My Thoughts on Contractions and Training Smarter, Not Harder
Oct 16, 2024
I often hear freedivers say, “I don't like contractions.” But have you ever heard a runner say, “I don't like having sore legs”? No, of course not! It’s expected that your legs will be sore when you run, so why should it be any different with freediving?
The reason may lie in how primal the urge to breathe is. We breathe 20,000 to 30,000 times a day, and when you suddenly interrupt this autonomic process, your body is going to complain. Unlike in running, if you power through these signals with force, or take the wrong approach in your training, it can lead to a series of unwanted physiological reactions, making each training session feel harder and less enjoyable.
You may easily hit a mental roadblock as your nervous system tries to avoid these negative emotions as a form of self-preservation. Or on the surface, you might seem to be making progress, but underneath, you could be exhausting yourself and heading toward burnout. This deep negativity can become embedded in your nervous system, especially if you haven't built a solid foundation with care, patience, and positivity. An experienced and intuitive freediving coach can help! ;)
Instead of telling yourself that you 'dislike contractions,' that you must 'embrace the suck,' or even discussing 'the suffering,' try approaching freediving with a sense of curiosity and adventure. Ask yourself, “Hmm… what happens if I relax more or focus on the sensations the water is giving me? If you want to freedive for years to come, give yourself plenty of time to adjust to the stimuli you're introducing in training. This process can't be rushed, even though the ego would like us to become world champions yesterday, right?
Direct your mind where you want it to go. Don't fall in love with the goal; fall in love with the process. Stay present. Don’t ask your body to do what it’s not prepared to do, and don’t forget your inner smile! Before you know it, contractions will become your best friends, and you'll invite them in, just like I did many years ago - and I'm planning to for many years to come. I choose to train smarter, not harder. How about you?
