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.