Motivational Monday: Don’t Overlook the Little Things That Matter
It’s that time of year again. Early November has a tendency to be dreaded by swimmers. Training is ramped up, and meets are out in full force. The holidays are approaching, and for swimmers, this means painful sets. You’re sore, tired, and not to mention…cold. Besides any amount of motivation you may be holding onto, what do you look at to get you mentally prepared to swim every day?
Oftentimes, we look at the swim season from a “big picture” standpoint. It is typically six to eight months of vigorous training. We spend multiple hours a day in the pool, sometimes accompanied by weight training. Maybe you’re lucky enough to get a midseason taper meet to alleviate some of the November blues. Most swimmers have a shave-suit-taper meet at the end of the season, where all of their hard work is expected to pay off. Looking at the season like this can be overwhelming, and can lead to us missing many of the little things. In reality, these small moments are what makes the sport so special.
What are these little things, you ask? Maybe it’s a Pasta Party with your team the night before a meet. Or, in the middle of a difficult set, your favorite song comes on the speaker. At a small in-season dual meet, your team could come away with an unexpected win. The pre-meet locker room dance parties are often just what a swimmer needs to get energized before a race. Not only do these things motivate us to swim faster, but they’re what makes the sport truly fun.
As swimmers, we often have to travel far and wide for meets. However, when we do so, we are usually so focused on our races that we forget to appreciate the fact that we’re traveling. Driving on a bus through the streets of New York City is really cool, but you can’t soak it in if you’re too busy panicking about your upcoming 200 butterfly. Next time you travel for a meet, remember to appreciate your surroundings and take them in. Swimming can bring us to some awesome places, and realizing how lucky we are to get to see them is another little thing that makes the sport so special.
If you’re feeling strung-out, tired, and sore this November, remember that you’re not alone. Most swimmers feel this way this time of year, and it’s completely normal. Keep putting in the work, trust your training, and remember to enjoy all of those little things.