I Swam Every Day for 30 Days: This is What I Learned…

Fresh off completing my "run every day for 30 days" challenge, I decided to dive into something even more ambitious - swimming 10 laps every day for 30 days.

And the results were impressive.

Not only did I shatter my previous lap time record, but I discovered a ridiculously simple technique change that took me from struggling to swim two laps, to completing 100 laps in a single session.

And the most surprising part? It had nothing to do with strength or endurance.

If you're considering taking on your own 30 day challenge - whether it's running, swimming, or something entirely different - my journey might help you avoid the mistakes I made and reach your goals faster than you thought possible.

After completing dozens of 30 day challenges, I've learned exactly what makes these transformations work - and what can derail them completely.
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The Early Struggles

My starting point was humbling. That first lap of the swimming pool took me 57 seconds, and I could barely complete two laps of freestyle without stopping.

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Only being able to swim two laps before having to stop was frustrating, and with my Ironman 70.3 coming up in 9 months, I was scratching my head wondering how I'm going to be able to swim 1.9km non-stop!

But as I learned from my previous 30 day challenges, the key is to trust the process.
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The Unexpected Breakthrough

Around week three, something fascinating happened.

While watching another swimmer, I noticed they moved almost in slow motion - yet they could swim endlessly while I was exhausting myself after just two laps.

This is the swimmer that - strangely - just by observing him - led to the technique change that would transform my swimming completely.

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Instead of kicking frantically like I had been doing, I slowed down my kicks.

In freestyle, your arm stroke gets you 80% of the speed, and the kicking gets you 20% of the speed.

So while I was frantically kicking, I was losing a lot of energy!

This simple adjustment triggered a cascade of improvements.

Suddenly, I wasn't just swimming two laps - I was swimming ten, then twenty, and eventually, in one incredible session, I completed 100 laps without stopping.
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The Power of Professional Guidance

While my previous 30 day run challenge taught me the importance of consistency, swimming showed me the crucial role of proper technique.

I had started by learning through YouTube videos, but investing in a swimming coach accelerated my progress dramatically.

The personalized feedback helped me identify and correct form issues I didn't even know I had.
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Maintaining Motivation Through Challenges

As with most of my 30 day challenges, motivation took a hit about half way through.

The cold showers before swimming, late-night sessions after long workdays, and the initial slow progress all tested my commitment.

The Fit in 30 community proved invaluable during these moments, providing support and accountability. Having a supportive community in your corner really does help.
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The Final Results

The numbers tell quite the story.

In terms of speed:

Starting lap time: 57 seconds

Final lap time: 41.9 seconds

Improvement: 15.1 seconds
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As for endurance:

# of laps I could swim non-stop on day 1: 2 laps

# of laps I could swim non-stop on day 30: 100 laps

Improvement: 98 laps!
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Weight changes were modest but healthy:

Starting weight: 77.3 kg (170.4 lbs)

Final weight: 76.2 kg (168 lbs)

Total loss: 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs)
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Key Learnings from Two 30 Day Challenges

Completing this 30 day challenge taught me valuable lessons about transformation:

Consistency trumps intensity. Showing up daily matters more than pushing to exhaustion.

With swimming, this meant focusing on form rather than speed initially.

Next, professional guidance accelerates progress.

While I successfully completed my run challenge mostly solo, swimming demanded expert input. The right coaching can dramatically speed up your learning curve.

And finally, the breakthrough in my swimming came not from training harder, but from a simple technique adjustment. Sometimes the biggest improvements come from the smallest changes.

About three weeks in, I really didn't think I was making much improvement at all. But then suddenly, something clicked. And a few days later, I was swimming 100+ laps.
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Tips for Starting Your Own 30 Day Challenge

Whether you're inspired to start running every day for 30 days like my previous challenge, or take on a different goal entirely, here's what I've learned about making these transformations stick:

Choose Your Challenge Carefully: While swimming every day for 30 days might seem daunting, it's actually more achievable than you might think.

The key is picking something challenging but not impossible.

Use the Fit in 30 Framework: This structured approach helped me succeed in my 30 day challenges.

It provides clear guidelines for setting up your challenge, tracking progress, and maintaining motivation.

Click here if you're willing to commit to the next 30 days and start your own 30 day challenge.

Build a Support System: Whether it's the Fit in 30 community, a professional coach, or supportive friends, having others invested in your success makes a huge difference.
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Looking Ahead

These 30 day challenges have shown me what's possible with consistent effort and the right approach.

From running 5k every day for 30 days to now completing this swimming transformation, each challenge has built upon the last.

The Fit in 30 framework has proven invaluable in structuring these challenges for success.

If you're inspired to start your own 30 day challenge, remember that everyone starts somewhere.

Whether you're considering a 30 day run challenge like my first adventure, or something completely different, the key is to begin with a solid framework and trust the process.

Your journey to becoming a stronger, more capable version of yourself starts with a single decision.

Ready to start your own transformation?

To start your own 30 day challenge, click on the big blue button at the top of the page, or click here.