With the 2008 Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Neb., less than a year away, America’s top swimmers have begun preparing for what could be the biggest and most important meet of their careers. Every week until then, two athletes – Olympic veteran Dana Vollmer and up-and-coming hopeful Caitlin Leverenz – will share their perspectives as they inch closer to the March to Beijing.
This week’s journal entry comes from Olympian and world record holder Vollmer.
Week 4 - Dec. 5
Wow, so a ton has happened since I last wrote. Golden Goggles, Thanksgiving and Nationals all came and went.
Golden Goggles were an absolute blast this year, I loved it! Getting to see all the athletes dressed up and look great is such a difference from being our sweats and swim caps. I brought my roommate, Lauren Rogers as my date this year. She really made the experience amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a closer friend to be there with me.
Together we got to go dress shopping and afterwards had many times in our apartment where we would dress up and prance around, lol. Yes, we still act like we are 5 years old and love to play dress up just like we did when we were little. Lauren found her little black dress at BCBG and accessorized with gold shoes and jewelry. I was able to borrow a dress from Morgan Beck, a close friend of mine on the volleyball team, that she had gotten from Cache. It was altered so the back was low enough to show my Olympic rings tattoo. It was perfect!
At the awards, we got to meet up with our former teammate Jessica Hardy and the three of us hung out and had a blast! The event itself was fascinating, with these crazy, contortionist Chinese acrobats. I have never seen the human body bend like these young girls could bend themselves. It was amazing. I wish I had that part of the event on tape, or at least had some pictures, but I was too in shock to take any. My table was full of fun and interesting people who made great conversation the entire night! Overall it was a great experience and I am looking forward to the next one!
Right after I got back from Golden Goggles I left for Thanksgiving that Wednesday. Sadly, plane tickets back home to Texas were too expensive, so I went to visit my cousins again in Clear Lake - just about two hours north of Berkeley. My Aunt Diane made a great meal with the whole works: turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, etc. I always love spending time with my cousin Lena, and I am still shocked how much we can look alike. My brother was able to find a cheaper flight from Texas to Berkeley so he flew out for the week. It was sooo good to see him! We got to go shopping in San Francisco and we got him tons of clothes, which was a blast! I love shopping for my brother. I was really sad when he had to leave at the end of the week, but I am excited to hang out with him again when I go home.
Nationals went much better than I expected. Since I was dealing with my back and rehab, I didn’t have very high expectations going into the meet. I simply wanted to give it my all and see where I stand right now. After taking a week off and getting two cortisone shots I didn’t expect to be anywhere near my best times.
Well, I was close to most of them, and I think this was the fastest I have swum un-rested. All my times were basically what I went in the prelims of NCAAs, so I know even at this point that I will be faster than I was last year. It was fun to watch the rest of my team also put up great times, and to watch Natalie get some best times and American records. I think it is now a huge battle between Natalie, Rachel Komisarz and me on who will be the first female ever to go under 50 seconds in the 100 fly. I know how badly I want to be that first girl, so I am ready to work hard and do it.
On average we had three CAL swimmers in most finals so it was fun getting to race my teammates at such a high level. I was really proud of one of our freshman this year, Amanda Sims, as she went a personal best in her 200 fly and is going faster than I did at this point last year. I know that she has so much room for improvement and is going to be one of the fastest flyers at NCAAs.
Another one of teammates, Natalie La Rochelle, was the perfect example of hard work paying off. She is one of the most inspiring and motivating girls, as she finally got her Olympic trials cut in the 200 IM. Her exciting swim really motivated me. I love seeing that kind of passion. Congrats to her! In each one of my races I learned something new about how I swim and ways to get better. Teri and I have more information and great ideas to help me improve.
As for school, this is my last week of instruction before finals begins. I have to say this is a stressful period. My college writing portfolio is due tomorrow, and a research project for Public Health class is due on Friday. I have a final on Monday, but then I have a long break till the Dec. 20 for my antho class. Then, I get to go home and see my family for the holidays. I love Christmas! Happy Holidays to everybody. I hope they go well!