A Day in the Life of a Swimmer: Just Keep Grinding

A Day in the Life of a Swimmer: Just Keep Grinding

Your alarm goes off at 5 o’clock in the morning, yelling at you to get up and get ready for practice at 5:45 a.m. Come on, let’s get up and go!

The thought of staying in bed for a bit longer is tempting, but you know you must wake up and prepare for morning practice soon, or you’ll be late. This is the worst, but I got to get there on time.

You talk yourself into going to the kitchen and eating breakfast so that you’ll have the energy to get yourself ready, get to practice on time, and make it through the entire workout. I don’t really want to eat this early, but I have to.

After breakfast, you gather all the materials you’ll need for the day, including your backpack, and head out the door. Go, go, go!

You arrive at practice and immediately go to the locker room to change into workout clothes because you know you will be lifting weights first thing in the morning. Quick change!

You know that the rest of the day at school will be difficult because of your fatigue and soreness. I’m so not looking forward to the rest of the day.

As soon as you’re done with your weight training, it’s time for the part you dread the most: jumping into the freezing water and swimming laps. The initial shock is cold as ice.

To be ready for the start of the school day at 8:00 a.m., you rush out of the pool at 7:15 a.m. after swimming for nearly an hour. My body finally caught up to my brain.

Your early morning practices and weightlifting make you tired during the school day, which makes it hard to concentrate on your work. Because of your persistent fatigue, focusing in class is next to impossible. Don’t fail me now, it’s not nap time!

If you can make it through the school day, you’ll be rewarded with an afternoon practice that continues well into the evening. I hope it’s a recovery day.

You return to the pool for a quick snack after your final class ends at 3 o’clock, and then get ready for practice at 3:10 p.m. My suit better be dry.

You’ll be doing land-based workouts to improve your core before hitting the water. This session is typically longer and more taxing than your usual morning session. Abs, please still be there.

Once practice is completed at 5:15 p.m., you return home in your regular clothing. I’m so glad I survived!

As you walk through the door, you can hear your stomach grumbling, which makes you very aware of how hungry you are. I can eat two, seven course meals!

Since the practice was exhausting, you decide to eat as much of the meal as possible. My arms are so tired, I can’t lift the fork.

You do your homework after or even during dinner. You frequently stay up until late at night to get some studying done, and you don’t even consider heading to bed until after 10 p.m. I have to survive my four tests tomorrow.

You finally go to bed at the end of the day, ready to get up at the same time and repeat the routine the following morning. I so can’t wait to get back to practice…

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Michon

1 year ago

I used to be there right along with your thoughts when I was swimming. I wonder how we do it?

Nathan

1 year ago

Absolutely true!. Swimming is not an easy sport but always hardworking pays off!. Nicely articulated about the everyday about swimmers life style and their dedication too!

Rebecca

1 year ago

This was my life for so long and I don’t regret one minute of it!