What Swimmers Think About As They Move Up and Down the Pool
By Evangelia Vasilakis, Swimming World College Intern.
Between the counting of laps, intervals and breaths, swimmers have a lot of time to think. Our minds are continuously navigating the continuous streams of thoughts we have while practicing. The line at the bottom of the pool becomes a symbol of our ideas and mind. Swimmers think of their best ideas when they are swimming along this line, from dinner to speeches to projects. Swimmers think of everything while swimming. Here’s a sample.
Food
Swimmers’ most common thought during practice is food. During morning practice, athletes try to figure out what they want to eat after practice. At night, when their lunch has worn off, their thoughts are consumed by ideas for dinner. Food is important in any athlete’s day, and swimmers have plenty of opportunities to think about it. Food is the backbone of a swimmers’ strength, and without it they will struggle to compete and practice.
The Set
Swimmers always think about the set. Whether thinking of how to improve their swimming while doing it or dreading the upcoming workout, they think very deeply about it. It is important for a swimmer to really know the set they are working on. Some think of the distance, while others think of finishing it. The set is a thought on everyone’s mind. I know I start to think about the set as soon as I start walking to the pool from my dorm room.
Projects and School
Swimmers ponder their school projects in the pool. More often than not, a swimmer arrives to practice from class. Schoolwork is usually in the forefront of their thoughts. Many swimmers think about all the work they have to do. They start planning their essays and homework, thinking of how they will get it all done with their busy schedules. Oftentimes, swimmers bounce ideas off each other in the pool about classes and work. Swimmers may prepare ideas for a big speech in their head or just think about a big test coming up.
Daydreaming
If you are like me, you daydream often. While practicing, I find myself lost in my thoughts, about worlds that do not exist. Some swimmers may be writers or creators. These swimmers find themselves having their best ideas during practice. I know as a writer, while I am practicing, I find I have my best ideas. Athletes who draw might think of their next big art project or the writers may be thinking about their book. I know I have.
Problems
Swimmers frequently think about the problems they have to face. The act of swimming may help clear their heads or distract them entirely. Swimming gives a person enough time to really think. When your head is in the water, the only person you have to worry about is you. It is the perfect time to examine your current situation and think about the issue. Whether the problem is school or a fight between friends, swimmers have plenty of time to think about how to fix the problem.
Racing
If they are not currently racing, a swimmer is thinking of racing. They use every moment of practice to perfect their race. They think about every little detail and apply it to every lap in practice. Many swimmers try to put themselves in that mindset of the race to make sure they are thoroughly prepared. If a swimmer is racing while thinking, they are often thinking of breathing and pushing harder. While racing, it is common for a swimmer to play a song to the tempo they want to swim in their head. I also know swimmers that clear their head entirely and try not to think for the duration of their swim.
Overall swimmers have plenty of time to think, whether that be together as a team or individually. Swimmers yearn for our time to think and the pool becomes a safe place to do that. Many swimmers say they have their best ideas while swimming. I thank swimming for giving me plenty of opportunities to think and make my mind stronger.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
I used to repeat and memorise words and, later, longer texts in English, trying to up my knowledge of the language in high school in Hungary. That was in the late-sixties and early seventies. 10 by 200 or 20 by 100 back or free, with short rest intervals were especially effective…