Guided Imagery

Imagery : Ocean Swim

Chase the Dream, Not the Competition

I awake early in the morning, before the sun has even risen. I have not slept well in anticipation of the day. I try not to think about how in 3 hours I will be moving constantly for the next 15 hours. I try to eat some breakfast, focusing on my nutrition to get me through the morning. I make oatmeal, coffee, one egg and a slice of bacon. I figure a balance of carbs, protein, caffeine and sugar will serve me well.

We drive to the race start. Everyone is silent in the car, with an occasional joke about our fortitude to break the tension. We all say we race for fun, but we are competition with only ourselves.

Walking into the water is shocking. It is cold and vicious. “Why does everyone look so strong?, where did these athletes come from?” I ask myself as I wade in up to the starting rope. I occasionally loose track of my two teammates as everyone looks the same in a black swimsuit and pink or green swim cap. We smile politely to each other, but in a few minutes smiles will be faded and we will be thrashing about looking for our own space. The cannon is fired and feet, hands, heads and ankles swirl around like a wash machine. As I begin to swim I try to develop a rhythm but I can’t break free. My movements are sporadic and breaths are forced. As we turn around the 1st buoy the crowd lightens up and I am able to fine a lane of my won. Finally, I can get into my zone. I let the rythym of my stroke, help regulate my breathing and heart rate. The butterflies are gone and I am feeling strong. The 2nd Buoy has passed and I still have my lane. I lift my head and can see the finish. I know my friends are there, cowbells in hand waiting to see us emerge form the water. As I get closer I speed up my tempo, full of strength and excitement in completing the swim. I touch sand and am able to stand. I remove the cap and the goggles and try to run to my bike. Gravity hits me like a train as my legs feel like logs...