Terry spent some time showing us turns, but what caught my attention was his first break out stroke. Terry’s looked so smooth and I wanted mine to be like his. Problem was Terry had spent countless hours perfecting his and I really wanted mine straight away.  The penny was dropping; it was no good wanting instant gratification. If I was to change my neural connections it was up to me to put in the necessary mindful practice. It was good to know I could.

We then set out tempo trainers at a very slow speed and worked our way down from 1.4 to 2.00 counting our strokes as we went with the aim of going back up the ladder and getting back to 1.4 with a slower stroke rate then when we started. We decreased and increased in 0.10 increments. The really slow speeds challenges your balance and you soon know what areas you need to work on.

We then repeated our original set of 50,100.150 and 200 yds at a speed we could maintain for each distance. My stroke rate dropped to 14 SPL per 25yds, it had been 17 SPL last Sunday. Terry suggested we do the 200 faster.  As the mere mention of speed seems to induce a reversion to my old habits I did so with caution and concentrated on maintaining my stroke length. While my speed was similar to my initial effort I am pleased to report I was able to maintain the new SPL for the entire 200yds, which indicated a more effective and energy conscious stroke. As those who were there know I am incapable of counting strokes and laps at the same time, this swim felt easy and I was happy to swim a few more laps than necessary.

Since I have been home I have been concentrating on mindful swimming and using all of the different sets and challenges we were introduced to at least 2 -3 times per week. I have had some good training sessions and some not so good. When all else fails I revert to total relaxation and return to balance drills and focal thoughts. My preference is to swim in the 50M pool but my mindful swimming practice is better in the 25M pool. Terry’s observation that the 25m pool with its extra turns allows you to re focus your thoughts after short bursts of swimming may have something to do with it.

Going to the Speed Camp has changed the way I swim. My focus has changed from muscular to mental. I have been provided with the knowledge and tools to participate in mindful swimming practice that over time will change my neural connections and my speed. 

Today I went to a swim squad I have not attended for over 6 weeks and we did      10 x 100m. I had a race plan, (my first one) knowing deceleration is golden, I started with a balanced focus, changed to streamline and finally added propulsion at about the 60m mark. It was very satisfying passing others on the way home and I swam a time I have not achieved in the last 2 years. Never once did I think of speed and although I was puffed by the middle of this set I was not aware of the effort when I swam.

I am targeting a kilometer swim in November and intend to reproduce a time I swam several years ago and have been nowhere near since. I will be 65 when I do the swim.

In Terry’s words all that matters is to measure how I’m swimming today and try and improve on that tomorrow.