Sometimes, it's good to walk away from a nutcase wagon!

For two weeks straight I had a good swimming cadence going. One day a week, I plan on swimming for distance to gauge how far I can go. I was really happy in those two weeks I had swam farther than anticipated on my training schedule. So, I was excited to adjust my schedule, with the thought I would be swimming 400 meters pretty quick at this pace. That was until I had a bad swim session.

I didn't know bad swim days happen or even existed. No one told me this! I can't recall ever having such a horrible day of swimming since I started training this summer. What happened? I started off just doing my usual 50 meter warm ups, which are no big deal. That day I couldn't even finish a 50 meter warm up, in fact I had to stop after 25 meters. I was panicky, jittery, nervous, my form was a disaster, and felt like a headcase! Knowing that swimming is a lot of mental work, my head was swirling with crazy thoughts and I could not concentrate. What the heck was wrong with me??? I was such a mess!!!! So, I thought, I will just stop and do other aqua exercising for a while to help release my jitters and see if that would help. After a while of playing, I felt ready to re-start swimming again. I started off okay, thinking I got this, then the wheels just fell off my nutcase wagon, AGAIN! I still couldn't swim 50 meters correctly--it was like I had never swam freestyle before. I was so disgusted and upset, that I just stopped and left the pool. I was just done dealing with this horrible swim session!

That bad swim day occurred 10 days ago. In the past 10 days, I had many chances to go jump back in the pool and get going, but I just couldn't. I've did other exercises and had enough rest days, but had no desire to swim...

Well, this evening I looked at my training schedule and said to myself, let's just see what I can do since I walked away from the nutcase wagon...I can just take it easy and get used to the water again...

Well, I got used to the water and ended up performing the most fantastic swim ever!!! I swam 350 meters in 10 minutes and 20 seconds, which is the best I've ever done with any swim! I had perfect form, was completely relaxed, felt absolutely great, and had a lot of stamina left to keep going. I could feel myself just gliding along in the water effortlessly and had a crisp, clear mind. I was so excited with my performance tonight that I am happy to report: I am back on my swim cadence horse and adjusted my training schedule...I look forward to swimming 400 meters very VERY soon!