Have you noticed fun things generally have a countdown.
Think:
- The New Year’s Eve Time Square Ball Drop.
- Rocket Launches (T-Minus 10, 9, 8…)
- Football and Basketball game clocks.
There’s something about the anticipation, the fun, the excitement, and the finality of a countdown.
For me, exercising, counting down became a multiplier. When I am swimming laps, I tried to count up, but I’d always lose track or become bored. Now, I count down. I’m focused. I rarely lose track of laps, and It frees my mind to meditate on a mantra of the day. So, if my set is 500 yards in a 25 yard pool, I’m starting at 20, and counting down. This also allows me to count up my strokes or breaths as I swim. I can have two different counts going on at the same time.
I do the same for weight lifting. I will have a 4 sets of 12. I’ll count down 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. When I am doing 60 second planks, I do the same counting down the 60 seconds. Now, occasionally, I’ll push myself and do two extra laps, one more rep, or 10 more seconds.
I find myself much more focused, much more energized, and enjoy exercising. I think less and it becomes more intuitive. So, for your next training session, I suggest, like a NASA rocket launch, you start your count down!
Today’s swim workout:
Dryland:
- 60 second jogging in place
- Weights (4 sets)
- Chest: 12 x 3olb Dumbell Bench Press
- Back: 12 x 20 lb Dumbell seated pulls
- Abs:
- Upper: 15 crunches
- Lower: 12 knee ups
- Side: 12 oblique v-ups
- Back: 12 reverse exercise ball crunches
- Transvers Abs: 60 Second plank
- 120 second full body Stretching
At the Pool
Warmup:
- Active Stretching: Arm Circles and leg swings
- 150 Freestyle no flip turns
- 150 freestyle with flip turns
- 100 Backstroke
- 100 Breast stroke
Main Sets:
- 500 yard Kickboard freestyle kick
- 100 Paddles freestyle
- 100 paddles backstroke
- 100 paddles & pull buoy freestyle
- 100 paddles & pull buoy back stroke
- 150 paddles & pull buoy freestyle
- 100 paddles & pull buoy back stroke
- 150 freestyle (no tools)
- 100 backstroke (no tools)
- 150 freestyle
- 100 backstroke
Cool Down:
- 300 yard freestyle with paddles and pull buoy
- 300 yard freestyle
- Stretching:
- Shoulders
- Arms
- Kneck
- Hips
- Calves
- Legs
Longer day today warranted a 10 minute sauna visit. Lovely day for a swim. See you tomorrow.