I'm staying at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago (free slippers!), and I woke up this morning at 6 to jump in the pool to do some laps. The pool was beautiful and quiet as I "swam" back and forth, back and forth. Despite the near idyllic settings (picture here), I soon found myself growing quite bored. There was no music to listen to; no runners running, dogs playing, or geese pooping to observe; no one next to me to talk to (as I can riding side by side on the roads).
My mind was wandering and getting tired of it; I wanted more stimulation (and oxygen). I tried to focus on the bottom of the pool and observe exactly how far I was able to glide with each stroke, but without any focus points on the bottom, that was hard to determine. Some people say it is this very inability to focus on external objects that makes swimming so enjoyable--they are able to enter into a Zen-like state. As I sit here writing this, that sounds great; but I wasn't able to get there. Between my muscles burning and my gasping for air, there wasn't much room for a peaceful, meditative state.
I don't have this problem with boredom when I swim at Walden Pond. Perhaps because the distances are longer and I'm focused on making it to a particular point on the far shore. Perhaps because I'm swimming with other people and trying to keep up with them.
If I'm going to get serious about swimming, I'll be spending a lot more time in the pool this winter and I'm going to need something to keep me from watching the clock on the wall. Does anyone have any tips on how to make swimming laps more enjoyable?
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It sounds like you think too much -- ie. observing "exactly how far I was able to glide with each stroke". You may be dwelling about the act of exercising.
ReplyDeleteI think it may be helpful to go in the pool more often. Your busy brain will eventually force itself to shut off by instinct. It's probably a product of the fact that you're not in the setting enough to know how to just yet.
dwelling too much on the act*
ReplyDeletei want one of those swim-friendly mp3 players, but it seems like such a cop-out. i will let you know if i cave...
ReplyDeleteI think swimming laps is more enjoyable after a busy day... you can either use the time to reflect on the day's events or to zone out entirely, which is easier to do after a full day.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you aren't doing it already, it would probably help to draw up workouts for yourself with different distances, different strokes, kicking, pulling, etc.