What do you think about when you swim?

gentlygently

I am usually thinking about my technique (or lack of).

But I had an interesting swim yesterday. I was a bit fed up with various life niggles, and couldn't settle on one of my usual routines for my swim. So I decided to set myself the challenge of using each lap to think of things i could do that would make me feel more positive - working my way through the alphabet. With a 1k goal.

It was so revealing - some laps I hit on something totally instincitve within a push off the wall (as an example J was have fun making some more Jam). And sometimes it took a little longer - it took almost the full 50m to realise I was missing seeing my friend Helen, on the H lap. She has fallen off my radar too much...

I ended up with over 20 good ideas to progress (including setting new Excercise goals for swimming of course), as well as having lots of endorphins flowing given I swam past my distance goal, and in a good time for me too.

Swimming as therapy I guess! I'll certainly be trying this one out again next time I have a problem to resolve....

AquaticQuests

gentlygently wrote: »

I am usually thinking about my technique (or lack of).

But I had an interesting swim yesterday. I was a bit fed up with various life niggles, and couldn't settle on one of my usual routines for my swim. So I decided to set myself the challenge of using each lap to think of things i could do that would make me feel more positive - working my way through the alphabet. With a 1k goal.

It was so revealing - some laps I hit on something totally instincitve within a push off the wall (as an example J was have fun making some more Jam). And sometimes it took a little longer - it took almost the full 50m to realise I was missing seeing my friend Helen, on the H lap. She has fallen off my radar too much...

I ended up with over 20 good ideas to progress (including setting new Excercise goals for swimming of course), as well as having lots of endorphins flowing given I swam past my distance goal, and in a good time for me too.

Swimming as therapy I guess! I'll certainly be trying this one out again next time I have a problem to resolve....

I need to try that!
For me half the time I'm making sure I'm remembering what lap I'm in, and the other half I'm tweaking my technique!
Then there are days like today when the pool was full of kids who seemed determined to play in my way each time I came round, and all I could think of half the time was "do these kids have to come and play in my lane each time I come round?".

girlwithcurls2

Well, between technique and staying alive (and out of other people's way, lol) there isn't a lot of brain space leftover. I LOVE this idea though. If I had the stamina to just keep swimming, it would be more helpful, but maybe it would take my mind through some mental hurdles and keep me going. I'm going to remember this and try it tomorrow. You got more than just a workout!

yogicarl

Will my eye sockets eventually get used to this cold?
If I keep moving, will my underarms get used to this cold?
Oh, actually its not so bad ...
... oh - is it time to get out now? 10 minutes more?
- (sea swimmer, November)

edit: I love the alphabet idea - going to use this in the pool as a moving meditation.

NoelFigart1

I think about articles I want to write, stories I want to write, I try to solve problems I am facing, I tell myself elaborate, distracting stories so that I do not ruminate on problems I canNOT solve, I plan future swims, I try to talk myself into joining the Master's team so I can improve my stroke.

sheepotato

I'm a very neurotic person by nature, but swimming and sleeping are the only times I ever get any peace from my thoughts and worries. It's why I enjoy my time in the water so much. My doctor has been tracking my blood pressure over the past few months, there has been a noticeable spike when I've missed more than a day or two of swimming.

The best thing ever for me is having a waterproof mp3 player, it makes it even easier to tune everyone and everything out for the 50 minutes or so I'm doing laps.

Macstraw

I'm with you, sheepotato, my waterproof iPod is my saving grace. My mind wanders a lot when I swim, anything & everything can pass through at any given point. The problem with that is I get so lost in my thoughts I lose track of my lap count. With the music, I end up listening which keeps my mind from straying too far & I find it much easier to keep my count....