When I went to the Total Immersion weekend course Jai, the lead instructor talked about feeling at one with the water. Today I felt at one with the water for the first time ever!
The last few swims have purely focused on one thing each length and with me that is usually trying to keep my head in the right position bobbing in front of me looking at the bottom of the pool. So I did a couple of lengths with no breathing so I could focus on the technique issues that I struggle with after which I stopped, gathered my breath and got down to doing a few lengths.
After a few moments I started to count my strokes and because counting is also an exercise that forms part of the meditation I'm doing I found myself beginning to completely relax. I continued counting slowly to 10 and then going back to zero, breathing rhythmically with my stroke and I was off. I forgot I was swimming, I just relaxed and quietly made my way up and down the pool. There were only a couple of other people in at the time but I didn't notice them, I was gone, off in another world, a better world where I was born to swim and felt released and entirely free. It felt like yoga / meditation in the water and was without doubt one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences I have enjoyed in a while. I don't think it was very fast and I have no idea how far I swam but it was a wonderful feeling of peace and oneness with the water that I have never experienced. I think this is the spirit of swimming that Total Immersion is all about but Jai might correct me on this!
If TI has actually released the swimmer in me I will be forever grateful and as Danielle said when we were chatting later the best investment in triathlon to date.
So to catch up the last few days training, I've done more swimming (today was my first zen like swim!), completed my indoor circuit sessions every day and yesterday ran 9 miles in the rain. My garmin was all over the place but I'm sure the distance was correct.
I'm planning a run in the morning and a circuit session later in the day.
Training, as well as being good for the body is good for the mind. I feel much more positive about myself and life generally when I'm training than when I'm not. This positivity seems to generate an enthusiasm for life that I'm sure can be a real pain for poor Danielle and the other people that are close to me. I'm lucky that I have such a supportive partner and she has put up with all of the madness without a word and if I ever need encouragement she is there with exactly the right words to say. I'm a very fortunate man!
In terms of the body I benefit from a low heart rate. Now I had always assumed that this was due to all of the training until I popped in to see Dad earlier in the week. He is 90 as I have mentioned before and for his age very fit. He is sharp as a tack and has the wisdom of Solomon. So in conversation he told me his heart rate has always been low, mid 40's as is my mothers, and therefore my low heart rate is likely to be entirely through birth and not earned through fitness! My mum, always thinks of our best interests, worries that Ironman is a bit OTT for a 49 year old bloke but she remains 100% supportive when I race which is fantastic. Maybe they gave me a genetic leg up to becoming an Ironman through birth - who knows!!!
This is fascinating stuff. Have you read Matthew Syed's book Bounce? It's all about the myth of talent and the truth that people who achieve enormous goals are those who work hardest, not those who are generated by some form of talent. Do not put down your swimming abilities - you simply haven't practised it to the extent that you feel as confident about it as your other triathlon activities. It sounds to me like you are making huge strides in the water. If you see what I mean.
ReplyDeleteWell done for working so hard at it. Keep it going.
Cheers Murdo - not read that but I'll have a look. The TI course was heart as well as head swimming and it worked for me. See you soon- off to buy the book!
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