Amazing Motivational Clip With Lots of Amazing Tips!

You have to take a look at this motivational video clip. We can learn so many things from this amazing slice of sports history. It is the story of the 1983 New York City Marathon, where Rod Dixon a heavy underdog in the race, defeated the decorated and heavily favored English Runner Geoff Smith in the final seconds of the race. One of the things I love about the clip is the Rod narrates the clip and you get inside the head of a champion. I think anybody can use this clip to improve their swimming or athletic performance on a number of levels.

1. Preparation and confidence in preparation- If you want to take your swimming to the next level, you have to be willing to prepare and put in the work that others will not. Are you getting to practice on time, participating in voluntary dry land workouts, and putting your best effort every day? This will not only give you a physiological advantage but a mental one also. Rod is at the starting line and he reflects very quickly on his preparation. He knows the work has been done, and now is the time to enjoy the fruits of his labor! Prepare and have confidence in yourself. Not preparing will produce the opposite effect.

2. Control our emotions- A swim meet and racing can be a very emotional experience. We go through several phases of confidence, doubt, excitement, and nervousness. You have to not only have confidence at the start of the race, but during the race no matter what the distance.

3. Race your race- On race day stick to your plan. Your competition may start faster then you would like, novices take off and burn out later. You know your body better then anybody else! Stick to your plan and your race. When racing, don't worry about your competition-forget about turning your head during a race-look forward. I love the way that the character is able to use self-control to hold back even though the leaders pull away.

4. Racing is not only a physical contest-but also mental!- At one point during the race, the main character is gaining on the leaders and realizes that even though he is gaining on the leaders, the race isn’t long enough to catch them at his current pace. Watch how he uses his brain to overcome the challenge. The most fit swimmer does not always win the race. During a race, can you draft off a faster swimmer? Can you keep you turns and streamlines seamless? Use your brain, not only your body.

5. Grit and determination- To be a champion you have to be mentally tough. There will be times where everything is telling your body to slow down. The best athletes can overcome this and swim through extreme fatigue. This is a skill that is learned through practice. You have to train yourself to swim through pain. The pain I describe in not a pain from injury but rather from exhaustion. If you have an injury, this is not meant to tell you to swim through it. However, pain from exhaustion can be mentally beaten through repeated exposure to high levels of stress during practice. Are you willing to test your boundaries?

6. Get inside the head of the competition- I hate to spoil this for you, but when the main character passes the race leader, he runs as fast as he can to emotionally devastate him. His plan worked. This can be used on a number of levels. At the start of a race, reflect on your training and be confident. Don't ask your competition their most recent times, keep them wondering about you. At the start, keep your head focused on the end of the pool. There is nothing more intimidating to your competition that a confident swimmer looking forward and mumbling self-assuring slogans. Let's take our swimming to the next level this year and have our competition worrying about us!

7. Run to the finish- It’s ok to be human. We may not always hit our goal times and we may fall short. However, never leave anything in the pool or on during dryland workouts. As a matter of fact, if you don't fall short every now and then, you aren't setting your goals high enough. Do your best and if that isn't enough get back on the horse and race another day.

8. Be gracious and good sportsman- After winning one of the greatest races in history, the main character praises his competitor and stated that he couldn’t have had the spectacular race without him. How classy! Before the race, be focused on yourself and tactfully intimidate the competition. Afterwards, be the consumate sportsman and congratulate the competition on a job well done.

Enjoy!