Did you ever think you were a certain kind of person until something proved you were not? That’s how I feel about swimming. I thought I was patient. Until swimming showed me how impatient I can be. I thought I was calm. Until I realized I was not exhaling fully under the water then coming up for more and more air until I dissolve into full-on panic. I thought I was capable. I figured being a decent runner would translate to being a decent swimmer. But apparently being able to run 26 miles at a crack doesn’t mean I possess the endurance necessary to swim more than a few minutes at a time.
You see my affirmation posts on Instagram about how I’m going to have the best swim yet and finally breakthrough and figure this damn thing out. The truth is I’m overwhelmed. There’s just SO much to think about. All. At. Once. But I’m learning too.
Life lessons I am learning:
One thing at a time. There are just so many components. Stroke, hand position, arm position, body position, kick, breathing, rolling the body but not lifting the head. For now, when I swim, I calm down and focus on breathing. Inhale, exhale. I have to trust the rest will come in time and not worry about it now.
Practice: As much as I am completely out of my comfort zone, I made learning to swim a priority. Even if I have to cut a run short or skip a strength training session, I force myself to keep showing up at the pool.
Be Positive: In swimming and in life, attitude is everything. In the pool I can’t afford to be negative for one second.
Visualize Success: In my mind I’m Dara Torres. Rippling muscles and all. I definitely feel like a poser right now but I play mental images of me emerging strong and triumphant from the water at the Espirit de She Tri over and over and over.
Always Be grateful: As much as I dislike the process of learning to swim, and there are a million things I’d rather be doing (pap smear anyone?) I am grateful to have the opportunity to do so. I have access to a pool (with warm water!), an open lane, good equipment.
Find your tribe and lean on them: I’m an independent person. A lone wolf runner. But I started swimming so completely clueless, I needed all the help I could get. This community has been amazing. So many of you have reached out with helpful tips, resources and shared what worked for you. I also watch others around me at the pool. I actually eavesdropped in on a private lesson the other day. My own lessons start next week.
Just Chill: I’ve carved out 15 minutes every afternoon (in my usual sugar-binge time) to make a cup of green tea and just chill. I relax, go to a happy place, think about my day, celebrate progress, no matter how small, and visualize success.
What have challenges you’ve taken on taught you?
Good for you for sticking it out AND for fostering a positive attitude. I have a feeling that once you get going with your lessons, things are going to click.
I may join up in the runfessions tomorrow–and there will be swimfessions, too, b/c I seem to have completely lost all mojo to get to the pool!
Persevere for sure! With anything new, even weights for me in the beginning, it is always a tough learning experience until we click int it! 🙂 Good for you!
Doing something new can be so humbling. Its awesome that you have stuck with it and gotten so much out of it!
I’m really bad at doing new things. I get too easily frustrated and don’t want to play anymore. I don’t like being bad at things, so I’m terrible at sticking it out. Nice work committing to swimming, just keep imagining how proud you will be when it all “clicks” one day! 🙂
I love your commitment to this despite how hard it is right now…and I say right now because it will get better!
I love that you are taking on this big new challenge! Yes, you know I had my big challenge last year…redemption at 26.2. I cannot put into words what that race meant to me. So much more than the first time. And yes, tribe-mate, you were there for me!
You’ll get there. And you’re going to be great at this. Your attitude’s already great you just need you body to learn the ropes.
Way to look on the bright side. After every challenge, I always berate myself for hesitating – things are never as bad as I expect. 🙂
Yes, sticking it out even when it may not be easy.
Loved this post! Swimming would kick my butt and my brain– you are super tough. Challenges have taught me that no matter how great things are going, there will be more speed bumps sometime down the road. They have taught me that life is a series of ups and down, and we tackle them just like we would hills in a marathon, one step at a time, and last, that you have a choice, you can kick and scream through challenges, or you can learn take a deep breath, smile, and get on with it. xoxo
Good for you! I know you are going to master this skill, too.
This is great. I think you hit on everything that would scare the crap out of me if I ever tried to swim. Your determination is inspiring!