The Robben Island swim is a very big and intimidating goal. I go between being really scared and then exhilarated about this goal. The ocean is very wide and deep.

Facing my fears has been something I have always wanted to do. It’s not something that we would usually choose to do as it means changing our thought processes and our habits in a big way. During the lockdowns a lot of my depression and anxiety came back in full force and I could barely function. In 2021 I needed to place myself in line to receive better for myself. I needed a goal that was both doable and a fair challenge.

I started to talk to some people about it in March or April 2021 and then I realised that I had talked myself into it. With that, I knew that I needed to get a coach and learn how to do this as I haven’t had any experience with long-distance swimming. I was also feeling really out of my league as I know that my stroke needed correction. The longest that I could swim was 200m which is the equivalent of about twenty residential pool lengths. My dad always used to challenge me to swim twenty lengths in our pool. I don’t know why twenty lengths but that was the distance. I would also challenge myself in the pool. I would swim underwater lengths to see how long I could hold my breath.

This challenge takes me back to my love of the sea and water. I grew up going to Fishoek Beach to swim in the sea and eat ice cream, build sandcastles and do things that kids love to do at the beach. I used to get dunked by the waves until my dad taught me how to go under them instead of jumping over them. I haven’t ever learnt how to surf but that will be another goal for another day.

This fear is about dark water in the sea specifically.

Not knowing what is in the water is really scary for me. I will overcome it though.

TOWARDS the goal
Robben Island swim
11 June 2023

The facing fears bucket list

I’m 8 weeks away from the swim. It’s getting real now, and I aim to get in the pool as often as possible. Any pool.

Yesterday afternoon I swam in Stellenbosch again and it was beautiful. Fewer lengths to count in a 50m pool!

I’m gaining distance at this stage and getting my body ready for endurance as the swim is 7.5 to 8km after all.

An interesting fact is now that there is no annual swim race there are actually swimmers doing the Robben Island swim every week. Weather dependant, at least 20 swimmers do the crossing every week during the season. If you follow Big Bay events you’ll see every time a group goes out. Usually, it’s the island escape but not always.

As yet I don’t know if anyone will be swimming with me. Right now it’s all booked for that weekend and I’m getting the distance in on the water.

Towards the goal

Robben Island swim

11 June 2023

First, we need to define what executive function is for those who don’t know.

In a previous post, I did share the definition so I’ll share the link again to refresh your memory: Guide to Executive Function

The just of it is that it helps you arrange your time and tasks and helps you switch focus and plan and organise things.

I struggle with this and it does affect me but that doesn’t mean that I can’t do things at all. Many make the assumption that because you find it difficult to plan and execute tasks you can’t do them at all. This is not true!

My thought process in doing tasks is very lengthy. Thinking through everything can also be very tiring but I have to do it otherwise I will get distracted and lost in the task. I have worked very hard to be able to finish tasks and projects, especially those that are longer-term projects and assignments. My motivation levels are hard to keep going when I have this struggle with ADHD.

Right now the process of training for this swim is very long and has been long. the process of writing my book is the same as tidying up my space so that I can work as well. All of them require many hours of work. In my mind, I have to lay out that everything in all those long-term goals will not happen in one day or one week but rather steady progress over a longer time.

How do I keep motivated right now with all my tasks?

I need to keep the end goal in my mind as I do bite-size pieces every day. It’s a struggle but I have to do it.

What struggles do you have when you need to finish longer-term tasks and goals?

Louise and frog

View of Robben Island in the distance.

I usually end my posts with the quote, “Remember the goal.” This helps me to keep motivated. Why? Let me explain. I watched a movie during lockdown about an athletics cross-country team. I used to run cross country in high school so I could relate to the movie’s story. It was about a new coach coaching the team for the new cross-country season. The team didn’t like her at first because she was not running the training the same as the last coach.

Sometimes when things change or someone does something a different way we get our noses out of joint because they don’t tell us why. This coach didn’t tell the team WHY she was asking them to go slower at the distances in every practice instead of going faster. The previous coach had coached them to go faster and then when the nationals came around the team was all worn out and was not able to perform.

Every time I write that I remember that I must get the distance in for the swim and the speed will take care of itself. Today I again remind myself that that is what I am aiming for. Distance over speed right now!

Remember the goal
Robben Island
11 June 2023

The facing fears bucket list

This last week I managed to swim 3x2km. Finally!

My abdominal muscles are really feeling it a lot at the moment.

This week my goal is to swim 4×2.5km and finally break the 2km barrier in the pool.

Is well 3/12 this week and I can feel the pressure building. This is when discipline needs to kick in and do the training no matter what my motivation or feeling is.

I’ll be walking to the pool this week. So extra exercise to get there and back. 6km x 2.

I have to keep pushing as I want to finish this swim, not just start it. The goal is to do a Robben Island swim!

Remember the goal

Robben Island swim

11 June 2023

#robbenislandswim45 #facingfearsbucketlist #overcomingthefearofdarkwater