21 Thoughts During Your First Long Course Practice

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Delaney Lanker, Swimming World College Intern

With both summer and the Olympics around the corner, that can only mean one thing. Long course training. Short course championship meets have concluded and the next thing we know, we are being thrown into long course meters training at full force. Once school ends, coaches take full opportunity of the extra time on our hands and the longer sunny days.

While, some swimmers live for summer training, others, like me, dread the switch. The lack of walls and extra length don’t always work out so well. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? Yeah, that’s what I try to tell myself.

wheaton-swimming-training-trip-generic (7)

Photo Courtesy: Kelley Baylis

So, here are some of my thoughts during my first long course practice of summer training:

Wow, that’s a long pool. Was it always so long?
I don’t think I can make it the whole way.
At least I’m outside, summer is coming I guess.
Okay, you can do this. *Takes a deep breath*
*Jumps in pool* Yup, it’s cold.
Okay, just swim faster, you’ll warm up.
My arms feel like noodles.
It’s like I’m a sinking rock.
Okay, let’s just get into a groove. One stroke at a time.
This isn’t so bad.
But I would really love a wall about now.
*Looks at clock* It’s only been an hour and I’m already exhausted.
I just hope we don’t have to do fly.
Well I jinxed it, we have to do fly.
Where is the wall? My arms can’t do this for so long.
Yes, backstroke, I can finally cruise.
Ugh, the sun is so bright. They call these tinted goggles?
But I’m getting tan at least. I really need the color.
Bikini bod, here I come.
The pain is totally worth it, I think.
Tomorrow will be better right?

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Sirkku Henkari Tampio

7 years ago

The long course is actually 60 metres but they don’t tell us

-1

Sirkku Henkari Tampio

7 years ago

The long course is actually 60 metres but they don’t tell us

Andrea Terriault

7 years ago

Sarah Ganski

7 years ago

Reply to Andrea Terriault

Hahahaha le #8 et le #18 ?