How to Overcome Anxiety of Swimming in a Long Course Pool

Staring down a long course (50-meter) pool might cause you anxiety when you’re making the change from a short course (25-yard or 25-meter) pool.

Here are a few tips to help make your transition easier. Please note I didn’t say easy but, rather, easier. The transition is challenging, but there’s nothing for you to worry about.

Length

This is the most common issue people have, especially newbies. It’s natural if you’re used to swimming just 25 yards or meters before getting to a wall.

To handle this, switch your brain from goal to process. Think about the movements that make you move through the water (process) rather than getting to the other side (goal). Concentrate on being good on the process and movements, and the goal takes care of itself.

Intervals

In general, a meter is about 10% longer than a yard. You cannot, however, just add 10% to your yards time to figure out your long course meters time.

Why? Because the fastest you move through the water (other than after your start) is off the walls. More walls equal faster times. This is why short-course meters times are so much faster than long-course meters times. Give yourself a break on intervals. 

Technique

Nothing exposes a technique flaw like long course. This is a good thing, because it lets you know something about your swimming.

You can use a time conversion tool to calculate what your short course times “should” be in long course. If you find that your actual long-course times don’t match, you can use the opportunity to explore why. When you swim short course, are you relying on your walls and underwaters to make up for a deficiency with your technique?

People

When a pool flips from short course to long course, there are fewer lanes, which means a whole lot of sharing. Although the lanes are wider and interaction is reduced, sometimes people who are used to having their own lane or splitting lanes are difficult to work with, which can increase your anxiety.

Talk to the coach or the lifeguard on duty and be friendly. Nice goes a long way, even with the grumpiest of people. Remind them that it’s a long pool and interaction will be minimal. If everyone is circle swimming (always staying on the right side of the lane), long-course swimming can feel much less crowded than short-course swimming.

Communication is key. Your workout is important, but so is your lane mate’s. Talking about your workout and planning helps alleviate conflicts.

Embrace the Transition

Transitioning from short course to long course is hard. You’ll be uncomfortable for a while.

If you swim with a club, that’s great. You have a coach and teammates to help you. If you’re on your own, it’s a little harder. At the same time, you’ll get to interact with new people and potentially make some new friends.

Be patient with yourself. Don’t think a conversion tool should dictate your swimming success. Learn from the process and how you can improve your technique if you’re a better short course swimmer than long course swimmer (for now).

Lots of swimmers are used to a routine and find comfort in it. Although it might be uncomfortable, embrace change and let it help you grow.