[Q.]

I posted this at the Total Immersion forum:
The more I learn about TI, the more I realize that it's as much a mental discipline as it is a physical one... perhaps more so! I was just interested in hearing other's thoughts on how they use or simply appreciate the mental aspect of TI and/or the solitude of being in the water. It's very therapeutic for me both physically and psychologically.

Another person posted this:
I'd have to agree that it's more mental than physical. After completing 8
weeks of T.I. lessons in 2005 (essentially a stretched-out weekend
workshop), I could only manage about 30 minutes at a time. I wasn't tired physically, but just couldn't concentrate any more. It's taken about 18 months to reach the point where I can concentrate for an hour, although working on a different stroke can stretch it out to almost two hours.

I've never done yoga or martial arts, but in some ways T.I. is similar to the track cycling I did years ago. I would spend hours just working on my standing start, or doing one-legged pedalling drills in the winter to learn to bring all the pelvic muscles into the pedal stroke. A track cyclist has only one gear to work with and needs to make the most of it. Trying to get the most out of every swim stroke feels like much the same sort of process.

I'm still exploring this facet of swimming but it occurred to me that this could also apply to other types of workouts. My experience in the weight room is normally listening to music (my own) although, if I didn't have on headphones, there would be music, noise, talking, conversations with friends, etc.

Do others enjoy their workout for the "alone time" like swimming provides or is it a social event for you?