Sal's

Running, Biking, Swimming, Triathlons, Snowshoeing: what's next? Sal's kicks butt.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Practicing Concentration:"being in the moment"

Concentration is an important skill to develop if it doesn't come naturally to you. To get the most out of your training it's important to think about the task at hand.

There are many ways to work on this skill; yoga, meditation, indoor bike training and practicing staying down on the aero bars, remembering to "be in the moment" no matter what the task might be. Think about your form, push yourself to cover the desired distance even on those tough days. 

Maybe, though, you are at the college pool, swimming for the first time in a month since it had been closed during the holiday recess period. Maybe you ran 12 miles earlier in the day and swimming 1,000 yards was the goal for the afternoon workout? As you swim lap after lap getting more and more tired your concentration begins to wain. Even the 1,000 yard distance may be too far for today.

Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye as you take a quick breath, you spot a college girl in a bikini walking along the pool deck. She quickly jumps in the pool, in the lane next to you, but doesn't swim. She begins doing headstands in the water! Strange, but true. Could this be a drill to learn how to hold her breath? Possibly it's some kind of drill for competitive divers? Maybe she is a pole vaulter or gymnast learning how to stay upside down?  I can't tell but my laps are adding up without really thinking about it. The girl continues doing headstands over and over again, coming up for air in-between.

I guess my swimming concentration improved as I finished the workout with 1500 meters completed.

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