“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
During training, I am usually very focused and determined, but I welcome the encouragement of others around me. The new group that I am swimming with is not very inspiring, which is a disadvantage during practice because you can only get so much from self-motivation. Even a “you can do it” from a teammate can help me get through a set, but lately my team has not been too motivating. However, encouragement from others is not the only thing that makes me want to work harder, music can also play a factor.
I know some athletes that cannot train without music. They say it messes up their stride or focus. I am not one of those athletes, but I do occasionally like to let music drive me. In swimming, the sound of music is rare, because your head in underwater 99% of the time, and many swimmers complain about that. I have learned that sometimes it isn’t music itself that inspires me, but the lyrics, so I often sing songs to myself while I swim. Those songs help me, but there are still times when I wish I had an underwater ipod!
Yesterday’s swim workout was particularly brutal one, and about one-fourth of the way through I had run out of songs. I was starting to fade. We were do 30x 100’s and after #6, I was extremely discouraged. I kept going, slowly but surely, but when I touched the wall and went to turn on #15, everything changed. I had made the interval and was enjoying a short ten second break, when my teammate, Sarah Jabusch looks over at me and starts singing Bon Jovi. “We’re halfway there, ohh, living on a prayer-” is all I heard before she had to push off the wall to start her 16th 100, but it was enough to keep me going for the whole rest of the set. My times started to drop and things were looking up. That little “burst of song” is what drove me for the rest of the practice and it exactly what I needed.
Music can change a person, and my experience is proof of that. You don’t need fancy speakers or rhythmic drummers, just a group of kids willing to motivate each other with lyrics. Certain songs have different effects and sometimes all I need is a little Bon Jovi.
Glad I could help. Can’t wait ’till next time!