Olympian Claire Donahue has swum in her share of nerve-wracking meets. From NCAA Championships, U.S. nationals, World Championships, Pan American Games, Olympic Trials and even the Olympics in 2012…there’s a lot to be nervous about at these high-stakes meets.
That’s why, when asked about her take on mental preparation, the butterfly specialist admits in a Swimming World interview with Shoshanna Rutemiller that mental preparation is “a work in progress.” It takes time, effort and a lot of blunders before knowing exactly what works.
Before Donahue earned Olympic gold as a member of the women’s 400 meter medley relay, she was a standout collegiate swimmer at Western Kentucky University. By her senior year, she was the second fastest collegiate 100 butterflyer in the country, placing second at the 2011 NCAAs with a 51.68 (SCY). She placed second in her signature event that summer at long course nationals (58.05), earning a spot on the Pan American team. Then Donahue struck gold at Pan Ams in the 100 fly and 400 medley relay.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
It was that year when Donahue began working with a sports psychologist. With the 2012 Olympic Trials fast approaching, she knew it was important to learn new skills and techniques to keep her focused on the things she could control.
“You think you know everything, but then you come across a situation where you don’t know why things went wrong,” Donahue says. “So you find ways to learn from it.”
Her mental training ultimately paid off! Donahue went on to represent the United States at the 2012 London Olympics. She placed seventh in the 100 fly with a personal best time of 57.42 in addition to winning a relay gold medal.
Read more about Claire Donahue and her pre-race preparation by downloading the latest edition of Swimming World Magazine form the Swimming World Vault.
Photo Courtesy: PHOTO BY SIMONE RIVI, PROVIDED BY JAKED
Get Swimming World Magazine and Swimming World Biweekly FREE When You
Become A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
Want More? Subscribe With This Special 2-Year Offer!
New! 1-Year Digital Only Subscription for just $39.95 Order Now!
Swimming World Magazine April 2020 Issue
FEATURES
014 2019 TOP 12 WORLD MASTERS SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Dan D’Addona, David Rieder and Taylor Brien
022 FOR LOVE OF THE SPORT
by Andy Ross
There is no denying that Federica Pellegrini is the greatest 200 freestyler in history. What makes her illustrious career so special is her approach to swimming—she’s simply doing what she loves.
024 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: SWIMMING’S FIRST FEMALE SUPERSTAR
by John Lohn
When the Olympic Games return to Tokyo this summer, one of the highlights will be a swimming schedule that is identical for men and women, the 1500 freestyle added for the ladies and the 800 freestyle added to the program for the gentlemen. But the first four editions of swimming at the Modern Olympics did not feature equality, with women not involved until 1912—at which point Fanny Durack made a major splash.
026 ISHOF: WHEN JAPAN RULED THE POOL
by Bruce Wigo
Japan’s men dominated world swimming in the 1930s, a period known as the Golden Age of Japanese Swimming.
030 THE OLYMPIC EFFECT
by Michael Randazzo
The upcoming Tokyo Olympics has shuffled the deck for the 2020 NCAA women’s water polo season.
032 MENTAL PREP: BEFORE THE BEEP WITH CLAIRE DONAHUE
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COACHING
008 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: GLEN HUMMER
by Michael J. Stott
012 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: THE VALUE OF HAND FORCE ANALYSIS: PART I—BUTTERFLY
by Rod Havriluk
While information provided by underwater video alone can be useful, it doesn’t provide a quantitative measure of specific movements. A force analysis gives swimmers and coaches accurate and precise information so they can be absolutely certain of the impact of specific technique elements on performance.
034 ALL HAIL TO ALMA MATER!
by Michael J. Stott
Alumni support positively affects college swimming and diving teams across the country.
036 SPECIAL SETS: TRANSITION TRAINING
by Michael J. Stott
Frank Busch shares how he trained his NCAA national champion University of Arizona athletes in 2008 between NCAAs to the U.S. Olympic Trials.
042 Q&A WITH COACH MIKE LEONARD
by Michael J. Stott
043 HOW THEY TRAIN LUKE PAXTON AND OWEN TAYLOR
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
011 DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE STRENGTH SERIES—BREASTSTROKE
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
039 GOLDMINDS: BELIEVING IN YOURSELF
by Wayne Goldsmith
Here is a team-based approach to helping swimmers develop the quality of confidence.
045 UP & COMERS: KATIE CROM
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COLUMNS
006 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
007 BEYOND THE YARDS
038 MOMS AT MEETS
046 GUTTERTALK
047 PARTING SHOT
Sara F Lisa It is very boring for me, talk to me! ?? Write me. ? Maybe we will make friends ?? ==>> 2.gp/a71mk