Olympic Trials 2012

Might would = possibly consider but requiring more than just a snap decision So the "would" is more or less superfluous.

If I moved to Charlotte I may be able to train under a great coach, Dave Marsh. The only thing that is really keeping me in Wilmington is Surfing and Ocean Rescue in the summer. ... I'm not going to jump to any decisions because I haven't thought long and hard enough about it yet. I have daughters your age and I'll share the same advice I give them... If you really want this, now is the time to do it, because later you will kick yourself for not having tried. BUT, understand that you will have to sacrifice other things you may want that stand in the way or, or draw your attention from your goal. That said, with the time you have, you need to decide if things like surfing and lifeguarding now are more important than trying to make yourself as fast as possible for the OT's. Consistancy, in focus, effort, coaching, and lifestyle will get you there. Any wishy-washiness will make it near impossible. All the best, I would love to say, "we were on the same forum once" after you get to go to the big dance!

That said, with the time you have, you need to decide if things like surfing and lifeguarding now are more important than trying to make yourself as fast as possible for the OT's. Consistancy, in focus, effort, coaching, and lifestyle will get you there. Any wishy-washiness will make it near impossible. Good point. This reminds me of something on the DVD "Unfiltered" about Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker. I believe it was Michael's coach Bob Bowman who mentioned that when it was clear Michael could be a world class swimmer he started working out seven days a week. He literally never took a day off: Christmas, vacations, whatever. And you can bet he was doing doubles on most of those days. Their theory was just about every other swimmer "only" swims six days a week so that was just 52 more days a year where Michael was doing something to get ahead. Now, that's commitment!

Not that most of the notable swim coaches are not very serious about what they do, but Bowman seems to have a passion about this like none other. Watching Kaitlin, Erik, and Michael (let alone Vanderkaay's, Keller, Tarwater, etc.) it is plain to see that his methods are worthy of note. Amen to that. Not only do the swimmers have to be dedicated, the coaches do too! They sacrifice a lot of time and energy.....they miss those holidays and time off too.:bow:

I think it's fantastic that you have such goals. If you are committed and have the desire, you can do it. But you also need a good coach and to be swimming with other top caliber swimmers. I’ll give you an example. One of the boys who was on our club team has similar goals as yours. Three years ago during, his senior year in high school, he decided that he wanted to swim in college and make the Trials cuts in 2008. With the help of his coach, he managed to talk his way onto a university program as a walk on. He has been very successful and will most likely make those cuts this summer. Here is an example of the improvement in his times: 2004 2006 100 free 49.94(scy) 45.23(scy) 200 free 1:51.91(scy) 1:37.51(scy) 200 IM 2:05.75(scy) 1:48.61(scy) I don’t think this kind of improvement would have happened without the coaching and the program he’s swimming with. Something for you to consider if you’re serious. I wish you the best in your endeavor.

jsmwbnc has a better chance of making trials than someone the same age who has trained their entire life and goes a 46 in the 100 free. The difference is the person who has trained their whole life has little to no potential to get better. Jsm is fresh and has alot of potenial but undetermined just how mush he has, so go for it. I like your attitude to see how fast you can posibly go. "aim to be the greatest, if you come up short you will still only be great" -I forgot who said this

The only reason I would rather do it alone is because I know what I need to do. Swimming with a group of people is great for working out harder but I feel like the workouts are more generalized instead of tailored to my needs. Again, I really appreciate all of the encouraging replies. Even the not so encouraging ones because that makes me want to do it even more. Rob, congrats on your sons incredible times. Where does he swim for? OK, I was being nice last time, but this comment tells me you need a little slap in the face of reality. You will not be successful alone. Period. Even if you pack up today, move to Berkeley and pay Mike Bottom to coach you, the odds are pretty slim you will make US Olympic trials in swimming, arguably the most competitive event there is in this country. The times you posted are decent, but you have a long long loooong way to go and I can guarantee you that you do not know what you need if you think you will be successful without a coach.

while I understand that you think that you train just fine on your own...and sometimes, when my team and coach is really getting on my nerves I feel the same way, its not ideal But...the bottomline is...when I was in 11th grade I was hating my USS coach and teammates, and as a result I was the #1 slacker you have ever met. I made some sacrafices, and shelled out $680 for the season and transferred teams. I had to drive 45minutes each way 6 days a week...but I got to swim with some fantastic swimmers, and I was no longer the fastest on the team...I think training with these swimmers who have outshown my in the pool time and time again, is what has led to my successes and my time drops over the past few years. That in practice competition with your teammates is great for your training. I understand working with a coach might not be at the top of your list, but what if you found a coach you could meet with on maybe a bi-weekly basis-Maybe like Friday and Tuesday, and they can really be more of a stroke analyzer...they can also give you workouts for the entire week...so that you are getting there input, but also not having to work with one on a day to day basis for now. I agree with the comment that was made, that you should take the next year or so to really learn about swimming and proper technique and see what you are doing right, wrong, or somewhere inbetween. It's only going to help you in the long run and prevent injury with any luck. If you chose to do this, it would work great if you saw a coach 1 or 2x a week!

There are so many fantastic ideas here. Again, I really appreciate all of the feedback. If I moved to Charlotte I may be able to train under a great coach, Dave Marsh. The only thing that is really keeping me in Wilmington is Surfing and Ocean Rescue in the summer. I'm go to school at a community college so switching schools wouldn't be a problem. So far this winter the surf hasn't been great and the beach lifeguarding is only in the summer and early fall so I may consider it. However, I would still come back to Wilmington for lifeguarding in the summers. During the summer I would be able to train with UNCW since it would be their offseason. If I were to decide to train in Charlotte I would probably just move back with my parents, they live in Salisbury, N.C. It is about a 45 minute drive to the pool I would train at so it would be pointless to try and live in Charlotte when it's that close. If I did end up moving it wouldn't be until fall 2007 because I have to finish out this semester at school and then summer is right after that. I'm not going to jump to any decisions because I haven't thought long and hard enough about it yet.

may be able