BLISS AS A GOAL

Topic: Goals for New Season
Conf: Racing - Pool or Open Water
From: Denise Boatwright

I need help in describing that feeling when your stroke comes together and you feel like you can go forever. Exhilaration? Joy? Elation?

My goal for the summer open water season is to strive for that feeling even when the conditions are rough. I want to be able to say it as almost a mantra when I'm in the water. I decided that this kind of goal was better than focusing too much on my times.


From: Terry Laughlin

Denise,

That's the perfect starting point for process-oriented goals. I've used various expressions, including Flow, Bliss, Nirvana, and Exhilaration. The pleasure it brings is so all-consuming that I'm intensely motivated toward the movements, behaviors and concentration that produce those moments. Repeating those movements, behaviors and concentration improves my swimming – which improves my times.

Choosing that goal in OW season is even better because the variability of conditions will require you to be more creative, focused and resourceful to find that sense of calm well-being in what may be rough water – but the rewards will be all the greater when you do. And OW is also well suited because once you do “find your bliss” you’ll be able to continue the movements that produce it without the interruption of a wall.