24/04/2026
I’ve loved open water swimming for about 13 years, come rain, shine, snow, I would get in the water almost every week. But practicalities got in the way and then the practicalities which held me back were no longer there, but I hadn’t got back in the water.
This week I did.
During some recent Yoga classes I’d been taking inspiration from the 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. And it was the 3rd Agreement - Don’t Make Assumptions, that helped me see what was in the way.
I was assuming it would just be too cold to restart now, better to wait to later, assuming I didn’t have the time, & assuming getting up extra early would be too much.
So what if I let go of all those assumptions, & just did it??
This is what I did:
A) Booked myself on!
B) Decided to not push myself, recognising that I want to allow my body to acclimatise, & making sure I have a positive experience.
C) Not letting assumptions get in the way, asking what is really true. Is it really true to get my full face & head in the water is impossible due to brain freeze. For the first 150m I got more & more of my face in the water, & with brain freeze that only lasted a few seconds, & slow progression with my breath as a guide, only going further when I felt no need to even slightly gasp air in, I did it. Head fully in, & then rewarded with a smooth powerful glide through the water in my front crawl.
D) I know it was only 350m, & I used to swim 2K. But it was my first swim back & in 10 degrees water. I was proud how my swim fitness hadn’t completely been lost! And the strength from my yoga practice & I think the 30 min ball rolling to release my back & shoulder muscles pre swim really helped.
So those assumptions that held me back; not true.
And I’m all booked in for next week.
So if this has inspired you, then ask yourself; What assumptions might be holding you back from doing something you love?
From my heart to yours
xx