It’s very weird to think that yesterday was my last day
working on my senior project, my last day to officially be doing work for
Hawken. I will soon be heading off to
college, but realized that coach Tim, being the most influential coach of my
entire swimming career, will remain an important figure in my life. I get a little sad as I stand in a circle
with the younger swimmers to begin the pre-practice stretching and dryland.
Working with coach Tim has made me more aware of several
swimming concepts to help out younger or developing swimmers, but most
importantly he has taught me to be more aware of my own swimming
technique. Whenever I come up for a
breath and see him flailing his arms at the side of the pool, motioning for me
to pop my head out of the water and listen to his feedback, it reminds me of
how I stood in his position for three weeks.
I too served as a coach, a mentor for the developing swimmers, a group
of which I was once a part. Furthermore,
I have recently reached a new level at which my body can push through the pain
that comes with working through a hard practice. Stepping into the coaches’ shoes for several
weeks has made me realize that it is wasteful of the coaches’ time to stop at
the wall and pretend to adjust your goggles; why not push yourself a step
farther. You’ll feel much more
accomplished at the end of the set. And
that’s what’s been most fulfilling for me.
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Bye swimming pool, it's been a fun three weeks. Haha just kidding, see you tomorrow morning at six!
Hi Eleanor! Following your project over these last few weeks has been really cool! I have never really been super knowledgable about sports, let alone the crazy world that is swimming, so this "insider view" into the swimming lifestyle has been eyeopening. I also think that it's really cool that you get to do something for your project that you are obviously so passionate about. I've enjoyed looking at the "behind-the-scenes" photos you have been posting from the pool over the course of your project. It seems like you have really grown as an athlete as well as a student with respect to learning experience. While your Hawken swimming career is coming to an end, I hope you continue to improve as you pursue your love of the sport. I find myself as an athlete admiring your work ethic and drive and dedication to swimming. I only started doing sports when I came to Hawken and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I feel like being involved with a sport is something I would have liked to have done earlier in my life and that we as athletes form a special bond. I wish you the best of luck in the future!
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