5 days until offical training in Rio
Hey Everyone,
Well, it has been about a week an a half since we have been training here in San Juan and I must say it’s been an intense, yet gratifying camp so far! We have taken a new approach towards this competition, mainly being that we are really starting to simulate what it will be like swimming in Rio. For example, here in Puerto Rico we have a half open pool, giving us a bit of the feeling of swimming outside with the sun as well as some wind which is a force that we don’t get to feel on a daily basis. It has been a great team building experience to work through each situation we have faced, as well as some we might face in the future.
We have also taken some large steps forward as we are finally finding that “sweet spot” we need to compete at our best. A sense of unity is rising within us. For all of us, even for our last olymian on the team, having to qualify is a new experience. It has been an uphill battle, both mentally and physically, to prepare ourselves for an event of such magnitude, and what an amazing feeling it is! We are finally here!!! We have been training our entire lives for this moment. The chance to compete at the Olympic Level for our country, in front of some of our biggest supporters is something that will live with us beyond these qualifiers as well as beyond the Olympic Games. We are in complete control of this journey, knowing that we have done everything in our power to get us to this stage of our careers. We are going to go in fighting, never doubting that we are fully prepared for this challenge.
Claudia Holzner 