I’m not going to tell you how to workout during isolation. I’m not even going to suggest that you have to! What I am going to tell you is that it’s going to be okay. Even when you could, you didn’t have to swim everyday. You didn’t even have to swim more than a few times a week. And in fact, you can have a huge break from swimming and still come back and do awesome things.
I’ve started and stopped swimming more times than I can count. Between schizophrenic interests, lack of access to water, demanding careers, and pregnancies, swimming has alternately been my primary focus and deep in the back pocket of my life: Swim, take a break. Swim for awhile, take a long break. Swim again. Take a longer break. Swim. So I consider myself somewhat of an expert on coming back from extended breaks from swimming.
Over a decade ago, I got back into swimming after years of wavering interest and fell fast in love with open water swimming. Then quickly caught the marathon swimming bug. Shortly after which, I got pregnant; once, twice, three times – and had a kid! Then another! Out of necessity, I adopted a minimalist training program that allowed me to be a big part of my children’s lives and still do enough training to complete several marathon swims each season. In the off season, I focus much more on my people than my swimming; requiring a welcomed swimming restart just after the new year.
Overcoming adversity is as much a part of being an athlete as training; we’ll get through this.
I swam through pregnancy, but with negligible intensity. After birthing, I had to take 6-8 weeks off at which point I still had a tiny helpless baby, so I could only do so much before I was consumed with guilt and/or completely engorged with milk. Suffice to say, after having a kid, I swam when I could, and sometimes I just couldn’t.
I’ve done it before, so I know I can do it again. You can too; you will get through this. We will get through this!
In 2017, I ruptured my ear drum a month prior to my scheduled crossing of lake Memphremagog – the doctor said I could do anything that I wanted… except put my head underwater. No swimming. None whatsoever. I went on, not to finish, but to swim 8 miles. That’s right, 8! With no time in the water or a stroke to speak of for a whole month. Do you know why I got out? It wasn’t because I was gasping, tired, and out of shape, it was because I was cold, uncomfortable, and felt like I was being a horrible mom leaving my extremely demanding one year old with a friend.
During this unprecedented time, challenge yourself to be with yourself; with your people. Sit, be still. Consider what’s going on here. Make things from scratch. Write letters. Consider your impact on the land. Sit on your porch. Wave to your neighbor. Learn something new!
Try being a kid again! Play, read books, color, paint, draw, explore, learn, dance, experiment, live each day to the fullest.
I’d love to say that I’ll get on the horse and finally do the dry land training that I’ve always intended. But the truth is, I’ll write my feelings in blog posts, play LEGOs, color, draw, and paint with my kids. I’ll dabble in dry land, when my kids and time allow. Get in walks, scooter, and bike rides around the neighborhood. Experiment and try things in the kitchen that I haven’t done in years. And devise and overhaul various schedules and routines that keep everyone in my family happy.
Any amount of dry land training that you can do, is great. But taking a break for a bit won’t hurt.
When the water opens up, whether it’s a lake or your local pool, start with your form. Rebuilding is the best time to find flaws in your form and focus on a fix. Do you get out of breath quickly? Then you’re working too hard! The water holds you up! Savor every minute when we get back in. Float. Check your posture. Push the water behind you. Drive your hips. Glide like you’re flying. Get efficient in the water.
Until then, connect with us for Virtual “Swim” Practice on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 5:30 AM Pacific. We’ll talk about what’s on our mind, how we’re dealing with the situation, and maybe even visualize ourselves swimming! If you’re interested in an evening (PDT) Virtual “Swim” Practice, let me know!