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REFLECT, RECOVER, AND REFOCUS

Paul Newsome looks at maintaining health and fitness in the off-season

As the swimming season winds down and cooler months begin to settle in, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your swimming journey and plan. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or someone who swims for fitness and health, this transitional period offers an opportunity to take stock of your progress, review your techniques and goals, and create a clear plan for the next phase of your swimming. This month we will focus on the importance of reviewing your season, setting realistic goals and using recovery sessions to transition smoothly into your next phase of training. There are also two simple yet effective recovery sessions that can help you get back on track while aligning with this reflection and planning theme.

TAKING STOCK: REVIEWING YOUR SEASON

Before planning your future training, it’s essential to reflect on what you’ve achieved this past season. Ask yourself these key questions:

• What were my major accomplishments? Did you hit any personal bests, complete a challenging open water swim, or simply maintain a consistent swimming schedule?

• Where did I struggle? Were there certain areas, like pacing or breathing, where you found yourself falling short?

• What was my overall health and fitness throughout the season?

Consider any injuries or periods of fatigue and reflect on how they impacted your performance and enjoyment.

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Outdoor Swimmer
October 24
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