Should I keep swimming?

Question

Well I'm really discouraged because I've had overall a not very good season. I've been swimming since I was about 12, now I'm 15. I guess my best strokes are free (I go a 58 in the 100yd) and back (2:22 in the 200yd). Today I had a meet and I added 9 sec in the 200 free, 6 sec to my 200 back, and a whopping 10 sec to my 200 fly. I did horribly at the last meet as well. I keep trying to work harder in practice but it seems I can't improve. I love my friends on the team, the exercise, and it makes me feel good because I'm one of the better ones on my high school and summer teams. So even if I'm not olympic material, are these good enough reasons to keep swimming?

Also do you think I should I swim at the meet tomorrow..I'm thinking about going to cheer as I feel I've done enough damage to my self-esteem today, however my coach might not be too happy..

Thanks.

Answer 1

ya!

Answer 2

if you like it yeah if not then no, if you're doing it only to improve and you don't enjoy it stop and try to find another sport you like

Answer 3

You don't have to be "good" to do anything.

I completely suck at baseball, but I love it.

Answer 4

Swimming is such a good fitness.

If you enjoy doing it then deffinatley go for it.

Keep at it.

Don't let yourself down. You'll regret it.

Answer 5

Swimmers sometimes hit a plateau. You just have to work through it. Also, because you are a teenager, you go through different growth spurts. The growth disrupts your swimming, so it takes time to readjust to the new body shape and length. Keep working through it! it will get better!

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

yes i really think so because u are a great swimmer and u have to keep trying

Answer 8

never give up is my moto when i started playing guitar i wasnt getting better for months i thought is this it? people were saying be a bassist or something and i said no im not giving up and now people know me as the best around you know you sound like a exelent swimmer and i thinkt you should swim no matter what never give up and you could go a very long way and its brilliant for the fitness remember never give up! if you do swim please tell me how it goes                             (     [e-mail]    ) and you can tell me if im of any help or if im just chating rubbish lol good luck for if you do swim :):):)

Answer 9

s***w what anyone else thinks and follow your heart.

Answer 10

Keep swimming, this is just a slump

Answer 11

keep swimmin' girl! or boy!

Answer 12

do what u feel like...

Answer 13

of course u should compete!!!!!

i do gymnastics and when my self-esteem is low and i dont think i can do anything my performance comes out crappy

just think about what u are doing at that moment and focus on it real hard saying "i know i can do this!"

it should be ur pleasure to compete in the meet

u get to show off what u have been working on

and u should still cheer on ur teammates and even if u dont do the greatest that will make u want to work harder and do better next time

at least that is what i would do because i know i can do better and i want to prove it to myself and to everyone else

hope this helps!!

Answer 14

You seem to genuinely enjoy swimming and being w/ your teammates/friends.    You are probably in a growth spurt right now and that could affect your times.  Being an olympic level swimmer isn't the "whole ball of wax."   Being on the team is a fabulous experience even in an of itself.  Yes, it's nice to do well once in a while .  I wouldn't skip any meets and I wouldn't stress out about your times .  GIve yourself a few months. Sometimes you can overtrain and your times will get worse instead of better.  Relax, enjoy the water, keep up your practices and meets, and enjoy the companionship of your teammates.     I think you should relax and swim the meet tomorrow and make your goal "to finish with style and a smile."   Good luck.    I'm on a non-competitive synchronized swim team and the companionship is just as important as the show we put on.   Hang in there.

Answer 15

yes

my brother and i both swam in school neather of os were ever good enugh to make the olmpics but he did get a swimming scolership.  while i waset even that good i enjoyed the exersise and the friends. it was a great time and well had i not ben swimming on both my high school and a uss team i wold probbly not have met my husband

Answer 16

Im A fellow Swimmer... Dont Worry... You Had A Bad Day... So What... Out OF the 3 years you hav been swimming you av had 2 hav a bad day or even a bad weekend... Just Practice and you will get out of the hard spots... All U need is good mental atitude and to b fit... You Will get there. through your swimming career you will hav those bad moments but u also will hav the good moments... I would definetaly keep swimming... but if u r really miserable with it then stop but i dont think you want 2 b a quiter over a stupid little bad day or even a stupid little bad weekend...

Answer 17

Hey... don't let yourself get down likie this. Swimming is one of the best exercises your body can have. Don't compare yourself to other people when it comes to times etc etc.... just remind yourself that lifes too short to let yourself get down just becuase your swim times aren't olympic standard.

I used to be state champ in Australia back in school but realised I wasn't going to make the olympics. It never stopped me from enjoying the sport. That is what it's all about.

Answer 18

well you should defiantly keep swimming.

all your times are really good for a 15 year old girl and you have good friends on the team. plus, trust me after you quit you'll have nothing to do. You probally just had one bad meet. And listen to your coach, but don't get mad if he's not too happy