Mentoring another swimmer

I cannot begin to tell anyone and everyone the value in having the opportunity to mentor another swimmer. A swimmer who has talent, but lacks experience, some technique, and limited water time compared to yourself. I have had this most wonderful experience twice in three years. This year, I have a wonderful young woman, early 20s, from Scotland, strong, strong swimmer but lacks experience and competition. Her name is Jo and she is full of life, always up and optimistic, never complains and follows training guidelines without question. We were introduced in early January and started training for the triathlon shortly thereafter. She had been swimming alone for several months, not doing much yardage. Her swim stroke is pretty solid so she has gone all the miles I have gone. She is also interested in possibly doing the Utila swim, too. I have noticed that she is closing the gap between me and her; that her hard training is paying off in a big way. I know she will be a force to be dealt with this Sunday. Now, as most all of us, we never want to lose but accept it gracefully. And I am at the point that if anyone takes me, I want it to be her because I have seen the hard work she has put in. If this happens this Sunday, I will embrace her win almost as if it were mine; she will deserve it. She may have trouble with traffic and navigation, but I am thinking that I want her to swim the best she can that day. I have talked to her about this and she said she would feel great disrespect if she pulls ahead of me. I have told her that if she were to deliberately not take me, then she is not the competitor I thought she was. That she should swim the mile to find out what she can do regardless of anyone else in the swim. And that once the gun goes off, she won't be my friend for that 1 mile so I expect her to feel the same. I will have no problem in changing directions and running into her; she is just another swimmer. Mentoring another is a reward in and of itself; not only does it make the mentor feel important, the mentor is giving the student great information and experience they may not have had. I believe people cross our paths for a reason, Jo is one of these for me. I wish her a fast, powerful 1 mile swim and at the end of the race, we will embrace and be thrilled for what we both accomplished. She doesn't know it yet, but I have pulled out my first Texas State Gold medal for a 100 m back swim and will give it to her if she beats me!! Please, if you can find the time, mentor a swimmer who is struggling or having problems staying focused. Even just an hour or two a week, you will give them inspiration. Like the movie said: Pay It Forward. donna