talk to me about swimming under stress

[lph]

re mantras: I have a running mantra just like roo4s, that goes "strength power joy!". I started with "strength power focus" but realized that focus is the last thing I need, I need to focus less, and enjoy more! So I added "joy" to remind me that I like moving and I like challenging myself, and that it's all supposed to be joyful and fun.

The first time I swam in open water by myself the place was deserted, the water was still black and spooky, and it was cold, harmless with a wetsuit on, but scary anyway. I had recently read about the first woman to run a marathon, and how the men around here protected her from irate officials, and I'd been listening to Muse as I biked to the lake. So I ended up with their song "Invincible" stuck in my head, and the picture of this woman running with a set of "bodyguards" around her - worked very well indeed

Now I need a mantra or thought that will tie in with rapid breathing. Working on it

This looks like a very useful link, on what makes tri swim starts different from other swimming:
http://www.active.com/triathlon/Arti...Swim_Start.htm