Divemama,
Welcome aboard! There are many dynamic wackos here (most better than I, and obviously more bashful or training instead of working...sigh)
To keep distracted, I like to watch the sunlight play across the bottom of the pool and listen to the sounds of others swimming. I do a bit of what M-2 described with relaxing unused muscle groups (shoulders and abdomen can stay tensed and burn major O2). The turns are the killers. Learning and developing a good turn will help tons.
Once I get near to my personal best, I focus on how I my body is reacting to a hypoxic state. By doing this repeatedly, I now know what my blackout signposts are (so does my training partner).
Of course, I have not trained in weeks
Warmly,
Aaron
ps you DO have a partner who knows what to watch for and how to revive you...Right?!
