Or not… 🙂

I’ve a mind that swimming should be fun. Anything you do, really should have a certain amount of fun in it.  Yeah, I know, there is drudgery in everything. 

But if it’s all a chore, either do something else or figure out a way to get some fun out of it.

I read through posts on different swim communities on Facebook.  Lap swimmers.  Over 60 swimmers. Etc. 

Some comments are a bit over the top at times. “You should do things this way or that way.” 

I help swimmers at my pool.  I coach them and also take videos above and below water.  Post on Youtube so they can see how they are doing and we can work on correction.

Occasionally, I ask other swimmers if they would like to be videoed.  Recently, one reply was, ‘No, I’m quite happy doing what I do.  And if I saw my stroke, I might feel the need to change it and I’m quite happy doing what I’m doing.

This person is quite happy with her swim ability and seems quite happy as a person.  No need to change. 

A lot of lap swimmers just want some minor improvements or corrections so they are not getting exhausted or over straining their shoulders. 

I met a woman, a triathlete, several years ago in the pool in Calgary.  She looked exhausted.  Said her coach wanted her to swim more, a lot more.  She was not having anywhere close to fun.  In fact, I believe she was pretty close to collapse.  At time I didn’t think it was my place to say anything.  Looking back, I know that if this sort of thing happened again, I’d minimally tell her to get some rest.  Rest is a big part of getting in shape.

And figure out a way to have some fun, some joy in what she was doing. 

I do know that one needs real drive to accomplish certain goals.  But please find a way to enjoy the ride.