Mental Training....

In swimming there are days when your training session is about mental strength, for instance today was one of those kind of sessions, where you are in the pool and you are following the black line up and down for an hour, and you are not allowed to stop. Normally I would put my iPod on and let the music take my mind to another place, but this morning I decided to just push through and use visualization techniques to help me get through this session. Its easy to get into the rhythm with your stroke and breathing, but its the mind that likes to play the games.

So here is what was going through my mind in today's swim...catch up and over take training partner as he started in the water before me, keep to a steady pace and keep breathing calm. Neat and fluid tumble turns. Shoulder is tight...no all ok now, keep going...Rottnest swim keep this pace and you will be there before you know it...10km swim one or two stops at food station...one is should be enough...ok keep elbows high, calm the breathing, and maintain pace, don't let him pass you....

As you can see so much can go through your mind in such a short space of time. I am finding there is no negative things that run through my head these days compared to late last year when I would over think an event.

As it is now just days away from doing my first Busselton Jetty Swim, I am excited and ready to take on another new event for me. The Jetty Swim has been going for years, and as part of my training for Rottnest Channel swim this 3.6km jetty swim will be another great event to participate in.

On the nutritional side of my training, I have had to step up the calorie intake so I can gain another 8 kilos, as well as do my swimming training and weight training. I started taking a weight gainer supplement which is good, as it is one of the best on the market, and as my dietitian said to me yesterday that by taking this and also adding extra calorie dense foods as well for snacks during the day it will all work out. The gain of weight is to make sure that I have good energy levels which will help as I go through my gym sessions and build strength, and to reduce the risk of hypothermia when swimming long open water distances.

As someone who has had an eating disorder and felt very uncomfortable with weight on, this is definitely the most positive I have ever been about weight gain. I know I need the extra weight on, and doing it in a very healthy way and being supervised by my dietitian during this time. Two years ago I would never have thought I would be 52 kg, which is what I am at the moment, let a lone being 60kg ever. The only time I have been close or over 60kg was when I was pregnant with my kids. I am finally in the best frame of mind for this kind of weight gain and maintaining it.

Have an awesome week and may you float like a butterfly and sting like a bee...

Hayley xx