Why it isn’t necessarily a failure if you don’t complete your swim

We should be more thoughtful in our use of the “f” word, says Simon Griffiths

Failure is a strong and loaded word. Nobody likes to fail. But if you take on swimming challenges, especially ones on the edge of your current capabilities, there’s a chance you might not achieve what you set out to.

We often say we’ve failed if we don’t complete a swim. Sometimes that failure is beyond your control, such as if the weather changes unexpectedly. Other times, it’s not clear where the fault lies. Perhaps you become injured or ill during a swim. Is that bad luck or because you weren’t properly prepared? Or could your mind be playing tricks on you?

Finally, failure can be attributed to misjudgement on your part such as a pacing, navigation or nutrition error.

Failure means failure, doesn’t it?

But are we too harsh on ourselves with this talk of failure? I’ve pulled out of swims because I was cold, which seems like an obvious failure. However, I’ve also finished races despite hypothermia requiring medical treatment. In hindsight, this was a stupid thing to do but at the time, it felt like a success. I’d pushed through and overcome. But maybe the times I pulled out because I was cold should be counted as successes too. At least I was sensible and didn’t end up in hospital, or worse.

Then there are times when I’ve pushed through injury to finish a challenge but then spent months afterwards recovering and not training. The brief feeling of elation at battling through was meagre compensation for the subsequent loss of fitness and boredom of rehabilitation. Shouldn’t we consider pulling out and preventing long-term harm as a success rather than a failure?

Learning from failure

It’s a cliché, but failure is also a teacher. Every time you don’t achieve something you set out to do gives you an opportunity to learn.

At UltraSwim 33.3 #2Montenegro, in 2023, I had to pull out halfway through because of breathing difficulties. This was an event that I assumed I could complete so I was frustrated and disappointed. Afterwards, I had several medical tests to ensure I had no underlying condition and spent time reflecting on what had happened, and why. I spoke with people who had similar experiences on long swims. I learned more about Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema (SIPE, a possible diagnosis for my breathing difficulties) and explored ways to reduce the risk in future swims.

Recently, I took part in UltraSwim 33.3 #4Greece, which covered the same distances in the same four-day format as Montenegro. I was anxious the same thing would happen again but hopeful that it wouldn’t because of the differences. The warmer water temperature allowed me to swim without a wetsuit (both cool water and wetsuit use can be contributing factors to SIPE) and I made changes to my pacing and nutrition. I was also better prepared physically and mentally. Happily, it all came together and not only did I finish but I felt stronger and more confident every day.

Interestingly, my emotions on finishing were mixed. I expected to be delighted. Instead, I was relieved, obviously, but also a little disappointed it was all over as I’d been enjoying the swimming so much. I started wondering if maybe I didn’t try hard enough or if I could have gone faster.

Success, like failure, is also a loaded word. Everyone likes to succeed, but it may not give you exactly what you expect, just as failure is not necessarily a disaster. While we may think of failure as absolute, really it depends on your framing. If failure saves you from a calamity, that is surely a success. Failure will also teach you things and maybe point you in new and unexpected directions. Next time a swim doesn’t go to plan, feel free to feel upset and disappointed. That’s normal. But don’t stop there. Learn the lesson, make the necessary changes and come back and try again, differently. The only real failure is a failure to learn.

Main image: On the podium in 3rd (Male, non-wetsuit) at UltraSwim 33.3 #4Greece (c)bladphoto / UltraSwim 33.3