A generic iPhone ringtone startles me awake. I slide the sound off, and roll over to look at the digital clock on my desk: 6 a.m. Some mornings I can’t even remember why I’m up that early, wondering what I could possibly have to do. Other times I just roll back over to the warm spot where I was currently laying, and wait until the very last second when I have to get out of bed and get ready. Waking up early is not for everybody. For me it’s not a choice, but an occupation. From September to May, it’s my duty to roll out of bed and into a pool.
With my swimsuit on and towel packed, my roommates and I trudge the seemingly long walk to the campus pool–a place the average UT student would consider going to relax and hang out. Well, we weren’t headed to a pool party, and we definitely weren’t planning on laying out to tan. We finally arrive, and join the rest of the sleepy-eyed people, dreading the moment when our coaches tell us to take off our clothes and dive in.
Sometimes we’re lucky and it’s a nice 65 degrees outside. Other times we’re not and it’s below 40 degrees and windy. Occasionally a cold night will come out of nowhere, and the pool heaters haven’t been turned on. Those are the mornings when you have to take a second to reevaluate your life choices, and contemplate how you ended up in a position requiring you to jump into freezing cold water before the sun is up. But eventually, we all come to the same conclusion: just close your eyes and do it.
Swimming is not a sport for the undisciplined. Having practice every day, swimming endless laps back and forth and waking up at 6 a.m. every morning is not something many people can do consistently. So why do we do it? For some, it’s for the recognition and the possible record-breaking swims. For others, it’s to stay in shape and beat personal bests. For me, it’s just to be a part of something awesome. Our team is a family–we eat together, party together and suffer together. Our job as athletes is not only to win meets, but to encourage and watch out for one another and to help our teammates succeed in life, both in the pool and out.
So when I’m shivering in the morning water, exhausted from a hard set, don’t feel bad for me. Because in the end, it doesn’t matter how fast you are, and it doesn’t matter if you’re the one making the national titles. What matters is that you’re there, day in and day out with your team.