How your mindset can help you train smarter & race stronger at the Great North Swim

*By Rebecca Wetten, Co-Founder & Head Coach at Catch*

Training for the Great North Swim isn’t just about drills, distances or braving your first chilly dip. Your mindset is the quiet sidekick that shapes how you learn, how you bounce back from wobbles & how calm you feel on race day. Nail this part, & the rest of your training feels a whole lot easier.

What is Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is simply the belief that you can get better with practice. That’s it. No magic. No genius gene. Just showing up, learning & trying again.

A fixed mindset sounds like:

“I’m not a natural swimmer.”

“I’ll never nail this breathing thing.”

A growth mindset sounds like:

“This is new, but I can learn it.”

“It feels tricky now, but it won’t forever.”

It’s a tiny shift that makes training feel lighter, calmer & way more enjoyable.

So how do you build a mindset that helps you swim at your best?

1. Ask yourself: what’s important now?

Training for a big event comes with its fair share of spirals.

“What if the water’s cold?”

“What if everyone looks faster than me?”

“What if I get the dreaded arm burn?”

When you notice your mind sprinting ahead, pull it back with one question:

What’s important now?

Maybe it’s steady breathing. Maybe it’s relaxing your shoulders. Maybe it’s just getting in the pool in the first place. This question is like a mental anchor - it brings you back to the bit that actually matters today.

2. Control the controllables (and let the rest float past)

There are two lists in swimming:

  • Things you can control
  • Things you absolutely cannot

You can control:

  • your breathing
  • your pacing
  • your warm up
  • your sighting rhythm
  • your consistency
  • your self-talk
  • sticking to your plan (even if you need to weave training around life)

You cannot control:

  • water temperature
  • wind
  • chop
  • who turns up in your lane
  • what anyone else is doing

Most swimmers spend their energy worrying about list two. The moment you stop trying to control the weather (literally) & focus on the things you can influence, your training feels calmer, clearer & 100% more enjoyable.

3. Upgrade your self-talk

Your brain listens to the language you use. Swap:

  • “I’ll try” for “I will.”
  • “I’m nervous” for “I’m getting ready.”
  • “I hope I can finish” for “I’m preparing to finish strong.”

These tweaks are tiny, but they build belief - & belief is half the battle.

4. Expect wobbles - they’re proof you care

In the lead-up to the Great North Swim, most swimmers experience:

  • motivation dips
  • imposter syndrome
  • late-night “am I behind?” thoughts
  • pre-race nerves
  • worries about chop or crowds

None of these mean you’re not ready. They mean you’re human. A growth mindset helps you notice the wobble, breathe, & keep moving.

5. Think in investments, not costs

Training, rest, nutrition & technique work aren’t chores - they’re investments in how confident you’ll feel in June. Every drill helps your efficiency. Every consistent week builds calm. Every early-season swim boosts your courage.

Shift how you see the work you’re doing. You’re not paying a price - you’re investing in your future self.

6. Use visualisation like the pros

Spend a few minutes each week picturing yourself:

  • arriving at the event
  • warming up & settling your breathing
  • sighting smoothly
  • staying calm if it’s choppy
  • finishing strong

Your brain loves rehearsal. It doesn’t care if the scenario happened in real life or in your imagination - it’ll treat it as experience. On race day, everything feels familiar.

7. Remember: progress isn’t linear

Some sessions will feel brilliant. Some will feel like you’ve forgotten how to swim entirely. This is normal. Real progress is zig-zaggy & human.

Consistency beats perfection every time.

Want support with your swim training?

If you want structure, confidence & personalised coaching all the way to the Great North Swim, the Catch app can help.

With Catch Gold, you’ll get:

  • A personalised training plan for your GNS distance
  • Weekly video lessons to improve your technique
  • Unlimited coach support from me
  • A friendly community to cheer you on

Use code GNS26 for:

  • A 7-day free trial of Catch Gold
  • £5 off your first 3 months

Catch Gold is the most effective & enjoyable way to feel ready for the Great North Swim.

Sign up below. See you at the start line.

Written by Rebecca Wetten, Co-Founder & Head Coach at Catch.

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