There is something indescribably cathartic about staring at the stripe at the bottom of the pool, lungs burning, fighting to touch the wall first. That’s not to mention the exhilarating feeling of pure camaraderie after a tough workout—high-fives and smiles all around. 

Hopping in the pool is one of my earliest toddlerhood memories, and up until my freshman year, daily workouts occupied the forefront of my life. Giving up year-round club swimming was more than giving up a fun activity: it was relinquishing a key part of my identity. 

Transitioning to a life without year-round swimming was challenging, but I clung to those aspects of swimming that were closest to my identity and daily life. Specifically, what I found most fascinating about swimming was the psychology behind race preparation. I loved to simulate races in my mind in the days leading up to a major meet—visualizing my competitors in the lane next to me, imagining myself hitting perfect turns, and feeling the adrenaline racing through my veins. 

Although I might not attend daily workouts anymore, my pump hasn’t stopped—and I’ve certainly still got ice in my veins. I hear the chilling “Take your mark...BEEP!” on a daily basis as I use visualization as a constant motivator for all my endeavors. Whether I’m researching for debate or studying for the next contest, I invent and personify competitors that are hard at work every minute I’m off task. 

Maybe it is possible to just keep swimming.