Shoulder injury and 2014 planning

Eric Towson

Hi Coach Rich,
I filled out my season planning about a week ago, hoping a persistent
shoulder injury would improve. I was hoping to do two sprint or Olympics
June. Not entirely sure how the shoulder will play out but would like to
train minus the swim for now. Where should I start? Is there a way to
back load the swimming to rest the shoulder to see how it responds?
Thanks,
Eric

Coach Rich

Hi Eric,

I'll do your SP today. Sorry for the delay.

Paul Hough

Eric - I'm not sure what your specific injury is, but for perpsective on the possible timing of a comeback, I blew out my right shoulder in a race in Sep 2012...saw a doc (partially torn rotator cuff) and started rehab telling them to get me through IM Cozumel and then I would stop. It took about 8 weeks of no swimming (and continued shoulder exercises) and then it just went away. Back to the pool in Feb 13 and by summer I was swimming lots (between 12-17K a week) and then the left shoulder goes out ... also about Sep timeframe. So I started doing exercises on my own and made it through another IM Cozumel then stopped again ... this one took about 10 weeks before it started to fade away. I'm in week 3 of my return to swim program with no issues so far. My lesson learned from last year is once I get back in swim shape then don't stop with the shoulder exercises. Apparently, I need to do them year round. Good luck with your season.