Distance Swimmer's Struggles

Whether you enjoy being a distance swimmer (I’m not sure many do) or not, we’ve ALL been there. It feels like it takes a long time, but it also seems like it went by so quick. It’s hard, but reaching your goal is addicting. Nothing beats the adrenaline after a race.

1. Losing Count. No matter how long you’ve been doing this, you ALWAYS seem to lose count. You think about everything and anything possible. "What did I eat for lunch?" "That person in front of me at the store was pretty rude." "Crap! I put the wrong answer for that math problem."
2. Break time. Once your meet is up, no one is watching. It’s taking a long time and you know it doesn’t get exciting until the end. This seems to be the prime opportunity for people to check their phone, go get some food, go check out the new suits, etc.
3. Dreaded outside lane. Not only is it bad enough having everyone watch you, but having your coach watch your EVERY stroke. "Yes, I know I’m off pace. Yes, I can hear you."
4. Finding a counter. Your typical counter is nowhere to be found! I’ve been there, it’s happened! They’re reliable, they know you, and they know when you need a little motivation. Luckily, your teammates all have your back.
5. The “slip”. Ughhh! If it’s not your goggles, it’s most definitely your cap. Worst. Feeling. Ever. 

Tips for Waking Up Early

To some, there is nothing worse than having to wake up each and every morning and hoping straight into the water. They would much rather sleep until noon and then begin the day in the afternoon. Yep, this sounds about right. Unfortunately, it just has to be done. Here are ways to help!

Pack your things. If you have to rise early, it is best to prepare your things the night before. This way everything will be ready for you to just grab and leave! Because everything will be ready, you will save time AKA sleep longer.

Prep breakfast. In order to save more time in the early mornings, make sure to have your breakfast prepared and ready. You will thank yourself later when you can sleep longer and not dirty 5 things for breakfast each day.

Hydrate. By drinking 16oz of water immediately upon waking, it’s a surefire way to you rev up your metabolism. Not only that but it also re-hydrates you after fasting and helps flush out any toxins.

Log Off. Before hitting the sheets the night before an early day, refrain from using devices such as cell phone, tablet, or even watching TV. Electrical activity increase resulting in our neurons to race, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow.

What are your tips for waking up for early workouts?

Getting over a Bad Race

Bad races are bound to happen. Sometimes they are completely out of your control, even though you have trained day after day for this big day. You have woken up before the sun rises, you have put in time after school, and you have made goals and put in the work in order to achieve them. The inevitable happens. You fail. Now what?

1.    Move Forward. Unfortunately you are unable to go back in time and change how you performed. Sure you can dwell on your performance and let it eat you up, but that will only leave you distraught. Do your best to put this behind you and move forward in your training.

2.   Acknowledge it. Instead of letting it bother you, use that for fuel. What happened? What went wrong? Once you determine your trouble areas, you will be able to create a strategy accordingly. Do you need to work on your flips, your breathing, etc? Work on your weaknesses and make them your strengths.

3.     No one is perfect. Everyone faces different troubles and failures at some point in their lives, it is how you overcome those that matter. One race will not make or break your entire year. It won’t take you back in progress. No one is perfect. As soon as you realize that everyone fails, the less you allow it to control you.

Olympic Swimmer's 2016 Resolutions

Along with the New Year also comes many promises to better ourselves in one way or another. It's great that so many people use this time of year to set goals for themselves. It turns out that 40% of Americans make New Year's resolutions each and every year. Check out some of the resolutions Olympic swimmers hope to endure -

“Let's start small. I'll try to swim once a month in 2016. That's up from 0 times in 2015. Wait, not true, I was thrown out of the Atlantic Ocean when that first hurricane came near Florida. Lifeguards weren't too thrilled. So I'll try to swim 11 more times in 2016 than I did this year.” - Eric Wunderlich 

“My NYR (New Year’s Revolution) is to continue to live with less clutter. One in, one out… something comes into my space, something of equal or greater value that no longer serves me leaves. Keeps that equilibrium! And, also, to finish my adult coloring book.” - Caroline Burckle

“My New Year’s resolutions are to always strive to stay healthy, take care of myself and be a good role model for my kids. Also, continue to provide opportunities for thousands of kids to learn how to swim and be water safe.” - Lenny Krayzelburg

“My resolution for the New Year is to champion the swimmers and parents in the summer swimming community!” - Charlie Houchin

“I have been swimming with TBAY masters team in Tampa and I love it! It helps keep me in shape, but more importantly, I feel like it reminds me of how fortunate I am for the life lessons swimming has taught me...not just the exercise part but the nutrition and everything else. Which brings me to my New Year’s resolution of finding balance to eat and exercise in a healthy and appropriate way for my lifestyle – not the world-class-athlete way anymore – now that I'm a ‘swammer’ (past tense).” - Chelsea Nauta Colwill

“Remove Facebook from my smart phone, only checking in on my laptop.” - Gary Hall Jr.

“My New Year’s resolution is to work on getting more sleep. Being a busy college student-athlete, I struggle to sleep enough every night. So in 2016, I really would like to be able to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep more often.” - Courtney Bartholomew

“Get back in the pool more! Post-swimming careers can create lots of time and travel constraints, but it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” - Tyler Harris

“My resolution this year is to take each day, each practice one at a time. Don't get caught up in what the future may bring, but instead, just focus on today.” - Rachel Bootsma

“I have a couple of resolutions this year. I want to get more toned over the next few months. I also want to volunteer more or give back in some way. I just need to find the right organization.” - Lindsay Vrooman

“My resolution this year is to pay attention to the fine details with everything, not just swimming but with everything I do. I think it's so important to remember the small things to succeed both in swimming and life.” - Arthur Frayler

“My resolutions are the stuff of norm: 1. Exercise more consistently (including adding in some swimming); 2. Eat a little better; and 3. Do more out-of-the-house activities with the family.” - Jeff Rouse

“My resolution for 2016 is to journal every day. Typically in the morning, I'll write down three things I'm grateful for and my intention for the day, and at the end of the day, I write down three amazing things that happened that day.” - Ariana Kukors

“I am not one for New Year's resolutions, but I am excited for 2016! Here are some of the things I am looking forward to this year: 1. We are welcoming a new baby into our family in May. A new baby is always an adventure, and I am really excited; 2. The Olympics coming this summer! I wish all those preparing and competing the best! My house is cheering for you! Go team USA; and 3. Another year working with student-athletes broadening identity development and leadership skills. I love my job at the University of Arizona and believe in the impact of player development.” - Lacey Nymeyer-John

“To always stay positive.” - Gil Stovall

“My new year's resolution is to be open to the new experiences and challenges in front of me and to learn and grow as much as possible. Oh and to not always take myself quite so seriously!” - Misty Hyman

“My resolution for 2016 is really more of a mantra: To live in the moment and cultivate appreciation for my friends and family.... Also to eat more vegetables! I just love bacon. So much.” - Kim Vandenberg

“For 2016, I resolve to build and strengthen meaningful relationships with my teammates and loved ones. I realize this is an important year for my swimming career, and I want to keep touch with the people in my life who matter most to me.” - Michael Chadwick

“I'm focusing on three resolutions this year: (1) enjoy the present. It seems like the past several years have flown by, so I really want to soak it all in and live in the moment; (2) travel more. I recently moved to Massachusetts and am looking forward to exploring the East Coast. I also want to travel internationally, particularly to Japan; (3) conquer a 5.11 and V5. I've gotten really into rock climbing and those grades are next on my to-do list.” - Sara Nicponski

“My New Year’s resolution is to not sweat the small stuff and to live more in the moment and enjoy the little things.” - Sarah Henry 

"My New Year's resolution for 2016 is to procrastinate less. Specifically, I am going to set deadlines for a couple of projects that I have put on the back burner." - Adam Ritter

Whether your New Years resolutions include finishing that new adult coloring book you received, or simply just to stay positive - we believe in you!

- USA Swimming