So, if you have read a few of my blogs you’ll know that I have had a few issues with swimming. To start with in 2020 I couldn’t swim front crawl and started lessons with Chris. I’d go as far as saying I really disliked swimming. It had became a mental barrier to triathlon that I had to overcome.
I can’t be certain what started this dislike and anxiety towards Swimming. But it manifests itself as a nervous energy that stops me from getting in the water. It is bad to the point that I have driven to the gym and ended up sitting for two hours in the cafe nursing a coffee while trying to psyche myself up.
It got to the point that since Septembers outlaw I have not used the pool or even attempted to once. Well Jan 2nd and Jan 8th I had the excuse to avoid swimming due to having Covid at Christmas time and being left with a tight chest.
The 18th of Jan I arranged to meet Chris in the cafe of the gym and I was going to swim. I was nervous, super anxious but didn’t know what or why it was happening. Chris saw this and said go get changed and he’d see me poolside. I got changed and made my way out to the pool. Really nervous for some reason but as soon as I got in I was swimming like I’d never been out of action. I was told my technique was still good. In that first swim I was only in for ten minutes but did 300 meters.
Then next week came by really quickly. In between swim sessions I had been keeping up with my run and bike training. Again I had a lesson, slightly less nervous this week and I managed 750m – the distance of a standard sprint tri.
I don’t know what causes the anxiety, it happens from time to time. But I do know I won’t let it beat me. This Tuesday I’m doing 1100m…..
Bipolar Ironman 