Command your thoughts...

Wednesday 27 June 2012

“Are you going slower or am I going faster?” I said to Niki Lemon this morning during our early morning sabbatical to the Serpentine amidst the mosquitos and weeds...

Funny how we compare ourselves to others (or is that just me :) Every time I hit another milestone I think about all those who do it better, faster, smarter, more efficiently, for longer, and remind myself I can do more. Well, not as gently as a reminder most of the time.

That little voice that sits on my shoulder asking me if I am good enough, or telling me i’m not. She’s the one that visits when I am feeling vulnerable, scared, defensive or just a bit low, and then I doubt myself. Over the years I have built various strategies for dealing with that, and whilst some of those are still external, (it’s good to be reassured), the most powerful is when I have a quiet word with myself, revisit old affirmations, re-read the inspiring words of Marianne Williamson, or with my belief in synchronicity something drops into my inbox/is said/ appears on facebook:- This morning it was ‘If you want to be happy set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates energy and inspires your hopes’ Andrew Carnegie.

Command your thoughts. They run away with you!

Saturday 14th June

The Sea Breezers set a goal to go to Dover to swim our 2 hour ratification swim for the channel. The weather was horrific, so instead we hit the serpentine at 6.45 am, had a morale boosting discussion, committed to each other that the 5 of us (including our coach and friend Pete) would do the 2 hour swim no matter what. It was pretty non-negotiable, and with that at the front of my mind, the rest was history.

It was a first, a first for me, and a first for everyone else! None of us had ever swum 2 hours constantly in one bout and certainly not in 15 degree water. We talked about it afterwards and realised the collective commitment was by far the biggest determinant of success in the end. For me, I didn’t even allow any thought to enter my head except a gentle countdown, an easy rhythm, and staying in the present, no dramatising, no forward projecting, and no doubt.

When we are in the channel in September, I will know that I can swim 2 hours, and with that knowing comes a little peace.

With all the preparation in May and June - Eton for 2 different open water swims, Marlow Lake Monday and Thursday nights, and the Serpentine for early morning day break swims, I was ready for a trip to the Seaside - June 30th 2012 - Niki Lemon and I couldn't wait!