I've been meditating for over 25 years and found it to be very beneficial in all facets of life. It would take a small book to explain my experience but in a nutshell, I'd say it has helped in developing focus and awareness in situations while reducing emotional reactivity to events. One of the ways I think it effects my endurance training/racing is I'm better able to tolerate the discomfort when it gets tough. I can push myself more. I think it was Frank Shorter who said that the guy who wins the race is the guy who can tolerate the most pain. Paradoxically, by staying aware of bodily sensations, I feel I can sustain the effort longer. There was a discussion of this topic a few months back, I believe.

Wim Hof just did a Rich Roll

https://www.richroll.com/podcast/wim-hof-406/

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

I'd love to channel his skills for the cold swim at Indian Wells

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808 > NYC > PDX > YVR
2024 Races: Taupo

That piqued my interest. I knew of Wim before but never looked into it with any intention. I tried a few cold showers and loved it but wanted to do more of a structured program.

I'd rather Meditate, than Mediate.

While I've only been meditating for two years, I agree with the above. I went the route of guided meditation, initially with Tara Brach's audio files (https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/), but then switched over the Headspace app on my phone. It's $100/year that is well worth it. Ten minutes every morning. I've heard good things about the Calm app as well, although never having tried it myself.

I’ve been working with athletes on mindful meditation with neuro-feedback for over 3 years. Effectively what we’ve been trying to do is to train/race in a “flow” state. Meditation is the “gateway” to flow.

Some of the initial results have been:

Reduction of HR at the same pace of 20%.
Improved sleep
Stress reduction
Faster recovery
Decrease in perceived level of exertion

If you have any questions, let me know.

Tim

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http://www.magnoliamasters.com
http://www.snappingtortuga.com
http://www.swimeasyspeed.com

I'm an idiot.

I have the obvious question, how does this work? Are you meditating while training, practicing meditating before sessions, or a combination of the above? I would assume that it would be hard to maintain flow for the entirety of a race, so is the goal to get into flow during/prior to difficult patches?

It’s a process I’ve worked on for the past 3+ years. Yes, it involves meditation, some other “drills” that are designed around getting into “flow” and constant real time neuro-feedback in workouts and during meditation/brain training sessions.

You’d be surprised when you train for it. I had an athlete stay in “flow” for 90% of his marathon.

Tim

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http://www.magnoliamasters.com
http://www.snappingtortuga.com
http://www.swimeasyspeed.com

It's funny I also listened to the podcast too (and heard his initial one with Wim as well) and it dawned on me that this or something similar could perhaps be helpful with my swimming. Im an AOS 49 yrs old and being swimming for 18 months and breathing is still tough. My mechanics are ok but my comfort level isn't there and Im often out of breath to an extent that's not at all commiserate with my effort level. Something to "slow me down" and reduce the under current of anxiety.

You should look at YogiTriathlete.

Mindset based training...they are amazing.

There's a book out recently by Kaufman, Glass and Pineau called Mindful Sports Performance Enhancement: Mental Training for Athletes and Coaches which speaks to the flow experience and how to maximize the potential.

Coaches have talked about it for a long time. In swimming, it was always referred it to as "easy speed." Swimming fast with no effort. You'd feel it occasionally, but it was more like stumbling into it. No one could tell you how to train for it, what it really was or how to get back to it.

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http://www.magnoliamasters.com
http://www.snappingtortuga.com
http://www.swimeasyspeed.com

For me Headspace meditation app and the 5 minute Journal were great mindfulness gateways to tapping into the mental aspect of performance. 640 days in a row on Headspace, some habits are worth keeping.

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Professional Athlete: http://jordancheyne.wordpress.com/ http://www.strava.com/athletes/145340

Coaching Services:http://www.peakformcoaching.com/

Sounds interesting, can you provide more details.

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Let food be thy medicine...

What do you want to know?

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http://www.magnoliamasters.com
http://www.snappingtortuga.com
http://www.swimeasyspeed.com