Unlike some of my more recent blog posts, this one was a bit more fun to write. January was my two year swim anniversary. Somehow (and I'm not sure how), I stuck it out in this God forsaken sport! I had three major meltdowns along the way and all things considered, I don't think that's a horrible average.
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| December Open Water Swim in Long Branch NJ |
My last (and worst) meltdown happened in April 2015. I had a panic attack in the pool over the thought that I couldn't swim long distance without stopping. After a year and thee months of dedicating my time to swimming, I believed I should be more than able to complete distance without stopping, yet somehow my mind didn't believe. This non-belief weighed me down. And it was at that moment, on that very day, when I bumped in to a triathlete friend who talked me off the ledge. His advice? Force myself to swim 1 non-stop mile. Just do it! If you don't push yourself, its never going to happen. I found the first 1/4 mile to be the most difficult and it did require mental pushing, but after that I was able keep going comfortably.
After that day everything about swimming suddenly improved, including my mental attitude. I learned something about my inner-self. I had a new belief in myself and that I was put on this "swim journey" for a reason. What the exact reason was, I wasn't 100% sure. But there was something there. After Tommy's cancer diagnosis, swimming became my biggest salvation when everything felt out of control. Running and bicycling helped to clear my mind but swimming...there was something about being in the open water that fulfilled my soul in a way that running and bicycling didn't. It felt, for a lack of better words, magical. Like I had crossed into another world.
And that's a feeling I never anticipated experiencing two years ago. I never thought I would fall in love with open water swimming, especially since swimming was my enemy for the longest time. And just when I was at that breaking point in April, a little miracle happened. I discovered the raw beauty and peace that open water swimming offered. If you are able to let go of the mental chain that holds you down, it becomes an unexpected gift. Maybe it was the way the horizon would gently light up as the early morning sun rose over the ocean. Maybe it was the way the water glistened with each spectacular sunset. Maybe it was the way the dolphins swam and jumped through the ocean waters without a care in the world. Maybe it was the way the water would rush past my face as I swam across the lake surrounded by fellow triathletes. There was something new that wasn't there before.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT SWIMMING OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS?
* First and foremost, you are NEVER too old to learn to swim. It may be a bit more challenging when you're older, but it's worth it.
* If you are swimming in triathlon realize that you are not a pool swimmer. You are an open water swimmer.
* Understand there is a significant difference between pool swimming and open water swimming, especially on race day.
* When you think you've finally mastered a swim technique, you haven't.
* When you're positive you've mastered a swim technique, there's another technique that needs your immediate attention.
* Learn to correctly exhale when your face is in the water.
* Do not lift your head up when you rotate for air. Pretend your head is resting on a pillow.
* You will need some private swim lessons with a good swim coach at some point in time.
* You will probably hate swimming for at least the first year and maybe longer.
* Someone will say something about your technique that will hurt your feelings. Cry in the water where no one can see your tears and get over it.
* You will be terrified during your first few open water swims. Its normal! Just keep on repeating the process and it will get easier and easier each time.
* Be gentle with yourself and don't beat yourself up mentally. Its a long journey.
* If you can get used to swimming in the ocean, you will overcome some big mental hurdles.
* Your fellow triathlete friends are the best gift you will ever acquire in this sport. There is no medal, trophy or age group placement that can ever compare or replace their friendship.
* If you can embrace open water swimming, you will learn to love it.
There are more items I can add to the list above, but I'll leave it at that for now. If you're struggling with swimming the way I was, please don't lose heart. Take a step back, catch your breath, don't beat yourself up and come back to a day or two later. But whatever you do, try not to quit completely. There's a great love affair out there in the open water and maybe its calling your name.
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