Open water swimming

When you 1st learn to swim in open water, you have to lift your head up to look for your marker every couple of strokes. If you don’t you will end up swimming in a huge “S” and significantly increasing the distance that you swim.

While looking up to find your mark saves on distance, every time you do it you sacrifice speed and exert extra energy. Over time, your technique becomes more sound and you can keep your head down longer.

This is the same when working toward any goal. The more often you have to alter your stroke to find your mark the more the energy you’ll expend. The longer you go without checking your mark, the further you’ll have to travel before arriving.

Step 1: Start swimming.

Step 2: Check your mark periodically.

Step 3: Realize it’s not a race.

Step 4: Recognize that your mark will move.

Step 5: Don’t miss the dolphins swimming next to you.