22 Times Swimmers Lack Gratitude…And 22 Optimistic Rebuttals

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Photo Courtesy: Donna Nelson

By Annie Grevers, Swimming World Staff Writer

I listened to a rousing speech by 1996, 2000 Olympian Josh Davis a couple months ago. One of the things that made it most stirring was the attitude of gratitude he so genuinely exuded. He challenged the clinic participants to say thank you loudly in the way they live their lives. Davis talked about Paralympian Tao Zheng who lost his arms to electric shock as a child. After explaining how the swimmer gets through the water and finishes his race with his head, Davis asked the kids, “Do you think he slows down into the wall?” No. His skull came crashing into the touchpad with ferocity.

This particular clinic’s participants were able-bodied swimmers. “Be grateful for your sore arms, not everyone has arms that get sore,” Davis said. This was not pointed out to make us pity the outstanding athlete, but to make us aware that our normal is very different from someone else’s.

Be grateful for your long practices, not everyone has the means to pay for club swimming or a parent willing to support their endeavor. Be grateful for your teammate beating you in practice, not everyone experiences the privilege of competition; drawing out a version of yourself you might have never known.

There’s a lot to be grateful for in our sport, but far and away the best thing we wring out of swimming are the relationships. There are fabulous people in the pool beside you, on the pool deck above, and in the stands beyond. But we do not always dwell on how wonderful our company is…no, there are times swimmers are modern-day Ebenezer Scrooges.

Like when, you ask? Well, the 22 times below for starters. I could go beyond 22, but there are a lot of idiosyncracies in every sport that make certain days worse than others. I’m going to put on my Missy Franklin optimist cap now and see how we can squeeze the lemonade out of the 22 lemons below. Rebuttals in bold. 

Mar 21, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Missy Franklin after winning the 200 backstroke finals during NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving-Championships at Greensboro Aquatic Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Peter Bick

1. After a lousy swim.

Why was it lousy? Oh, I’m learning!

2. After a lousy practice.

Why was it lousy? And, again, I’m learning something.

3. After a teammate’s incredible swim.

Why am I mad at them for swimming fast? Ah, jealousy. I should try reveling in that triumph with them next time…that’s probably more beneficial for both parties. 

4. After receiving constructive criticism. “Why does my coach think he/she knows more than me?!”

Oh, that’s their job. And they’re trying to help. And I’m stubborn.

5. When you hear the main set.

Yet another opportunity to get better. 

6. After a DQ.

I definitely touched with two hands. C’mon. (Watches race footage). Okay, my left hand never quite made it. More turn work necessary.

7. When your parents make you stay on the podium forever to get a photo. So embarrassing.

Ten years later in your wedding slide show. “Ah, the glory days! Look at those abs!” 

8. When you realize the high of a good race doesn’t last forever.

But I acquired invaluable skills on the journey that will stick with me for life.

9. When you find no point to a set.

On your third 400 free pull of eight. “I think I’m finally feeling water up front!” Boom. Epiphany during boring set.

10. When the teammate who doesn’t work hard beats you.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Keep working.

11. When a nagging injury keeps you out of the pool.

So much time for edifying dry land activities!

12. Standing on the deck shivering before December morning practices.

In two hours, I will feel so accomplished, energized, and deserving of a massive breakfast. And the pool’s warmer than THIS.

13. After your foot slips on a backstroke start.

Wedges. Coming soon to a pool near you.

14. When your breakout kick of your breaststroke pullout is all air and you spin your stroke in panic to catch up.

Stay under control. Find thick water. No more air kicks. Best pullout of my life on the next wall.

15. When you get the toe cross-over cramp mid kick-set.

Water. I need to drink more water. And bananas help too, right?

16. When your coach chooses someone else over you for the relay.

Incentive to prove myself later.

17. When you haven’t dropped time in two years.

Patience. “The hard is what makes it great.”  

18. When you’ve applied every technical tip you can think of and you’re still spinning in place.

I’ve improved myself technically, now I just need to strengthen the new muscles that I’m using.

19. When you flip and your heel hits the wall. Ouch.

The adrenaline and pain from that heel-to-wall combat is a welcome distraction from the pain of my race.

20. When someone’s paddle makes you bleed.

I’ve never looked more badass.

21. When you miss a cut by .01.

I’ll tuck that fly-away hair into my cap and get it next time. 

22. When a teammate over-celebrates.

Teammates helped them accomplish that goal– they are just celebrating for all of us.

Special thanks to the extraordinary optimist, Matt Grevers, for helping with #8, #18-#20, and #22. Also, thanks to Tom Hanks in “A League of Their Own” for #17. These sunshiny reactions do not come naturally to most of us, but going with the seemingly campy attitude might make your swim journey brighter and help you say thank you loudly with your life.

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Mike Murray
8 years ago

That’s Kay!

Linda
Linda
8 years ago

Great article. It can be applied to life!

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