During the past year I have grown use to rising at 5:45 am to get ready and head to campus to study before classes. However, this summer I have been lazy. I have put off my work outs and slept in. When I have made it to the pool it has been in the afternoons, when the lanes are crowded and the work outs are mediocre.

I made a decision yesterday to apply myself to my athletic goals this summer. So when that alarm went off this morning at 5:00 am I was confused and then I began to dread getting out of my cozy warm bed and putting on my cold swimsuit. Even worse, I was dreading that initial plunge into the pool. When the cold water shocks my body and all I want is a warm shower and my sweats.

Despite it all I got out of bed and made it to the pool.

My workout was mild, working more on endurance than speed. However, while doing six kick backstroke drill I saw the sun rise behind the marine layer that shelters Santa Monica. It was in this moment that I was reminded of why I feel in love with swimming, besides the competition.

There is an amazing amount of self exploration that takes places during a swimming workout. There is no interaction with team mates. No one to talk to and take my mind of how much my legs are burning. The only person there to push me to go faster is me. It is complete solitary. Once I accepted this self induced seclusion, I was surrounded by peace. The peaceful state that I had lost sight of for many years.

This morning my passion for swimming was renewed, but also my appreciation for how wonderful life truly is. I was able to witness the calmness that exists in the world at 5:00 am. Before the sound of kids screaming, cars honking, cell phones ringing, and the reminder of all the deadline left to meet.

I was reminded that no matter how busy life gets, we should all take a moment to appreciate all the beauty this world has to offer.

I bought this book a few weeks ago, but I put off reading it until finals were over. I knew there was a very good chance I would become obsessed and not put it down! That is exactly what happened last Thursday.
I submitted my last paper for Spring 2009, sat right down and started reading Dara Torres’ book.

I read the entire book in about four hours, its only around two hundred pages. However, I just could not put it down. I knew Dara was an amazing athlete with a love for competition, why else would she be in the Olympics at age forty-one?
What I did not know what her incredible and inspiring life story that lead up to those races.
Only about a quarter of the way through the book I text my mom tell her to go out and by the book!

I laughed and cried, this book is pure inspiration. It does not matter if you are a swimmer, an athlete or a mom. Just reading the drive and determination that Dara has is enough to make anyone want to change the world.

BTW
Dara has a twitter too! So check it out,
twitter.com/daratorresswims

I picked up here book today.
I am really excited to start reading it, she is amazing!

Also on Thursday, Kellogg Co. said it will drop Phelps’ endorsement deal. The company said in a statement that it will not renew its contract with Phelps, which expires at the end of February. The company did not renew its deal with the US Olympic Team, which expired in December

Maybe this is more of Kelloggs not having the money to pay Phelps than Phelps actually do anything wrong.

Michael has also been suspended from any swimming competition for three months.

This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero.

Phelps voluntarily accepted his punishment.

There has been much controversy of Phelps and his weed smoking experience.
I feel it is sad when Americans can criticize a twenty-three year old man for doing what most of America has done and probably still does everyday. In every interview Phelps has given since winning EIGHT gold medals the public has seen his extreme work out regime since the age of eleven. Michael has accomplished more in twenty-three years than most will in a life time. Stop judging and let him be.

I feel like Michael should be allowed to be 23. The country should calm down and worry about actual life changing events, like the war.
Phelps should only apologize for someone taking his picture and selling it.