By Allison Peters, Swimming World College Intern
It’s that time of the year again where most swimmers are buying their fast skins and actually refraining from digging into that sixth piece of pizza. For anyone who doesn’t know what that means, it’s championship season! Here are some thoughts every swimmer has run through their head come big meet season:
1. No! People from the other team are invading my warm-up lane!
Photo Courtesy: © Peter H. B ick
We are never quite ready for it when it happens. You think you and your team have conquered lane three for yourself, but it’s never that easy. Try being the first team in the pool to get as much uninterrupted warm-up as possible.
2. It will be a miracle when I get this suit on.
Photo Courtesy: Speedo
Mine only took me fifteen minutes to get on this year – a new team record, I believe! I recommend trying to get it on one time before you even get to your championship meet. That way you’ll know if it’s going to take you fifteen minutes or fifteen years.
3. I can’t breathe.
Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse
Every swimmer thinks as their fast skin suffocates them to death.
4. I FINALLY GET TO SHAVE!
Photo Courtesy: Richard Masoner, Flickr
Boy swimmers might not be as happy, but I know myself and my fellow Albright Lady Lion’s were pretty excited to finally not have legs that looked like the boys’ anymore.
5. I want to pig out after the first night of finals, but we still have two days to go.
Why did they have to offer unlimited scoops of ice cream with dinner the first night after finals? That was pretty much the hardest temptation I’ve ever had to face.
6. I can’t do this.
It’s normal to get nervous before your races. It’s a whole year of your life being put to the test.
7. I CAN DO THIS.
Photo Courtesy: Messiah Athletics
Once you’re on the block, only have this thought and trust your training!
8. Wow, that race felt amazing!
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
My 400 individual medley felt like incredible at championships! It is very rare you ever hear a swimmer get out of that race saying it felt good.
9. Wow, that race hurt!
Photo Courtesy: Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics
I had this thought before, during and after my 1650 at championships. Sometimes even when you’re tired races can hurt. Don’t let that discourage you from doing the time you deserve!
10. I’m going to lose my voice by the last night of finals.
If you don’t lose your voice it means you weren’t yelling loud enough for your teammates! Always remember how much faster you swim hearing your teammates cheer you on and do the same for them.
11. Who is that really annoying person making the whistling noise during every race?
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Pretty much every meet I’ve ever been to has had one of these people.
12. The mile was actually exciting to watch!
Believe it or not, this race was one of the most exciting for my team at championships this year. Both the men and women’s 1650s were some of the closest races of the night.
13. It took me thirty minutes and two coaches help to get my fast skin on, and now I have to use the bathroom.
Always use the bathroom prior to battling to get your suit on!
14. If you do breaststroke in the warm-up lane, I hate you.
Photo Courtesy: Xinhua/Fei Maohua
Even as a fellow breaststroker, I can’t stand when I’m trying to do freestyle and almost get kicked in the face and stomach. I wish there could be designated lane for breaststrokers.
Lacey Lorraine Radloff
Brander Pacheco