How to elevate your swimming next year

Try something new and something brave

Take a moment to look back on your swimming year. What stands out? What are you most proud of? It’s quite likely to be a swim (or series of swims) where you’ve pushed yourself outside of your comfort zone, done something brave or tried something new. It’s also likely that the effort you put into preparing for that swim has made you a stronger swimmer.

It’s not too early to start thinking about what you might do next year. Is there a swimming challenge that makes you nervous but also gets you excited? It might be a distance you haven’t swum before, a pool race that terrifies you (like 200m butterfly), your first open water event, or bringing your swimming skills to another type of event such as swimrun or triathlon.

Taking on this challenge could be your New Year’s Resolution but don’t leave it until 31 December to decide. That will mean deciding in a rush, not having a plan in place, and possibly giving up by the end of January. Instead, think about it now. Give the idea time to mature and develop.

Consider what you need to achieve your goal. Do you need to train more? Do you need advice on your swimming technique? Would it help to make some lifestyle changes? Do you need to build strength, improve mobility or deal with a niggling injury? Do you need help with all of these things?

Now work out how you will make all that happen. How many times each week will you swim? How will you structure those swims? When will you lift weights or stretch? What changes will you make to your diet?

If you spend December planning, then you can be ready on 1 January to start the process. Having a swimming goal is great, but it’s just a dream until you start following a plan. And it’s following the process, not achieving the goal, that will make you a better swimmer.

• If you’re looking for swimming inspiration, then check out any issue of Outdoor Swimmer (print subscribers get access to our full digital back catalogue).
• For ideas for events, see the event listings on our website (more will be available soon as organisers release their dates).
• For training tips and advice, visit the training section on our website.

Dream of something new and brave. Make a plan. Write it down. Follow the process.