Clearing off the Cobwebs

As the air warms and the lake water begins its ascent into swimmable temperatures, many athletes are contemplating their first open water training session of the year. Along with the excitement of beginning a new season may also be brief moments of hesitation and apprehension about transferring pool skills into open water swimming.

With many years of open water swimming experience I am fortunate to not have those moments BUT most certainly went through a brushing off of the cobwebs, mentally and physically, with my first paddleboard training session this past weekend. This is a fairly new sport for me and I recognized that how I processed the first SUP session could very well be similar to what a newcomer to open water swimming may go through.

Here are some of the thoughts that went through my mind before and during the first training session:

• How cold would the water feel if I fell in?
• Could I physically make my planned distance?
• Could I physically make my planned distance with the speed I wanted?
• How would I cope with the challenge of paddling into a headwind?
• Could I retrieve all of my paddling technique skills from the last time I paddled in the early fall?

So many questions!

These questions seemed to cycle through my mind for the first mile of my paddle. I then decided to approach the rest of the training session with the same priorities I would give an open water swim.

First, recover and build mental strength. I am fortunate to have worked closely with Dr Izzy Justice and have built a successful SwimEQ program that increases emotional intelligence to optimize performance. I drew on these skills to find mental harmony and calm.

Then, find open water skills. Navigation and pacing are top priorities in open water swimming, so I did the same with paddling. Focus on paddling directly, and find a pace I knew I could sustain for the duration of the session.

Finally, cycle through the technique focal points that would give my sustainable pace efficiency and ease.

It was a wonderful return to the water, I felt empowered and satisfied with the session. I will do the same when it is time for my first lake swim of the year.

Coach Dinah