Rise and Grind: What Makes A Superhuman

By Remedy Rule, Swimming World College Intern

The sound of my iPhone’s “Uplift” jingle jerks me awake. My eyes pop open to glance at the clock. 4:55 a.m. I squeeze my eyes shut hoping in some way that my alarm will stop, that the clock will turn back. Less than seven hours of sleep is certainly not enough, but ignoring my literature paper was simply not an option. I have never understood those who procrastinate; I hate having projects and papers loom over me. Sighing, I realize my attempts to reverse time are futile so I jump out of bed before my sweet dreams recapture me. I shut off my phone alarm and jog downstairs. My eyes do not have to get use to the light because, well, there is no light.

I grab an apple and some crunchy peanut butter for my pre-practice breakfast. Groggily, I choke down the meal. After my breakfast of champions, I pull on the tight straps of my swimsuit, brush my teeth, and then complete my morning routine with a smile. Slinging on my swim bag as well as my backpack, I squeeze through the garage door; two bags and a teenage girl is quite a large width. I am down my driveway by 5:10 a.m.

Arriving to the pool with ample time before practice begins, I am able to loosen up with arm swings, finding my motivation to dive into the frigid, I mean refreshing pool. Showing up to practice is only half the battle. There is work to be done, sweat to perspire, and times to hit. My coach has told me there are three things that in conjunction separate those “normal” humans and those “superhumans”: natural talent, hard work, and mental toughness.

It bothers me when people backhandedly compliment me, “You’re so smart and you swim fast, you’re SO lucky!” Okay…but I did not get where I am today on talent alone. What you are born with is only one piece of the puzzle.

Following a wake up swim warm up comes the main set. I go into the main set psyched. The beginning of the main set comes easily because I am fresh and nothing has worn me out. About three quarters into the set, though, my focus gets hazy.

Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

I can’t do this. I wish I was sleeping. I have two tests today and a paper due late this week. I don’t “feel” good. I just can’t. Doubt wanders into my mind. There are a million reasons to give up, I need to find my reason not to give up. Remembering my goals, I swim past my excuses, leaving them to eat my bubbles. Once practice ends at 7 a.m. I exit the pool to begin the next portion of my day: school.

At 8:45 a.m. the swimmers’ carpool pulls into the senior parking lot. Wishing my teammates a good day, I head to class. First comes Government, then Astronomy, followed by Literature, Spanish, Statistics, and finishing out with Psychology. Any few minutes extra in my classes or any designated class work time, I work. My friends occasionally tease me, but my schedule leave little room for idleness. Moreover, the more efficient I am at school, the more sleep I am able to get. Sleep is quite the motivation; I did not fully appreciate kindergarten naps!

After school ends, I drive the carpool to the second practice. The double includes the standard swimming portion along with a dryland component: running, pushups, flipping tires, and other forms of cruel and unusual punishment that my coach claims make better swimmers. When the grueling two and a half hour practice ends, I finally arrive home around 8 p.m. Ravenous, I scarf down my dinner and plunge into my homework. As soon as I finish, I pass out, hoping to clock in enough hours of sleep to do it all again.

Sometimes I wonder is what I am doing even relevant to the bigger picture? I am not going to swim forever, at least not competitively, and I am not going to go to school forever, either. The three things my coach mentioned that make “superhumans” apply to more than just swimming. Whether it be striving for my dream job or raising a family or completing an Ironman, natural talent, mental toughness, and hard work are three components that will aid me to succeed in future aspects of my life.

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