31 July 2001

Jenny Grover

Boise Y Swim Team, Boise, Idaho

It’s hard to believe the first day is already over. For months our team has been training intensely, our eyes ultimately focused on the goals we have set for this meet. In only a few short seconds those goals are put on the line, and our courage is tested.

Traveling to Baltimore, our team has brought many rookies to the meet. Though our team makes the annual journey down to Ft. Lauderdale for spring nationals, the trip to summer nationals is a new experience for all, and I, even with four years of national experience under my belt, feel nouveau in this unfamiliar scene. Just ask; I was the one who forgot my Y card.

The team reacted well to this unfamiliarity – in fact, we were 100% for best times before the 50 frees and finished the day with a 10 and 3 record. The boys’ 200 medley relay really stepped up, swimming times way beyond what many had expected.

I had a tough first day. There’s no way to rationalize what happens – your teammate who swims half the yards you do swims a fabulous race, while you’re struggling to make it to the other end, or those who decide they want to swim fast and do it. What is it that allows them to surpass their dreams while I watch my own fade?

I spent a lot of time in my hotel room yesterday trying to figure out what I was doing here, just letting these precious few days of summer slip through my grasp, and missing my teammates whom we left behind in Boise. But soon I realized that this trip isn’t all about swimming – it’s about walking around with our bumblebee bags and eating all-you-can-eat Italian. So much of it is spent strengthening friendships and becoming a stronger person mentally that can stare a challenge in the face and defeat it. I’m not saying I want this meet to be about sufferings, but I do want to take an unbiased hold of the opportunity to build new friendships and appreciate the chance.

Tomorrow brings a new day – filled with possibilities that I can embrace.