This week we close our series of common freestyle mistakes by focusing on mentality. Here are five common, self-defeating stories we tend to tell ourselves as swimmers:
The way I change direction in the pool is unimportant. I'm too tired to do flip turns, and I hate getting water up my nose.
- When you grab the wall to do an open turn, your heart rate instantly drops five to 15 beats per minute and you short-change your workout. Flip turns and dolphin kick streamlines off of every wall matter. Pep yourself up to push through—just don't forget to close your mouth and blow out through your nose.
I am going running/biking/walking/weight lifting later today and need to save my legs, so I'll just use a pull buoy.
- Your legs will be tired either way! Instead, give your body at least 30 minutes to recover after practice. At that point your body won't know whether you used a pull buoy or not, and you'll be doing your fitness level a favor.
I am bad at freestyle.
- Telling yourself this story about any stroke is dangerous. It sets you up for failure and falsely shifts responsibility off of you. Instead, view room to improve as a challenge and a growth opportunity.
I am so slow compared to someone/everyone else in the pool/my lane.
- Try to avoid using external metrics to measure your progress. In swimming, your biggest opponent is your best time—nothing else!
I will recommit tomorrow! I am too busy at the moment.
- Either make the time or change the goal. Someday is now.
Self-talk is powerful. The next time you dive in to practice, remember that memories are built not just from experiences, but from the stories that we tell ourselves about them. Changing your mindset in any one of these five key areas will help lead to success in the pool.
