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Nationals
is over and my break begins! I have to admit it... I
like junk food. I am normally pretty good about
keeping it down during the season, and I eat 100%
healthy during the lead-in to and during my taper,
but for the two weeks we're off... I eat whatever I
want. Chocolate, ice cream, I love it! I think
swimmers need this stuff at some point to keep the
edge off and help remind ourselves during the season
that there is a pay-off coming in the form of tasty
treats.
The meet itself went ok; I got a 1st, a 2nd, and a
3rd. I took third in the 200-meter breaststroke
after taking it out far too slow, and a silver in
the 100-meter. My relay, KING Aquatic Club, also won
our first National title as a team in the medley
relay. We were so excited! Individual events are
awesome and are definitely the goal to win, but to
do something as a team is so rewarding in itself. I
mean, seriously, how awesome is it to be on the
podium with some of your best friends and think back
on what you just accomplished? Sometimes people get
too caught up in competing for their selves....
Swimming isn't a team sport most of the time, but
take advantage of it when you can.
After break, I'll be getting back into weight
training right away. I honestly don't always enjoy
it, but it's a different stimulus for the body that
can help quite a bit. That said, if it's done
improperly, I know full well that it can completely
mess up your swimming, too. I'm lucky to have a team
that can make sure I do things correctly.
Out of the last week, one of the most amazing things
I've ever seen was Dara Torres and her 50-meter
freestyle. At 23, I sometimes feel so old, but if
she can go out there at 40 and break her own
American record that was set when I was only 16, I
can never complain again! I also think what she is
doing will be huge for swimming as a sport. Can you
imagine what the average person, no longer a
teenager, will say when they see her at the
Olympics? What we need is for people to believe they
can still be fit and accomplish things no matter how
old they are, and without a doubt Dara's
accomplishments will push some people to get active.
Being a catalyst for a healthy America is far more
of an accomplish than an Olympic gold medal, and
yet, Dara might be able to do both!
I hope everyone is doing well. Until next time!
Megan
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