5 Survival Tips for Training Trips

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

By Katlynn Emaus, Swimming World College Intern

Training trip. Time to travel to a tropical place, splash around in the warm ocean water, and bond with teammates. Life is good. Oh, let’s not forget the training part. Training is hard — really hard. Some of the most difficult training of the year will happen on training trip. If swimmers go in unprepared, disaster can strike.

Here are some 5 survival tips for training trip…

#1 Sunscreen

This cannot be overlooked. Sunscreen is critical for outdoor training. If a team from Wisconsin goes all the way down to Puerto Rico, the athletes are not used to sun’s UV rays being that strong. Apply thoroughly and apply well in advance. Sunscreen doesn’t do much when it is thrown on five minutes before jumping into the pool. Along with being very harmful to your health, a sunburn can negatively affect training. It drains your energy stores and makes swimming very uncomfortable. There is a difference between tan and burnt.

Sunscreen Applied to Child

#2 Aloe

For when #1 fails.

#3 Take it one day at a time, one practice at a time, one 100 at a time.

Training is going to extremely difficult. Knowing that going in, it is important to focus on the task at hand. Worrying about upcoming practices or workouts does nothing but waste mental energy and take away from the current set. Remember each kick set, stroke set, underwater set has a purpose. Coaches handpick everything specifically. As painful as the training can be, there is method to the madness.

Jul 12, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Michael Phelps warms up prior to the Saturday finals of the Bulldog Grand Slam at Gabrielsen Natatorium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

#4 Mind over Matter

When training gets the best of us, it is really easy to give up and swim without any purpose. That is one of the worst things a swimmer can do. Even when your stroke is falling apart and you feel like you’re giving an elephant a piggy back ride, refocus. Not seeing the times you like? Focus on technique. Meaning, if everything feels bad except your turns, focus on your turns. Make them the best dang turns you’ve got. If absolutely nothing is going well, encourage your teammates. It does no good to mope around; it only brings others down and takes away from everyone’s experience. Try your best to stay positive and see the silver lining. After all, you’re in a nice, tropical place with some of your closest friends.

Photo Courtesy: Albright Athletics

#5 When in Rome

You’re with your team in paradise, what’s there to complain about? Cherish every moment, make memories, go out on a limb. Ask locals where the best restaurants are, do the dance of the natives, stop and smell the roses. Yes, first and foremost you are there for swimming, however if you were solely there for that your team would have just stayed in the cold climate of the midwest. You only get four training trips in your college career, make them count. They truly are the best times of your life! Utilize your down time, you can rest when you’re dead.

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Beth McBlain Ronayne

8 years ago

Kylene Ronayne

Christina Angel Boyd

8 years ago

I think this can be applied to many things as well: If absolutely nothing is going well, encourage your teammates. It does no good to mope around; it only brings others down and takes away from everyone’s experience. Try your best to stay positive and see the silver lining.