Who Is Your Enemy? (Swim/Sports)

As schools are starting back up, thus begins fall sports. Just some things to think about as everyone is getting into competitions. It took me years to realize this as well. And now that I know it, it has made my season that much less stressful. Also, this is written in direct relation to swim but you can kind of direct these feelings and thoughts toward any sport.

She is not your enemy.

She may be competing with you,

But she is not your biggest threat. 

Your biggest threat is the girl you see in the mirror. 

Your biggest problem is how you are going to beat your own time. 

Sure, you want to be the fastest in your heat. 

Sure, you want that winning trophy and top spot on the platform.

But is it really worth it, when you don't challenge how good you were before?

Before the hours you spent training up until that meet.

Before the sweat you put in at every set, of every practice, of every day.

Before you wipe the tired tears as you wake for early morning practice.

The enemy is you, all the doubt you have that you can't succeed.

All of the voices in your head telling you that winning is everything.

Because at the end of the day, will you really remember the name of the girl who beat you?

Or will you remember the tears of joy you felt when you beat your time, 

the well deserved tears to show that you beat yourself.

That girl swimming next to you, 

She wants to win as badly as you. 

Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, you and her are similar.

That you both think you want to beat each other because it will make you happy?

But would be more happy for beating a girl, you probably don't even know the name of.

Or for taking down the one, who is the hardest to?

Because no matter how fast you get, there will always be a time to beat.

And one day you may find yourself up against a race where there is no challenge.

And when that time comes, you won't feel good about coming in first.

You will feel good when you look up at your time and see that it is a personal best.

Because your time should never be satisfying for too long. 

You shouldn't get comfortable swimming the same time meet after meet.

Because that is what training is for. 

You train so you can get better.

Not so you can be satisfied that your best for the moment is your best for good.

Keep trying to push yourself to beat yourself.

Because the girl swimming next to you is not your enemy. 

You are your own worst enemy.