stuck on a plateau

Question
I've been swimming competitive for quite a while- eight years, and I'm almost fourteen years old. My progress has slowed down a lot, the height of my swimming was when i was 10... but now, I'm always tired at practice and I feel my love for swimming slowly going away. At meets I have NO energy, and am achieving the same times over and over. Also, I haven't grown much, and am pretty short/small for my age. I'm wondering if you have any advice or motivation for me on how to improve? I don't agree with the way my coach runs our group, he basically makes us do endless yards with barely any time to think over technique. On the weekends I take technique lessons that would be so much more useful if I could have enough time to practice instead of always have to sprint to make the intervals.

Answer
Alice,
You are NOT happy!  That is exactly what the problem is.  I hate to say it, but your mental attitude can directly affect your physical aptitude.  You are definitely stuck on a plateau.  That doesn't mean you can't still improve.

I was/am smaller for my age when I was swimming.  I had the desire though.  You have to want to improve.  I don't mean you just have to "want" it.  You have to be willing to sacrifice for it.  Once you hit puberty, it's not as easy to achieve huge gains in any sport...specifically swimming.  Each practice needs to be something you look forward to.  You need to want to attack each set.

Ok, I know that sounds really stupid and not necessarily advice for you.  You are correct.  However, it is the truth.  It sounds like there are some things you aren't liking about swimming right now.  Is there any way you can change your team...change your lane on the team...or change your coach?  You say you don't like the way your are being trained.  Is that because you don't like the work or you don't feel it's benefiting you?

From my background, I am someone who would be terrible during mid-season.  I broke down quickly.  The more yardage we did, the more tired I became.  My body just didn't recover as quickly as other swimmers.  This was not the way I swam when I tapered though.  At the end of the season, we would taper off our yardage and rest MUCH more.  I required a bit more time during our taper, but I would swim amazing at that time.  It really sucked for me to swim so slow during mid-season.  I had faith in my coaches though.  I also had some faith in myself.  I knew that I would be able to kick-butt once I tapered at the end of the season.

I too had a huge plateau from 13-16.  I was sick for a year and just didn't improve.  I kept missing my Junior National cuts for three years.  I was less than a tenth of a second off my 500 free cut and less than 2 seconds off my 1000 free cut.  It was very frustrating to keep missing it for over 2 years.  I never wanted to give up (maybe I should have).  I just wanted to go to nationals.  I knew I was capable of it.  I had the support of my friends and coaches too.  I did eventually make Junior Nationals.  It was a GREAT feeling when I did.  I then went on to Senior Nationals.  I just never gave up.

Ok, so let me recap.

1.  You need to have the right attitude.  This is probably the hardest thing to hear right now.  You might have even been told this by other people.  It's truly the first step though.

2.  What do you want out of swimming?  Once you answer this, you will be able to truly know what to do.  Be honest with yourself.  I assume you really want to swim since you took the time to write me!

3.  You might be broken down during mid-season.  Ask your coach about his/her plans are for your taper.

4.  Realize that it's not a permanent plateau.  The only difference between you and someone who is improving right now is a spark!  :-)

I hope that this helps.  I have been there.  I have seen others in your situation.  It's NOT an easy thing to deal with.  I wish you the best of luck.  Swim hard.
Eric