What Is Your Favorite Holiday Training Tradition? The Stars Share

What Is Your Favorite Holiday Training Tradition? The Stars Share

Holiday training has long been known for its grinding nature, with coaches designing sets that offer unique challenges – and test athletes physically and mentally. For the latest Gutter Talk, several elite athletes were asked to discuss their favorite holiday training tradition.

GABI ALBIERO
Member of U.S. Team for 2022 Duel in the Pool

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

We go to Sarasota, Fla., for a training trip! It’s such a blast, but my favorite part about it is the villas. You room with four or five other girls that you don’t currently live with, and it’s just too fun. We take turns cooking each night, and you get to know your people a little more than you did before.

TREY FREEMAN
2022 World Championships Gold Medalist, 800 Freestyle Relay

I don’t know if it’s a specific set, but when I hear holiday training, I immediately think kicking. Lots and lots of kicking.

MAX McHUGH
4x NCAA Champion, 100 and 200 Breaststroke

Whenever I go home for the holidays, my club team does the dreaded 100 x 100. Being home, training in my club pool and training with my dad for a couple days has always been a tradition I look forward to.

JUSTINA KOZAN
2019 World Junior Champion (200 IM) and National High School Record Holder

Dressing up in our costumes for dryland and working out in them.

MAGGIE WANEZEK
2022 Junior Pan Pacs Gold Medalist, 100 Backstroke

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

A favorite (Elmbrook Swim Club) holiday tradition we do every year is Turkey Relays. Everyone on the team competes in Thanksgiving-themed relays and games. A highlight is bobbing for apples, where the coaches throw dozens of apples and one onion into the pool. Without using their hands, swimmers bob for apples, and whoever comes up with the onion wins. It’s a super-fun bonding experience for everyone and a good way to get to know the younger kids on the team as well.

WILL MODGLIN
2022 National High School Swimmer of the Year

My favorite holiday training tradition would be our winter break 100 x 100. It’s a classic one that’s really just fun to do with your team. My team always has a big breakfast after that. Everyone pitches in with that, and it’s just a fun time to talk with everyone and joke around.

MAXIMUS WILLIAMSON
2022 Junior Pan Pacs Silver Medalist, 400 IM

Every year, we go to Alaska for Christmas, and I always do a challenging mountain bike ride while we’re up there. No one else is riding up the hill, both ways, in the snow, so I know that ride always makes me stronger just for accomplishing it.

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