We all know how to swim fast in theory: we are always trying to find out new ways of going faster, perfecting our swim stroke and getting a better feel for the water, but what we often forget is simply how to enjoy swimming.
Before I joined a swim team, my days in the pool passed slowly; I used to make my way to the edge of the pool as slow as a tortoise, “dip” my toes in the water to test the temperature and then, as if relaxing at some local spa, faff around for about 30 minutes before lowering my shoulders beneath the surface of the water.
Nowadays, in contrast, I get to the pool five minutes before my training session is due to begin after leaving work late and then, quick as you like, I get on the starting block and when my coach tells me to get going, I force myself to dive into the freezing cold water in the pool!
Every training session I swim along behind my training mates in the same lane, struggling to keep up and rather enviously noting how smoothly the one-hour training session goes by for the person who is not the slowest in the lane but rather the fastest in the slow lane. I can imagine the relaxing feeling of your feet entering the water with every leg kick while you hold onto your board, the joy of swimming freestyle without…
