Even though we are really about having fun around here, we do have our set of “rules”. I put that in quotes because if you don’t follow all of them, there is no Tri Swim Police Force that will come and get you!

I wanted to focus on Rule #7 today. That is “We Take A Non-Traditional Approach”.

Here’s the rule as it appears on our Rules page:

“We work smart, and not necessarily hard. We are committed to getting more out of less instead of the traditional “no pain no gain” philosophy.

We make every swim (ever yard and every meter) count.

With every workout, we are living with purpose.

This doesn’t just mean getting an instant physical result from the workout.

It also means taking a holistic approach to swimming – and getting into the flow, as well as the meditative or “zen” qualities of swimming.

This may not come naturally at first, but as you practice (and befriend the water), you will likely see this mental benefit to your workouts, which will also contribute to your physical mastery of freestyle swimming.”

What does this mean to you in your quest for freestyle mastery?

Being opposed to the traditional “no pain no gain” philosophy doesn’t mean we’re advocating slacking off at every workout, and just swimming as many boring laps as you can every time you swim.

Quite the opposite!

“Slowing down to go faster” is a much deeper concept.

Just like rushing through life will often lead to stress and dissatisfaction, simply swimming “faster” is not how to get faster. There is definitely a time and a place for sprints, but it makes a lot of sense to de-emphasize this part of your training- especially at the beginner levels.

The core idea here is to take one small step at a time. Focus on that. Do it slowly and deliberately, and as the rule says “with purpose”.

Take on “The One Thing” that you need to that day.

Maybe it’s hand extension, or pull, or breathing…or a specific drill that’s aim is to get you a specific result.

Just do that one thing, get as good as you can at it, then on to the next challenge.

This purposeful and mindful practice is what we want all of our students to understand.

You CAN have it all, including going faster, if you’re willing to first slow down and develop the patience it takes to master the small stuff.

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow – that is patience.”

Just keep swimming!