sure you stay on track to reach your goals. As busy adults it is easy to let our personal fitness ambitions slide to make way for children's activities, etc...Don't forget it is important to look after yourself too.