This has been on the “to post” list for quite some time now. However, as I was swimming the other day in one of my injuries-suck-shopping-make-me-feel-better new swimsuits, I realized it never actually was posted!!
The Kayak Theory….
Go ahead on the right hand side and type “kayak” in my search Where Do I Find? Bar. (Or don’t… cause I’m just gonna’ tell you what happens.) You will be directed to my New Bri Tri race report. Upon hitting ⌘F (find!) and typing this auspicious word, you will be taken to the swim where I tell you “I have this kayak theory…” and then that’s about all you get.
Helpful… right?
OK, ok, I’m just waisting time here. I think because it’s hard to explain what the “Kayak Theory” is. But I will try.
Kay•ak The•o•ry:
Noun. A mental state and self-imagery technique employed in which you visualize yourself as a kayak, moving swiftly and effortlessly through water. You are streamlined, and completely aerodynamic (aquadynamic I know is not a word… is there a word for that?) with no drag and zero inefficient-ness. Your arms are like paddles, alternating left, right, left, right, taking the same amount of time on each side to complete a stroke. Your hands are the blades, slicing just perfectly into the water, fingers staying tightly together and pushing you forward through the water. And to top it all off, you’re all headed for this:
The first time I ever felt like this kayak while swimming was last summer at one Thursday group workout. Thursdays are typically reserved for longer endurance swims, while Tuesdays are shorter speed intervals. We had a 1000 steady on the plan, and I remember a few hundred yards something clicked, and I thought about how efficient I had suddenly felt.
Thus, the Kayak Theory was concocted.
Thinking of this “kayak theory” has helped me on numerous occasions. There was one time when I was definitely mid-panic in the lake, and I talked myself out of it by reminding myself to just “get like the kayak!” And then there was New Bri Tri… where I felt AWESOME in the ¼ mile swim back to shore. I was the kayak.
You too my friend can be the Kayak.
If goodness-gracious all that is just too much for you to handle… (or you missed the memo on the color “sarcasm”) my girl Dori will give it to you straight.
“Just keep swimming… Just keep swimming!”
-E
Comment By: DRog
July 6th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Perfect timing…I’ll put to use tomorrow in my OWS:)
DRog´s last blog ..1st Triathlon – LTF ahead
Comment By: Leah
July 6th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
aquadynamic=streamlined!
Comment By: Aimee (I Tri To Be Me)
July 6th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I love the kayak theory! I’ll definitely think about it the next time I’m swimming!
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me)´s last blog ..A great weekend-
Comment By: kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com
July 6th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
this is a good theory for life too!!! just keep swimming!! <3
Comment By: Mellissa
July 7th, 2010 at 7:38 am
It is a great analogy, I don’t swim very often anymore but I really should get back in a pool!
Mellissa´s last blog ..Wide Open
Comment By: Jon
July 7th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Nice! I love that feeling. You felt “hydrodynamic”.
Jon´s last blog ..My clothes dont fit anymore
Comment By: sarah
July 7th, 2010 at 10:53 am
I swim instead by the flotilla theory. It works out…not that well.
sarah´s last blog ..Seriously
Comment By: Karyn
July 7th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
hahah i need to start swimming again! your posts always remind me of that and then i never do. but i love the kayak theory. definitely applies to just more than swimming, kayaking or running. going to keep that in mind as i keep prepping for my test
p.s. thanks for the tips on where to run in philly! definitely going to have to check them out
Karyn´s last blog ..Lame and Out of Focus
Comment By: Emily (A Nutritionist Eats)
July 7th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I LOVE that picture! Beautiful!
I think I sometimes apply this theory in yoga…
Emily (A Nutritionist Eats)´s last blog ..beef -amp vegetable noodle stir-fry
Comment By: Frayed Laces
July 7th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I think thats a great visualization! It really forces to to work on your catch and pull too. I’ll give it a try…thanks!
Comment By: Betsy
July 7th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Great mental imagery….I would definitely like to look like a kayak not a bull dozer! I love when I actually feel fluid in the water – I wish it happened more!!!
Comment By: Chelsea
July 7th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
I’ve never felt that way swimming, but I love it when I run and everything feels fluid. I love that kayaking picture. It looks so serene. I wish I were there right now.
Chelsea´s last blog ..Getting an MS in Baking- Dutch Baby
Comment By: kate
July 7th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
i think i would like to kayak much more than i would swim. and in the random but fun file, i really want to name a dog nemo. wouldn’t that be kind of fun?
kate´s last blog ..tone deaf and ice cream maker questions
Comment By: Julia
July 7th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
My hubby just bought a kayak, I really want him to come kayak while i swim!
Hope your injury is on the mend.
Comment By: katie
July 8th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
WOW girl your comment was SUCH a blessing!!!! Oh my goodness!! AMEN TO THAT PRAYER! wow, you rock!!
and i LOVE kayaking!
Comment By: glidingcalm
July 10th, 2010 at 10:16 am
now i want to go swimming!!!
glidingcalm´s last blog ..What foods do you crave in the heat-
Comment By: Emily
July 12th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Cool theory! I love that Dori quote! lol I have been known to blurt it out randomly.
Comment By: Jamie
July 13th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Great post. I don’t think people focus on visualization enough in training. It is sometimes a consideration before/during racing, but this is a great one. I’ll have to use it during my next long swim.
I can swim pretty far, but not too fast. Hopefully visualizing having bigger paddles will do the trick.
Jamie´s last blog ..Charging The Canadian Border
Comment By: Joanna Sutter (Fitness & Spice)
July 15th, 2010 at 5:20 am
I think you are brilliantly clever, little fish!