Jolted Back to Reality

I just watched a short story on TV about a former NBA player, Rodney Rogers, who was instantly paralyzed after suffering a devastating fall from his ATV. These types of stories really hit me hard. I was in such a trance while watching the clips of this one-time NBA star who went from dunking a basketball, running up and down the court, living an active life to suddenly being completely unable to use any of his extremities. I could feel myself sink down into my chair at the dining room table. My breathing slowed down and my eyes felt heavy. It was like I was almost watching someone I knew..

I think the reason I felt like this is because this story jolted me back to reality. I thought to myself, "screw being tired, who cares if I'm not happy with everything Eddie gives me for practice... So what if I wish this had been different or that had been different...I am living an incredible life..." I know I do this, and maybe some of you do it as well sometimes. I think we all probably worry a little too much about things and make topics in our lives seem a little bit more serious than they may actually be. As I continued to glare at the TV I thought back to practice on Tuesday when I was really unhappy. Why was I unhappy? I was with great coaches, in a wonderful facility, surrounded by my friends, working to prepare myself to be successful in something I have chosen to make my current life's dream. What the *&^% was I unhappy about?

Some of you might remember this but back in the beginning of April a Navy SEAL named Derek came to Austin to visit. I went to dinner with him one night and he said something to me that has really stuck with me. He said, "Since I've been a SEAL I've realized that unless there are bullets flying at me everything is probably alright." Maybe this is a bit of an extreme example seeing how most of us have never had bullets fly at us, but I think this really makes a good point.

My goal is to try and take a step back when I'm stressed and realize how wonderful my life is. Instead of griping about a hard workout, be thankful that I'm able to do it. Be happy that I have someone who cares enough about me to make his living at coaching me to become successful and to fulfill my dreams. Realize that everything along the way may not be exactly how I want it. Be accepting and confident in the fact that I will make the best of it and that it will become something great in due time.

Now I'm going to go to Whole Foods and search for a really healthy and tasty treat that has been patiently waiting for me to find it!

Open Communication in a Difficult Time

This time of the season can be very difficult. There are many reasons as to why (more on those in future posts) but one stands out particularly in my mind...because it's currently going on for me now. I am now about six weeks out of World Championship Trials. This is about the time when I start thinking more and more about the meet and what I need to do preparation-wise in order to succeed. The difficult part can be my relationships with my coaches and making sure I keep my poise when I do things I may not want to do.

Here's the skinny...At this time of year, as the athlete, we all look to start resting (at least a little bit). We get excited about starting to feel better in the water, in the weight-room and simply in life (yeah, taper time gives me so much more energy that everything in my life actually seems more beautiful, more vibrant, happier, easier etc). There is no doubt that we know it is only a matter of time until we begin to get out early, do less morning workouts, lift weights less often, do more speed work etc. The difficulty is that we are not in charge. This is exactly the time when our coaches want to keep pushing us, keep working us hard, get this last bit of training in before we begin the taper process. Oh and by the way...they're right...we need the work...it's just not necessarily what we want to do. Does that make sense?

The reason this can be a difficult situation is because it needs to be handled properly, with open communication, so everyone is happy and on the same page going into taper and the big meet. I have no problem working hard...I never have. I fully trust in Eddie and Kris...there is no question about that. However, I too like seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel every now and again. I want to get out early once in a while. I want to have a recovery practice. Notice how it's all, "I want"? This is where the difficulty lies. As the athlete I know what I want...that doesn't mean that's what's best for me. In all likelihood what I want is not what's best for me in terms of being trained...that's why we have coaches. So what do I do?

Here's the skinny...I talk to Eddie and Kris. Tonight after practice I told Ed how I've been feeling. I told him flat out what is on my mind. I said, "Yo Edwin, lemmie hit the hot tub and chill out for a few...feel me?" haha nah just kidding. Seriously though, I said something to the affect of, "Ed I know we need to be working hard right now. I completely trust in what you're having me do. I need you to understand I've been having a hard time right now because I want to start feeling a little better but I know that will come in time. I understand what you're doing and I'm just letting you know that's where I'm at." Eddie knew this was how I'm feeling...just as he always does. Boom, now we're on the same page. I left the pool happy and confident in what we're doing 'together'. This is a together game...nothing gets done alone.

My advice is to talk openly with your coach. Discuss where you are and where you're going. Handle this situation properly and you'll all be feeling good and confident!

This was my reaction after the 50...I was pissed haha:P

50 free

Last night was the finals of the 50 free. I was pretty focused before the race. My start was ok. I've been working on looking at the bottom more so my head is in perfect alignment with my spine...this will help keep my body flat across the water and minimize drag when I swim. I don't really like it because it is harder for me to see where I am in the pool...I think it is helping me go faster though so I will do it. I was focusing on blasting my kick and having a clean entry with my hands at the front of my stroke. I hit the wall at 22.9. I got second. I was not happy. I dropped time from the prelims but I wasn't happy with how the race felt and I was annoyed I got second.

Sometimes I lose sight of the fact that I'm still tired. I can't expect so much of myself all the time. I have always been a big taper guy...meaning I swim my best when I get lots of rest. I will continue to keep getting better and better as the summer goes on. I know I am going to have a great summer but sometimes it's hard to simply settle with not doing exactly what I want right now. The time was still fast but I wanted more.

Later that night I started feeling better about it. I began to realize I actually did swim well for right now in the season. I just need to be patient.

Now I'm going to go fishing with some friends at their ranch in Hutto, Texas!

A&M Update 2

Last night I swam the 200 free. I didn't feel particularly good in warm-up. It is important to keep warming up when I don't feel good. It is very hard to warm-up too much, especially at this point of the season. I kept swimming slow hoping I would feel better. I didn't really feel any better but that may have just been in my mind. The truth is that it doesn't matter how you feel, it matters how you look. There have been many times in my career when I didn't feel very good in warm-up or even the race and I still had a great race. At Olympic Trials last summer I never felt incredible in warm-up. Obviously that didn't matter...I went all best times and broke two American Records.

The 200 free last night was great. I won the consolation final with the time of 1:53.9...(I actually thought I went 1:52.9 until about 30 seconds before I wrote this when my roommate told me I went 1:53.99...I was ticked...I thought I was better than that haha). That is still a really good time for me right now. I've been really tired in workouts and this meet gives me a good look at where I am and where I need to go with my training and preparation.

This morning I swam the 50 free. I warmed up really slow and got ready for the race. Again I didn't feel very good in warm-up. There was no power. Sometimes that's just what it is. I was trying to manufacture some power in my warm-up and get ready to have some in the race. I ended up going 23.7 in the 50. My hands felt really choppy and I was riding low in the water. This time is ok for a morning swim when I am still tired and only wore a Speedo. I'm seeded second going into finals tonight. My finals swim will be better. I'll let y'all know

College Station Update

I'm currently in College Station, Texas at a swim meet. I swam the 100 free yesterday. I got second and went 50.4. I was pretty happy with the time. The important thing to do at these meets leading up to World Championship Trials and the World Championships is to hone my skills and fine tune everything. Yesterday in the 100 I was really focused on keeping my head in line with my spine and making sure my body was in perfect position. This will allow me to move more smoothly through the water and travel with less resistance. I'm also working on my breathing. I have been breathing a little bit late in my stroke and I'm trying to make it more fluid.

Every time I race I make sure there are a few things I really focus on. The more I fine tune my skills the more confident I get. It is really important going into the big meets that my confidence is riding super high.

A Glimpse At My Softer Side...

This is a funny little video that was made for a meet last year called Encore! Now you can see my softer side:) Let me know if you think I have the talent to be an actor? haha

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