How to Swim in Your Own Lane

Swimming in Your Own Lane 

‍

As competitive swimmers or athletes in general, when it comes to racing and fighting to win things can quickly turn nasty. Rather than using these chances to the fullest and shine our true potential, we cover ourselves up and hide in our weaknesses. This can often become very frustrating for athletes who train so hard on a daily basis and simply want to have fun witnessing the manifestation of their hard work. This causes them to get trapped in this downward spiral, lost in suffering which kills the joy and fun of the sport they love so much. Everyone has been there and knows this situation, maybe some better than others, but the question still remains: how can we transcend this situation to stay true to ourselves especially when confronted with tests or chances that allow us to shine our true potential. One thing is certain, we cannot escape these experiences, for they feed the fire of willingness; willingness to improve and become a better version of ourselves. One who is able to stay present, who is able to stay focused and who is surrendered to the upward spiral, lifting oneself up into our strengths and qualities that make us human beings.  

‍

Focus on Yourself - Strengths vs Weaknesses

_‍

Swimming is an individual sport. It doesn't matter if you train with a big team or alone, if you train with a coach or not, ultimately when the time comes to race at a competition it is up to us to step up on the block and deliver the swim that we have prepared for. What often happens weeks or shortly before a race is that we allow our attention to drift into our mind and we start thinking and fantasizing. Thoughts of past races pop up, or thoughts of potential outcomes crystallize and with them, emotions start to bubble up. That is ok, but we have a choice, we can either allow them to pass by and observe them as energy or we can fight them due to our judgment which consequently will have a countereffect on our bodies. We might feel sore or tense for no reason, even though the root of the problem is very clear, the focus is drifting. For this reason it is important to cultivate a level of self awareness and when we notice this is happening, we consciously bring our focus back to the present moment through our breathing. Rather than focusing on past races that potentially didn't go well, or the feelings of races that were not so positive, we focus on our strengths. We constantly remember them and all the things that we have done during the process of preparation. For this reason it is a good idea to note these strengths down and have them ready and fresh in your mind to hold on to when times like these come. 

‍

Focus on Race Strategy - Cues 

‍

Visualization is a powerful tool to feel and go through the race that is yet to come. For this it is extremely important to accentuate the race strategy together with the cues that one has practiced on a daily basis to prepare in the best possible way. When visualizing, focus on using affirmations (a simple word will do the job), to anchor a certain feeling and condition the mind and body to execute on a subconscious level. This is why it is so important to train smart and have very clear goals to create a program that is very race specific. Often it is better to keep things easy and not overcomplicate them with lots of different ingredients. The recipe for success is easy, we have done it millions of times in practice, what makes it challenging are the different spices we like to add originating from the mind. Please don’t get me wrong, what we are saying is not to block the mind and prevent it from functioning, this is impossible. The mind is a very powerful tool and trying to control it takes a lot of willingness, sincerity, discipline and perseverance. But eventually through constant practice one will notice that the mind can be calmed down and once that is achieved one can tell it and dictate it what to do and not the other way around. 

‍

Focus on Intention - Fight 

‍

Practicing competitive sports means eventually we will compete against other swimmers. That’s it, that is the matter of fact. However, what we need to remember is once again how we are approaching this competition: Are we going to the start with the willingness to beat others or are we going to the start to execute the race that we have practiced and prepared in training? The difference is subtle but has major impacts. If we go to the start wanting to win and beat others, the focus once again shifts towards the competitors and the result of a race. This in turn means that the ability to stay centered within oneself to mobilize all the energy and intention to execute the wanted race diminishes. In essence it weakens us. However, if we go to the start with clarity, knowing what one is capable of swimming when executing the race, believes in oneself fully and focuses on oneself to give 110%, then one can reach very high on the intention scale. Not only, but together with the emotional factor of a big event, one can execute an extraordinary performance. One that feels free. One that is fun. One that feels easy and which is so satisfying to experience.

‍

This is what competitive sport is all about. Not just the mere physical and mental training that athletes practice day in and day out in training and competitions. Competitive sport teaches us to grow mainly as a result of a lot of suffering. But if we start to recognise that these experiences are actually a blessing in disguise, we can start to appreciate whatever comes our way with open arms and an open heart. This frees us and allows us to unleash our true potential. One that is unlimited. One that has no boundaries. One that is meaningful. Staying in our own lanes is not just a mental approach to tackle a race, it is a way of life. Focus within, becoming aware of what is going on inside and why that is so. Showing the willingness and strength to understand the lessons presented again and again and transforming in order to experience something new. This is the beautiful fact, if one practices the sport in such manners the journey will never get boring. So let us embrace the suffering. Let us accept who we are. Let us start practicing the sport from within out and not the other way around. Only then, we’ll have no regrets!

‍