Hello I need a little help. I am a basketball player actually I used to be for the past 6 years. I am 18.I was the one of the top talents in my country but a couple consecutive injuries won't let me play anymore and it is really hard for me to quit bball 'cause it is someting similar to quitting life... now I am gonna start practicing swimming cause I need to get away from all the thoughts about bball and my dreams not coming true.I want to achieve something in swimming.I know it may seem crazy to u that an 18 year old girl may want to start swimming and achieve something but I am really hardworking and I know I can do it. I know it is gonna be really hard and I will want to quit maybe thousands of times but I think it is worth it. Can u tell me like what keeps u motivated in swimming,what do u think while racing or u don't think at all and just swim... 'cause the mental work is a lot different than the one in basketball and I need a little help about this Can u tell me how do u prepare before a swimming meet and etc thank u in advance

Basketball is not a burden for me it was a passion that left me empty now when it is gone!

I would like to help you but I'm not very good at explaining things... So why don't you IM me at swimchick5272 or email me at swimchick5272@aim.com and I'll try to answer any questions you have.

its not as unusual as you mite think. people like matt welsh( aussie backstroker) didnt start swimming till really late in his teens i think it was a bout 16 and hes a former world record holder and a olympic, world and commonwealth champion. yes it will be very hard but dont let that get to you. if you start feeling really tired from swimming just remember that a runner would need to run a marathon everyday in order to do the same sort of physical exertion that a swimmer does( if they do 10 ks a day).
during training i find it helps to sing songs to myself and try not to think about pain because pain is inevitable if you let it happen and not concentrate on it then it wont hurt half as bad. but definetly remember to stretch after a big set or do a large warm down.
before a race probably much like before a free throw in basketball just reasure yourself that you can do it. ian thorpe once sed that he doesnt think about his technique wen he swims he lets his body do wat its trained to do. so find a song/ memory/ feeling that gets your blood pumping and adrenalin running and once you get on the block take a few deep breaths and wen that starting buzzer goes just let it rip. a good quote i found sed (along these lines) swimthe first half of your race with your head(meaning be smart about pacing) and swim the second half with your heart.

i hope this helps

Desire + Dedication + Direction = Determined Destiny