Long distance swimming is “a moving meditation”

I like that description: After about six hours I am usually deep inside my own head. My body takes over and my mind drifts off somewhere…a moving meditation. At night I will try and narrow my attention to a single light or glow stick on the boat or kayak. I close my eyes periodically to ‘watch’ the whole thing from above. The ‘zone’ takes some time to get into, and it doesn’t last for the whole swim. I’ve never experienced anything like it during any land-based activity.” Via TakePart.com.

Here is the quoted Dave Barra reflecting on his recent 120 mile “8 Bridges Swim” down the Hudson River.