HI guys,
I've heard it's partly talent and genetics, but MOSTLY training.
I suspect I'd TOTALLY SUCK at competition--informal competitions between hubby & me, in the swimming pool--when I was hittin' the 4+s easily BY MYSELF--outta water--NOT CHEATING....and I was watchin' the clock REAL CAREFULLY...well--hubby almost ALWAYS beat me--AND HE SMOKES!!!
I stayed under about 75 seconds--he stayed under, a few more seconds. Maybe 85 or 90. There was no preparation--hyperventilating--to be sure, I say that in MY defense--by MY defense sucks, neither of us "prepared." Hubby just had more--ah--WILLPOWER--he put it, "I'm willing to suffer more." I came up when I was hurting.
I DID hyperventilate for the 4's--actually, anything beyond the 2's. I DEFINITELY HYPERVENTILATED for the 6:40!!!!!!!!!
I've noticed something about COMPETING unnerves me...maybe I "know" I'm not that good, maybe I'm not comfy in the spotlight...Oh, Jeepers, I'm NOT!
So, I go off somewhere and hide--to do my real good holds, like I'm committing a CRIME or something!
I hyperventilate anywhere between 30 seconds and 3-4 minutes, depending on the ''experiment of the day." I get 2+--4+, depending on how well focused I am--how confident I feel, etc.
And should I want a SIX--I CHEAT-- !
OK--the 6:40 dropped in on me unexpectedly--I was totally relaxed, unworried--focused...but not going for any particular length--not even watching the clock carefully--just practicing, playing, having fun, killing time.... So, I didn't have a problem with breathing in just a tiny bit to lengthen it just a tiny bit--I was almost finished anyway....OH HOW I REGRETTED NOT DOING IT PROPERLY--MEANING OFFICIAL PROTOCOL.
That would've been Guinness Book of World Records protocol--then. In 1976.
But, now--I gotta 'nother CHANCE--not to necessarily set a record or anything--my self-worth DOESN'T DEPEND ON IT. I got JESUS!
Still, I struggle with the performance trap, not as intensely--but I still do...Christians aren't made of stainless steel....
I WISH WE WERE sometimes!
I still dream of records--wish I had one--just know my life doesn't depend on it....
So, like the song says--''Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...."
LONG holds are FUN--but NOT the ONLY fun.
Water Rat--Still dreamin' (But couldn't set a world record if her life depended on it!!!) It's such a HEAD TRIP--LOL!
BUT--glad she's got other freedivers to TALK TO NOW...makes a lady feel less WEIRD!