What to Expect on Your First Training Trip

Photo Courtesy: Madison Carroll

By Chris Balbo, Swimming World College Intern.

Regardless of your level – NCAA athlete or club swimmer – it is a fact that training trip week or winter training weeks are significantly harder than most other times of the year. There is no school pressure, meaning there is more time to focus on swimming. This means two-a-days. This is the time to make yourself into a better, faster, stronger swimmer but some might also get some perks of awesome pools and warmer weather.

Here’s what to expect on your first training trip:

1. Long Days and Hard Practices

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Photo Courtesy: Kelley Baylis

This is likely not a shocker to anyone but practices during training trips will be hard. The days will be long with morning practices and another in the afternoon, but these practices will possibly be harder than the average practice. They are made to challenge swimmers, make them better, and prepare them for the end of the season. Practices may be difficult, but that does not mean they are not manageable. Swimmers from days long before you have survived training trips.

2. Sunburn and Dehydration

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If training outside, hydration and skin protection are key. This applies to both practice time and beach-lounging time. Making sure you have enough fluids for training is more important on training trips due to outdoor temperatures. Your body is losing water at a faster rate than normal. Carry a refillable water bottle around, apply sunscreen, and eat fuel to replenish and protect your body through the tough training. Taking care of your body is essential during training trip. Try your best to avoid dehydration and sunburn.

3. Team Bonding

Photo Courtesy: Delaney Lanker

With any team trip, there will be opportunities to bond with your teammates out of the pool. Whether it is on the beach, at a sports event, or simply taking advantage of local activities. Embrace these opportunities to spend with your teammates, hang out with someone new! These moments of fun will help to alleviate some of the burden brought on by the pool grind.

4. Being Sick of Your Teammates

Photo Courtesy: Chris Balbo

It is not unheard of to be sick of your teammates after training trip or winter training. Spending that much time with anyone can sometimes be nauseating, but don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. Just remember you have plenty of other teammates to hang with. Surely, this feeling of animosity will fade. If you must, take some time to yourself and relax in your room between practices. It may help to focus on your training, and likely, you will be home before you know it.

5. Memories to Last a Lifetime

Photo Courtesy: Lauren Freeman

Your first training trip is usually the most memorable. Although you are there to train, you will not remember the practices you swam or how you did in your third double of the week. You will remember eating Nutella sandwiches with your roommates, hanging on the beach playing spike ball or cramming half your team into a hot tub. It is important to remember that sometimes the best strategy for swimming is not thinking about swimming. You are more likely to perform better if you are having fun. Cherish training trips for their physical benefits, but also enjoy them as a time to bond.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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