Before I left for a seven-day swim vacation, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I knew that I would be meeting a small group of swimmers and triathletes some place on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. From Tortola, I knew that we would board a rather large sailboat, the Promenade, and then sail around the BVIs. I knew that the Promenade and her crew would provide us with food and lodging. Throughout the week, I knew we would swim twice each day and probably have some time to snorkel and relax in between. And I knew that this sounded like a pretty good trip.

After I stepped aboard the Promenade for this swim vacation, I couldn't believe what I had gotten myself into. After I arrived on the island of Tortola, I couldn't believe how blue the water was. After I jumped in for the first time, I couldn't believe that I didn't need a wetsuit. And as we sailed to the next island, I couldn't believe that each day got better than the last.

Before: Wake up, brush teeth, grab swim gear and head out the door. Drive to the pool and pay $2. Swim.

After: Jump off a 65-foot trimaran in the British Virgin Islands. Swim.

Before: Swim about 3,000 yards in chlorinated waters staring at a thick black line.

After: Swim from island to island in the Caribbean staring at sea turtles, coral, various shades of blue, and multi-colored fish

Before: Work on swim technique.

After: Work on swim technique after underwater videotaping and analysis...in the sea. (The water's that clear.)

Before: Swim for 45-60 minutes and rush off to work.

After: Swim for about an hour and then fall asleep on the deck of a sailboat after coffee and a hot breakfast.

Before: Meet up with a few friends and get in a good pool workout.

After: Spend a week with fellow swimmers with similar interests while exploring underwater caves, shipwrecks, and sea life.

Before I went on this swim vacation, I didn't think it was possible to combine quality training time with quality relaxation. After seven days, I couldn't believe that I had to go home. This vacation was quite possibly the best week of my life. That's no exaggeration. That's truth.

I usually wind up standing at the edge of the pool or ocean for a few moments before a workout. I stare at the water, elbows tucked in close and knuckles pressed on the bottom of my chin. And I talk to myself. Silently.

It's gonna be cold. That looks like someone I know. I have to go to the store. I should call my dad. I'm tired. What's coming up this weekend? Did I train enough for this? My shoulders feel tight. I need to get in. Did I pay rent yet?  I'm a little hungry.  Big wave. I should go now. Was that a stingray? Did I lock the car?

Finally I dive in, and that's when things start to fade. Five senses become four underwater. Seeing, tasting, smelling, and feeling, all possible. But sound is muted.

All those thoughts I had before are silenced underwater. It doesn't happen right away, and it doesn't happen all the time. It happens while I'm training as well as during a race. And not just with swimming. Any challenge, big or small, brings it on.

I don't know if you've experienced this? You're in that zone. You're catching another runner on the road. You're finishing your first triathlon. You finally ran a mile without stopping. You did your first real pull-up. You're logging 5,000 meters in the pool. You're just jogging down the beach. Or climbing up a mountain.

"At the peak of tremendous and victorious effort, while the blood is pounding in your head, all suddenly becomes quiet within you. Everything seems clearer and whiter than ever before, as if great spotlights had been turned on. At that moment, you have the conviction that you contain all the power in the world, that you are capable of everything, that you have wings. There is no more precious moment in life than this, the white moment, and you will work very hard for years just to taste it again." (Yuri Vlasov, Soviet Weightlifter)

Swimming is my escape. Challenges are an escape. Mute the negative thoughts. Mute the fears. Turn up the volume on the clarity.