The “Off” Season: How to Rest Without Ruining Your Next Season

Photo Courtesy: Mark Mitchell

By Nikki Cannon, Swimming World College Intern

You have made it! Congratulations, you have survived to see the glory days of swimming. You have survived the early mornings, hard dryland workouts, terrible races and made it to the coveted weeks in the year– the very little time in which we can take a break from the pool and finally relax.

When I was swimming (especially once I reached my collegiate career), I longed for the days in which I could sleep in, eat straight Nutella for breakfast, and lounge around all day watching Netflix without a care in the world.

However, it’s important to remember that while it’s crucial to rest and reset, it’s also vital to see this time as a opportunity to revamp for your next season.

Photo Courtesy: USA Pentathlon

But wait, wait, wait! I’m not saying that in your limited time off that you need to become a marathon runner! Here’s some tips on how to make the most of your time out of the water.

1. Do FUN Activities

Photo Courtesy: Local Fitness

The fact of the matter is, swimming forces you do things you don’t like all the time! Don’t spend your time off feeling like you have to do some kind of workout that your dread. Go to yoga, start rollerblading, do something that makes you happy!

The key is to be active while still enjoying your time off. I think some of the big mistakes people make when they have time off is either forcing themselves to workout, or simply not working out at all. View this time as a time to recharge (your early morning workouts will be here in no time), but not a time to lose all the work you put in last season.

2. Care (a little) About What You Are Eating

Photo Courtesy: Linda Nylind

This was something I personally really struggled with during down times. I found myself either obsessing over what I was eating and feeling guilty when I ate something bad, or throwing up my hands and eating everything and anything I could manage. The key, as it often seems is the case in life, is balance.

It’s fine to treat yourself, maybe even a little more than you usually would while in season, but you probably shouldn’t eat the whole tub of Nutella I mentioned earlier. Likewise, obsessing over what you eat while you’re not in the full swing of training does nothing to benefit you either. Maybe you can take the time to cook different, fun recipes that you wouldn’t have otherwise!

3. Reevaluate…

During this sacred time off, it probably seems like swimming should be the last thing on our minds. However, time out of the water is the perfect time to objectively analyze how the past season has gone. Sometimes, in the midst of the long practices, early mornings, school, and life in general, it can be very difficult to rationally see how things are going.

Besides the obvious goals you did or did not meet, there are many facets that we can start to look at. The little accomplishments, friendships made, your body’s health, your emotional well being, all of these factors can impact your long term goals.

How did you do? What can you do better? Are there things you need to change in order to meet those big goals, and how are you going to do that? Of course, these are all things we ask ourselves while goal setting, but it’s helpful to start asking yourself these questions outside of the pool can produce clearer answers.

I hope you enjoy this time out of the water, and take a moment to have fun!

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

3 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Aiden Smith

8 years ago

Jaden Harris

Jessica Bauer

8 years ago

Isabelle Bauer

Jessica Bauer

8 years ago

Isabelle Bauer