Swimming Fast When It Counts Most

Once you get to that big meet, your physical work and preparation are over. You’ve done everything to insure that your body has the physical capability to go fast. Now what you need is to keep your mind in a “gold medal place.” Swimming fast when it counts the most is all mental. The following three strategies will help you maximize your training and go fast:

1. KEEP YOUR RACE FOCUS ON PROCESS, NOT OUTCOME – One of the biggest mistakes that a swimmer can make is getting too caught up in the importance of the race, by focusing on their time or place. This “outcome” focus will make you nervous, tighten your muscles and slow you down. To go fast, your concentration must be on the “process.” Focus on what YOU are doing in your lane, in the NOW.
2. TRY SOFTER, NOT HARDER – When you place too much importance on a race, you will tend to try too hard. Trying too hard tightens muscles and shortens your stroke. It’s the game of diminishing returns: The harder you try, the slower you’ll go! Instead, try to relax and focus on lengthening your stroke by “trying softer.” Remember, your body already knows how to swim fast. Trust your training and let the fast swim come to you!
3. STAY CALM PRE-RACE – Many swimmers unknowingly “lose” their races before the start because they get too nervous. Swimming fast is all about staying relaxed pre-race. To do this, try any of the following: stretch, listen to music, talk to friends, slow and deepen your breathing, joke around and most importantly, have fun!