Not A Soul Awake On Campus

Photo Courtesy: Jack Hiniker

By Kate Smarjesse, Swimming World College Intern

My alarm starts to ring. My room is dark and cold. My body hesitates to pull off my warm covers as my sleepy eyes search for the ground. It’s time for another morning practice. I make my way through my dark room into the living room. The bright bathroom light greets me as I enter. I slowly start to change into my sweats and UGGs. I grab a granola bar and head out the door. I push open the doors of my dorm and feel the brisk air hit my face. My eyes are squinting from the lights of the buildings.

I start my walk to the pool. Not a soul is awake on campus. I put my headphones in and try to wake myself up and get ready for the practice ahead of me. I continue through campus, passing by dark dorm buildings filled with students who are just falling asleep. I get to the back door of the recreation center and walk through the empty hallways to the locker room.

I press in the key code to our team locker room. The smell of chlorine enters my nose and wakes me up the rest of the way. I situate my locker, change my suit, and grab my water bottle. I exit the locker room and walk toward the pool door, picking up my mesh equipment bag along the way.

My first step on the pool deck. The tile beneath my feet sends a cold shiver through my whole body. The humid air blows my hair back and the smell of chlorine greets my nose. I turn to the left to fill my water bottle. The chilly water and warm air causes my bottle to sweat. I make my way over to the edge of the pool. The cold tile and humid air mix motivates me to jump in. I put my cap and goggles on and look at the clear water in front of me.

I count down in my head from three and then leap into the body of water. The icy water sends a chill through my veins. My body freezes and I stay still under the water, attempting to become acclimated to the new temperature. I bring myself into a ball position and spring off the bottom of the pool through the surface of the water and start swimming.

My arms start to move in circles, while my legs drag behind leaving a small splash and a wake from my kick. My lungs are continually filling and releasing air. My body moves through the motions it knows so well and my mind starts to wonder. I am only able to hear my thought and a soft buzz of people talking loudly around me. My body is pushed around by the waves created by my fellow teammates. I turn to breathe but am surprised by a large wave of water. The wave fills my mouth with water and I instantly attempt to get it out so I can breathe again. I reach the starting end of the pool again. I tuck my head into my chest, bring my legs over my head and flip my body over. My feet mount onto the wall and push off and I start my next lap.

The movements become easier as I go along. My teammates around me push me to keep moving forward. The chill of the water creates goosebumps over my body. I stop to catch my breath at the wall, look at the running clock and begin to swim again. The beat of my morning song plays on repeat through my head. I keep swimming. Lap after lap, turn after turn. I keep swimming toward my future.

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Lisa Weir

8 years ago

Deneka Weir