Gypsy Full Package: Box [720p], FullPack [720p] (Unreleased).My Turn: Don't go down in the water
The day should be an oasis of peace, a safe place of rest and renewal for injured athletes. That doesn’t happen.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I hate being underwater.
I hate to dive, and I hate going underwater.
One of the greatest hazards in swimming — and triathlon — is the water itself. The current and the resistance of water on your arms, legs and back are the greatest obstacles to anyone who wants to do well in a race.
I love the excitement and challenge of the swim. But the fear and the anxiety are what kill me.
Yes, I believe in the fear-mongering in triathlons. The fear of being passed. That something is wrong with my bike, even though I’m barely breathing hard. That if I don’t do well, then I’ll be alone.
I’ve trained as hard as anyone, and yet it still happens.
When you’re in a race, it’s not your legs that decide whether you win or not. It’s your mind.
My confidence goes down each time I slip in the water, and often after a bad performance or a bad day, I start to believe the worst of myself.
“I’m no good.”
“I’m not fit.”
“I shouldn’t have started this race.”
By the time you hit the transition area, your self-doubts are the strongest force in your mind. I’ve trained so hard to avoid them. I’ve wanted to be the fittest, fastest and most consistent athlete in the race.
It’s the one thing I know I can control.
And yet, there they are.
I’ve tried listening to music, watching movies and eating a banana. The only time it worked was when I was underwater for less than a minute.
I’ve tried to calm my mind and tried to go over the swim plans I’ve already worked on. But I’m still nervous.
It happens.
Even if I ac619d1d87
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