You logged the yards/meters.
You done all the drills.
You even practiced open water swims. (Maybe 😃)
And still… race day creeps closer and your stomach drops when you think about that moment — toes in the water, waiting for the gun.
Let’s be honest.
It’s not your swim skills holding you back. You know how to swim.
It’s the program running in your mind.
That program says things like:
“What if I panic?”
“What if I get kicked in the face?”
“What if I just… freeze?”
I understand this mindset.
When I signed up for my first triathlon — Lavaman — I was so ready. I had learned how to actually swim, like a proper front crawl, I was totally comfortable in the pool. And had always thought of myself as a strong runner. My plan was, I’d just get through the swim part and then crush the rest.
But the open water? the open ocean at A-Bay? That was another story.
And weirdly enough, it wasn’t the deep that scared me — it was the shallow. I couldn’t stand having my face so close to the coral and lava rock. I had a fear of the bottom. So strange, right? The fear would creep in even though I knew I could swim.
I had to do something. Since after all a triathlon kinda includes a swim.
I started visualizing my favorite post-swim meal. Waffles with fresh strawberries! I’d literally would swim along not thinking about the swim, but putting all my attention on strawberry waffles. I would even swim along yelling strawberry waffles to the fish on the exhale. I think they loved it!
Other times, I would simply have a conversation the fish like I was just visiting their neighborhood. Yeah, sounds funny, but it worked. It helped me stay calm and present.
Eventually, I found something that changed everything — training my mind the same way I trained my body.
And that’s when the switch flipped.
That fear of the bottom? Gone.
Things you can do TODAY:
- Visualize your Sucess! I can’t stress just how important this is!
2. Ask yourself what this fear is serving. I know it may sound strange. And, I truely believe we all know the answers and can overcome anything!
I went on from the first LAVAMAN to qualify for and complete in two Ironman World Championships. Training your mind works!
If you are ready to train your mind, click here!