Killer 25s!
I’m reading a book on leadership and something really struck recently. The chapter was about believing in your team and being sure they knew it. It reminded me of my first year on the swim team.
I joined the swim team as a freshman in high school. My parents were a little shocked yet very supportive. Now, I was a decent swimmer but had never swam for a club or any other competitive swimming events. Honestly? My first week, I had trouble swimming 50 full yards!
1 dive. 1 breath. 25 yards.
Fast forward to the middle of the season. It’s a Friday practice, and coach was letting us have a somewhat lighter practice. After 75 minutes of intense practice, we get the next, and last drill: Killer 25s.
A Killer 25 is a dive off the starting block and swimming the whole 25 yards without a breath.
Coach yelled, “Four Killer 25s and then you’re done.”
As we’re getting out of the shallow end and making our way to the starting blocks, he adds, “For every one that Van Haecke does, that’s one less.”
The whole team turned and stared at me.
Time for me immediately stopped. I could feel each drop of water slowly sliding down my arms. The chlorine burned my nose, and my mouth went dry.
The argument could be made that I still can’t dive!
Now for some honesty: I couldn’t dive. I had tried to learn for many years and just couldn’t get it. I was extremely embarrassed watching film of our first meet. As the starting gun broke the silence, I could see the other swimmers get a 5 – 10-yard start as they pushed their way off the blocks. I just jumped and landed within one yard of the lane.
That being the case, a Killer 25 was even more of a challenge for me. Could I do it? Will I let everyone down? Are these guys going to hate me after today? I wanted to shrink into my towel and disappear into the locker room, never to be seen again.
I held back and played small. Eventually, I was the last to go for the first one. Stepping onto the block, I kept telling myself “I can do this” while my whole body screamed differently.
I stepped onto the block, felt the whole time watching, and took a number of deep breaths. I crouched onto the starting block and pushed off. Well, more like a rock dropping straight down into the water!
Immediately, I went into my freestyle. Reaching and pulling, pushing the water behind me, kicking like a madman! About ten yards out, my lungs started to burn. I pulled the water harder, forcing my head deeper into the wake. Three more strokes, two more, one – I did it! I reached the wall! Standing up, I took a huge gasp of air. And the whole team cheered!
That’s one for me; one less for the team!
I climbed out of the pool with a huge grin on my face. Even the coaches were clapping, and we made our way back to the blocks for our next one.
My heart is racing. I’m gulping air. My legs are shaking, and my mind is telling me “I can’t do another one.”
Again, I’m the last one on the block, all by myself as the rest of the team has already finished their second Killer 25. It all rides on me now.
I step onto the block and start breathing deep.
“Van Haecke! I’m dry and I don’t want to get back in.” It’s one of our captains that I looked up to.
Now it’s real. I couldn’t let him down; I couldn’t let the team down. I couldn’t let myself down.
Again, I “dive” off the block like a rock. Again, I’m reaching for the wall and kicking like I can. This time, my lungs start burning earlier. It feels like I’m only halfway! Keep reaching, keep kicking, keep that head down, don’t take a breath.
Suddenly, my hand hits the wall! I made it. I jump out of the water for a huge breath and hear the whole team cheering! The captain comes over and offers a hand to help me out of the pool.
Reflecting on that moment, I realize there’s more than one way to tell someone you believe in them. Sometimes, it’s as easy as “Hey, I believe in you;” others, it’s “I’m dry and I don’t want to get back in.”
Take time soon to tell someone important you believe in them. Here’s your script: “Hey, [name,] I believe in you.” How’d it go? Let me know below, I’m curious!