I have REALLY been struggling with my swimming. I first learned to swim in 2010 and literally had to start from scratch. I was taught the total immersion method, which was a good beginning, but unfortunately TI does not teach a person how to be an endurance swimmer (IMHO).
I've been suffering through weekly sessions with Monika Chiappetta and Open Water Swims at Lake in the Hills (every Wednesday, 6pm, followed by a 5k run- check it out- www.lith.org). To cheer me up, my good friend and tri-spiration, Jamie Van Vuren forwarded me an email which really helped reframe my thinking (again). The email was sent to her by Jenny Harrison, a phenomenal tri-coach who also happens to live locally and runs our weekly OWS. In the email Jenny talks about one of her athletes who has made serious improvements on her running and related that in her experience it takes an adult triathlete 5 years to reach his or her potential. Even though I've told myself countless times to be patient, and my swim coach has done the same, it's nice to hear from someone who has been coaching athletes for many years that it takes time.
Last night I wanted to give up and was filled with thoughts of self-doubt. Today I have decided to acknowledge that I am still in pre-school in terms of my development in triathlon and to keep plugging away at it.
Keep your chin up! 5 years ago I couldn't even put my face in the water and there I was trying to train for a triathlon. Because I didn't get all the good stroke help right away, I've languished in development for a few years before starting to really improve the last 2 years. You are doing all the right things and it WILL pay off!
ReplyDelete5 years??!! Holy crap :( OK, so if I count from day one, I'm technically in my 4th year...woo hoo! If I don't count the years I've been sidelined with injuries, then I'm in year 1. BOO! :( Hang in there Holly...so good to see you every week at LITH...it WILL get easier (right about then you'll be trying to get faster, so technically, it won't)...ha!
ReplyDeleteI am on year two. so that explains why I am sooooo bad at swimming. Stick with it. You'll be swimming like a fish in no time!
ReplyDeletePatience is the hardest thing (and recovery) that athletes have to learn when they start Triathlon & swimming. Honestly, Holly, you have COME far in that swim - 1 year ago you could not do what you did today! :)) You are making progress!!
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