Progress isn’t always in distance or speed — sometimes, it’s in clarity

Today I realized something important: I need to go back to the basics — especially when it comes to breathing. 

I’ve been trying to push forward, combining strokes, paddling, and movement, but without a solid grip on how to breathe properly, I keep hitting the same wall. It’s time to stop forcing progress and start reinforcing the foundation. 

Maybe I need to slow down, focus on just breathing drills, float practice, and timing — the very things I skipped over or rushed through in the beginning. 

It’s not a step back. It’s a step wiser.