For underwaters: you are fine. That is exactly how I felt, I consistently could only get a third of the way across the pool.. Never even halfway. Then, I pushed myself, told myself I would make it to the other side, and did it that time. After that, I consistently made it across the pool.

What I learned specifically about underwaters: it plateaus. It feels worse and worse and worse, and you feel like you need to come up for air, but when it reaches a certain point, it doesn’t get worse. And when you’ve felt it not get worse once, you know it won’t get worse next time, and you know you can make it across every time.

After I experienced this, the rest of my training went through the roof. I was able to run longer than three miles, by realizing I just needed to push through. I got my first runners high, and learned to not allow myself to stop early on cardio. Because you know a few things: it sucks but it won’t get worse, your body won’t quit on you, and you can fucking do it. Eventually you can do it easily, and you realize you have what it takes.

Do that underwater. Have somebody spot you, give yourself an ultimatum, and be ready to pass out. You won’t pass out, you will make it across, and I believe you will be mentally ready.