I would ask him about swimming in Phelps' shadow.
This one would be a little tricky since I'm sure he's asked about Phelps in every interview he gives. He probably hates the question.
I have a feeling Lochte will enter a ton of events at Trials and see how well he can handle it. If we see him start scratching events then we'll know he's tiring.
I think you are right. I'm changing my mind. Up to a couple days ago, I thought his event schedule at Shanghai would be a really good realistic indicator for London. But now his 100 fly is a 52 low. He's was just .09 behind Phelps at this Grand Prix meet!
Tyler McGill went 51.95 in France last week. I think the #2 spot on the Olympic roster is still his to lose.
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../30096.asp
interesting- thanks for the link.
Ask him about his 200 IM race (or any race) e.g. What aspects of technique or race strategy do you think about just prior to a race?
Maybe you can word the question better, but I am looking for what aspects of his stroke or turn or whatever does he think about prior to. In a 200 free I think of easy speed the first fifty etc., or I think of hitting the turns hard and doing three SDK's or switching to 4th stroke breathing on the last 25.
Fascinating. Envious of the opportunity to have a conversation with Ryan.
After watching the Indy GP online, among the things I'd ask him is how he maintains his confidence after training heavily through (and getting beat during) meets in-season. At this Grand Prix, he was beat by guys who will not beat him come trials--how does he know he will be able to step it up? Most athletes--even elite ones--need a reminder that they can hit the wall first. Lochte seems totally chill with winning a console or getting 5th from lane 7 three months out and then making the team when it counts.
Recent training philosophy seems to say that you need to practice swimming fast in order to do just that. How does Ryan swim a 1:59 in the 200 IM for a year and know that he can drop a 1:54.00 when he needs to? it's a very different race (at that level) , with major differences in number of strokes per length, rhythm, etc.
I also wonder what his plans are after London. Seems clear that MP is retiring, but no one seems to be commenting on what RL is doing. I don't see any reason for him to retire. Would love to have some continuity as we hope for the next generation to step it up.
Thanks to you all for some great questions! I copied and pasted them all into my file on Mr. Lochte! As of now, I am only scheduled for 15-20 minutes with him for interview time (though I do get to swim a couple laps with him after his practice--I am hoping for some tips on SDKs.)
I am a little confused about his times from GP. When did he do that fantastic 100 fly? Then he got crushed by MP in the 200 IM. It almost seems like he's got some fast swims in him now, despite lack of tapering, but he also is worn out--no doubt in part from pushing tractor tires and dragging anchor chains down the alley behind his house!
If by some miracle I can extend the time I interview him past the 20 min allotment, I would also love to ask him about whether he likes swimming enough that he ever thinks about doing masters after his retirement from the professional ranks. Can you imagine what he and Phelps could do in the 80-84 age group if they kept at his for the next 55 years!
Please keep letting me know anything else you'd like to ask him. Maybe with my twin brother's help, I can post the audio interview on a podcast for you all to listen to at some point. (It shouldn't be hard to tell the interviewer and interviewee apart: I will be the stumbling, stuttering, Colombo-like one; he will presumably be the Florida surfer nice guy Adonis one.)
Jim,
A few years ago I was lucky enough to attend the Golden Goggles awards when they were here in Los Angeles. I got to sit at a table with Janet Evans and Brian Goodell...a thrill for me.
After the ceremonies I got to chat with many swimmers including Rowdy, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak. I also spoke to Michael.
I said to him, "You know, when you are done there is always Masters swimming." He looked at me and said, "When I'm done, I'm done!":bolt:
Jim,
A few years ago I was lucky enough to attend the Golden Goggles awards when they were here in Los Angeles. I got to sit at a table with Janet Evans and Brian Goodell...a thrill for me.
After the ceremonies I got to chat with many swimmers including Rowdy, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak. I also spoke to Michael.
I said to him, "You know, when you are done there is always Masters swimming." He looked at me and said, "When I'm done, I'm done!":bolt:
I am sure that's what Thorpe thought too, but then the fathood began to accumulate...
I do wonder how easy it is going to be for these guys to adjust their caloric intake post mega-training. I mean you eat 7000-12,000 calories a day for 15 years, I think it's gotta be a major adjustment to go down to 2000-3000!
I'm guessing that he's a little grateful for Phelps, because Lochte lives for the challenge, and if Phelps hadn't raised the bar like he did I'm not sure that Lochte would be the swimmer that he is...
I remember that Hoogie made a similar comment when Thorpe retired. He pushed himself to go faster than he ever thought he would go, just because Thorpe was out there.
This one would be a little tricky since I'm sure he's asked about Phelps in every interview he gives. He probably hates the question.
I'm guessing that he's a little grateful for Phelps, because Lochte lives for the challenge, and if Phelps hadn't raised the bar like he did I'm not sure that Lochte would be the swimmer that he is...
