Swimming the distance : and breaking through mental barriers

Abstract

Long Distance swimming contributes to life long fitness if practised on a regular basis. Although swimming is a very popular local pastime few take up swimming as their primary fitness workout. Reasons can vary from not enough time for the sport, fear of swimming in the open sea and the weather amongst others. Still, there are a few who do; these athletes experience anxieties prior to and during races and/or training. This study aimed to investigate fears and emotions before, during and after an open sea race. I also tried to understand how external factors such as the weather, the sea and marine life affect athletes during their performance. The study further delineates these factors to provide understanding of Long Distance swimmers' mental and physical states during these events and how these affect overall performance. Grounded theory has been used to investigate my studies. In grounded theory studies, data is coded; through these codes all data is analysed and discussed where the emerging theory is discovered. A reflective journal for a period of approximately two months during which six open water swims and a Gozo to Malta race, together with two interviews from swimmers of different levels have been documented. These recollections have helped to analyse and have been compared for deeper insight into the issues studied.