The 5 Layers of Morning Practice: Getting Started

A Humorous Take: The 5 Layers of Morning Practice

By Morgan Pestorius

No one understands the pain of morning practice unless they’ve experienced it themselves. And anyone who has been through morning practice knows there are five clear stages.

1. Dread/Anxiety

Lying in bed the night before morning practice is pure torture. You know no matter how early you go to bed, you will never get enough sleep. You want to cry just thinking about how soon you have to wake up again.

2. Pain/Avoidance

Personally, the sound of my alarm going off at 5:00 a.m. makes me feel physical pain. It’s cold and dark outside. Is practice really necessary? You find yourself thinking that you would give anything just to be able to stay in your warm, cozy bed.

3. Fear/Second-Thoughts

As you arrive at the pool, you wonder what terrible set your coach must be planning. You try to stall in the locker room, but you find yourself on deck. You realize there’s no turning back now, so you jump in the water.

4. Motivation/Dedication

Once you get through warmup, you start to feel pretty good. Look at you, you’re getting in a full workout before your friends are even awake! You’re in such a good mood, you decide you might even tackle that extra credit project after school this afternoon.

5. Exhaustion/Pride

That motivation you had this morning has worn off quickly and now you’re so tired you can barely stand. It’s only 9 a.m. and you are desperately in need of a nap. Maybe no one will notice if you just put your head down on your desk during class for a few minutes.

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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28 Comments

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Brooks Richardson

8 years ago

Been there done that nearly fifty years ago. Now after retirement, it has become pure joy to join my 0520 hr friends in the Masters program in Bend, Oregon.☕️??

Teddy Teresa

8 years ago

Uggghhhh

Christina L Fink

8 years ago

Garrett Fink

Debra Murray

8 years ago

Montannah Murray this is jett

Montannah Murray

8 years ago

Reply to Debra Murray

Haha and me ?

Debra Murray

8 years ago

Reply to Debra Murray

I’m sure it is

Chuck Hay

8 years ago

You meet the nicest people at zero dark thirty in the morning at the pool….. swimmers and coaches

-2

Agustin Sintawati Subandi

8 years ago

I hv been there

Emily Allanson

8 years ago

Alyssa Andrews accurate

Alyssa Andrews

8 years ago

Reply to Emily Allanson

Very accurate, love this

Matt Dani Humeniuk

8 years ago

Madi Humeniuk, Lucas Humeniuk

Karen Trudel

8 years ago

The truth…every single one

Kathy Treible

8 years ago

5 stages…awful, awful, awful, awful, awful!!!!!

Elaine Song

8 years ago

Nicholas Iftimie which is worse- this or night time?

Nicholas Iftimie

8 years ago

Reply to Elaine Song

Both! Neither is the way to go

Josh Stahl

8 years ago

Maaike

Maaike Vrij

8 years ago

Reply to Josh Stahl

I was actually gonna tag you in this

Sam Young

8 years ago

I had no idea the level of true work and dedication swimming competitively really required until both of our kids decided to swim. Such a great life lesson, success comes from you work. Anything worth doing is worth working for.