By Katie Willis, Swimming World College Intern
Swimming is all about times. We have goals and goal times. It’s always good to have a plausible goal in mind; it gives you something to strive for. The fault, however, is when we let people expect too much of us.
We all have different seasons. Some go well, a little too well, and then suddenly people expect something of you. They expect that you’re always going to be able to be the fastest at this or always going to win that. And while your abilities ultimately define your performance, in the back of your mind those expectations are there and they are vicious.
Or even when we don’t have the best of seasons. People begin to question when you’ll drop time or if you’ll ever win again. You suddenly can’t hit those times you were doing last season and the crowd is disinterested. You psych yourself out, doubting your swimming abilities and thinking that you’ve peaked at last.
Picture this: it’s race day. You’ve tapered for about a week or so and you feel ready. Those little nerves get you worked up, but this is normal. You go into your first race not expecting anything, you’re simply there to race. But then you do something unexpected and surprise yourself. A best time, a school record, a whatever (you could care less about labels, you’re just happy you did something amazing).
Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images
But then comes your second race:
“I bet you’re going to break the record for this too.”
“Are you going to drop time in this event too?”
“You’ll definitely win this time too.”
And you don’t. Your coach asks you what happened. And in that moment you can’t answer, as you’re bent over, too angry and upset to even formulate an excuse.
Months later, the same thing happens. Only this time you are the one holding the expectations. You have that goal time in mind but somehow let it slip through your fingers once more.
At the end of this season my coach has told me that there will always be expectations. But there will only be a change if you don’t let those expectations control you. You need to focus on all the work you put in every single day, let that be the driving force of your race. You cannot let your head take over. Have confidence in your body. Your legs and arms know how to move just fine. You know what you’re doing so just have confidence in you’re abilities.
You’ve come to race, you want to have fun, you want to feel the rush of adrenaline as you suddenly hit the water. Swimming is about the people and the experience.
You must begin to develop a confidence if you really need to improve. Because if you let the words of other people influence your mentality and your abilities, you will always remain hidden within your own fears. You must be the cause and effect. So when those external forces try to challenge you, fight back.
Photo Courtesy: Maddie Kyler
“If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be this: Don’t be intimidated by other peoples’ opinions.”—Paulo Coelho