Hello Everyone,
B.J. Bedford says: For me, I never forget how it used to feel. And I know what it takes to get there, and I just don't have the time or the drive to get there. Anything less leaves me feeling a little dissatisfied, so I just don't do it much.
I think anyone who has started back from a prolonged absence can relate to this. What I remember is a Zen like loss of consciousness that felt transcendental kind of like being out of the body. Like being so automatic you didn't have to be there. I was asked once "how far can you swim?" I had to think about it because I was used to thinking how fast. I said "I don't know. It feels like forever."
I'd love to hear what others feel like in the water or what they remember.
Now I feel like a slow moving blob. Like I'm kind of stuck.
Is there a quick fix that anyone knows ?
Mary W
Parents
Former Member
Ah yes. This topic is close to my heart.
I spent the better part of my 5 masters swimming years (after a 12 year break) searching desperately for the feel of the water that I had as a kid. There were a couple of years where I was doing a lot of :frustrated: in searching for something that wasn't exactly tangible.
"But my 200 fly never felt that bad!?"
As a kid, I felt as if I was part of the water. Effortless. Light. Smooth.
Zen-like. Yes. Felt I could swim in my sleep.
When I started back swimming after the 12 year break, I was in for a rude awakening. Felt like :drown: and then :cane: Was like this for quite a while.
You know when you are searching like a mad women for something and it's under your nose the whole time? Or have you seen your friends search desperately for a significant other only to come across their dream match when they stop looking so hard?
As an adult I believe I've found my "zen-like" or qi state but it's quite different from when I was younger. As an adult, I appreciate it more and I feel more focused and alive (I recognize the state) than ever before. Took patience, practice, and a focus that centered more on the pure feel and pleasure of the water rather than reaching specific goals or times. Wiping my conscience clean (turning mind into a blank slate) and eliminating all negative thoughts so to speak was helpful as well. Adopted the mentality of nothing is impossible and everything is possible. Want to pretend I'm Kate Zigler at practice for a day? Why not?!
Being satisfied at first when that zen state appeared for just one or two strokes. Patience. With each passing week or so, that state would increase. Stopped looking so hard for it. Recognizing that as a kid it wasn't 100% "go with the flow" all the time. Realized that if you can push through the pain at times during a set, that that state will suddenly appear.
No quick fix. But when I changed my way of thinking and attitude while being satisfied with smaller accomplishments (yea! I can breathe every 3 easily), I found what I was looking for a whole lot quicker. The bonus is, once you find that feeling, the speed is right there with it. Often it pops up when you least expect it.
:2cents:
Ah yes. This topic is close to my heart.
I spent the better part of my 5 masters swimming years (after a 12 year break) searching desperately for the feel of the water that I had as a kid. There were a couple of years where I was doing a lot of :frustrated: in searching for something that wasn't exactly tangible.
"But my 200 fly never felt that bad!?"
As a kid, I felt as if I was part of the water. Effortless. Light. Smooth.
Zen-like. Yes. Felt I could swim in my sleep.
When I started back swimming after the 12 year break, I was in for a rude awakening. Felt like :drown: and then :cane: Was like this for quite a while.
You know when you are searching like a mad women for something and it's under your nose the whole time? Or have you seen your friends search desperately for a significant other only to come across their dream match when they stop looking so hard?
As an adult I believe I've found my "zen-like" or qi state but it's quite different from when I was younger. As an adult, I appreciate it more and I feel more focused and alive (I recognize the state) than ever before. Took patience, practice, and a focus that centered more on the pure feel and pleasure of the water rather than reaching specific goals or times. Wiping my conscience clean (turning mind into a blank slate) and eliminating all negative thoughts so to speak was helpful as well. Adopted the mentality of nothing is impossible and everything is possible. Want to pretend I'm Kate Zigler at practice for a day? Why not?!
Being satisfied at first when that zen state appeared for just one or two strokes. Patience. With each passing week or so, that state would increase. Stopped looking so hard for it. Recognizing that as a kid it wasn't 100% "go with the flow" all the time. Realized that if you can push through the pain at times during a set, that that state will suddenly appear.
No quick fix. But when I changed my way of thinking and attitude while being satisfied with smaller accomplishments (yea! I can breathe every 3 easily), I found what I was looking for a whole lot quicker. The bonus is, once you find that feeling, the speed is right there with it. Often it pops up when you least expect it.
:2cents:
