Swimming on Automatic

I know that many of you here do much shorter distances and may or may not have this problem, but even in training, an overactive brain can be a burden, not an aid. And in training, many of you do swim great distances so how do you deal with the boredom of back and forth multiple times? I posted this little quip on the Open Water section, but realized that as many people here do train piles of yardage, it might be interesting or fun to read: Well, FINALLY! I know I have posted questions as to how to quiet my mind during long swims (up until this weekend, my long swims were only about 2 miles), but now I am at the 4-mile mark or in that vicinity; working my way up to 18 miles. I have always have an overactive brain and suffer from boredom or too much thinking along the way. I think my brain is learning to finally quiet down on its own. During my 3+ mile swim yesterday, I realized that I had NO thoughts whatsoever after the 2 mile mark. I had been waiting for something like this because if I don't think, I automatically swim BETTER; it's like being on cruise control rather than swimming with purpose each and every stroke. We all approach great distances so differently and I am relieved that I know that I can finally swim on automatic and let my brain rest because at some point, I will need it to kick in and help me when situations arise for miles after the 5 or 10 mile mark; at least something will be rested!!! I think that by being able to let our bodies calm our brain down, we may actually perform better; that is one less body part that is being exercised at that moment so something in our body is actually resting and waiting to be called upon. And we all know that swimming is a great deal of mental fortitude. When a swimmer can get in a totally relaxed state on any distance swim, in the pool training, or lake or ocean swim, I truly feel the better they will swim instead of thinking about SPL, time, turns, etc.. And of course during training is where we should be thinking a little more, but letting our bodies perform without interference, to me, is the way to succeed in goals. I think that during drills is where everyone should have their thinking caps on. Just something to think about, or NOT think about. So, my goal is to not think about anything and let my body take over for what it was trained to do. But it took about 45 minutes for this to happen on its own. And maybe when the conditioning is in place, it is easier for this to happen because a swimmer is more comfortable. Cheers, donna