Even athletes need to go back to 'grassroots' practices .... post 8

Briefly we'll shift a little to focus on the tri-swimmer, an athlete who participates in a 'triathlon' which is a multi-sport endurance event consisting of swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances

Regardless of the level of achievement in this or any sport discipline, from time to time it is necessary to return to basics to correct little faults and bad habits which creep in affecting the overall performance of, which has an affect on the 'mental' state of the athlete. They too must go back to the very basics of swimming techniques, form and skills, part practices and swimming drills, stretching the mind/body/emotions

We are back to 'thinking'. For the athlete, the teacher, the beginner tri-athlete, this insight is of value to you 

Most tri-athletes find that physically and/or psychologically the swimming segment of a triathlon to be the most difficult.  Swimming technique is not good. Most are inexperienced in open water swimming. The water is cold. It is windy. The water environment we are swimming in is sometimes deep, currents vary, unknown beneath the surface of the water

Swimming is our biggest challenge, the first segment of the triathlon. Only we can make the difference for ourselves with a positive attitude before and during our swim to give us a good start toward training and competing, concentration and knowledge of all features and phases of our stroking cycle, and their purpose (understanding how and why), of our breathing, our body position 

Water is kinder to you and your body than the other segments of a triathlon. You can learn to appreciate and enjoy this kindness. During your swim you can mentally prepare yourself for the changeover to and for the next leg of the discipline so as to be more rhythmic, graceful, efficient in water.

We can develop a love for and enjoy the water for the medium that she is and look forward to the swimming segment of the triathlon training and competition

Did you know that the first triathlon in Africa, sponsored by Totalsport was held in Cape Town, January 1984 followed by The Peninsula Iron Man, February 1984