I just completed in "Y Nats" this past weekend in Fort Lauderdale. It was my best meet as a masters swimmer, with several "Masters Best Times", and a couple others that were tenths off. I had a lot of doubt / wonder going into the meet. I had a mindset that was steps away from spiraling downward, but using the tools I have learned in my mindset training, I knew that I would not preform how I wanted, how I had trained if I had a negative mindset. I took each event at a time. Focusing on just the task at hand, knowing that worrying about how much it would hurt or how others may preform in the race- would not help me.
I tried to stay loose, both mentally and physically. Enjoying time away from work, away from home, with friends both new and literally decades old. I tried to "stop and smell the roses", to be grateful that I am able to do this. Swimming has always been a part of my life, and I am so happy that I have set up my career around it. When I think of what swimming has done for me, the list is endless. The friendships I have built, the work ethic, the compassion, the mental toughness (which I never knew I had), the physical strengths it provides and so much more!
If any swammers are out there reading this, and you are at the edge of the pool- wondering if you should make the jump into Masters Swimming. DO IT! You will not regret it!
*Pic of Bolles teammate and me - we both won the 200 IM in our respective age groups.
Comments