My Exclusive Interview with Sponsor Softcup

As you all probably know, I have been the spokesperson for Softcup since 2011. Today, Softcup debuted my exclusive interview with them in a blog as part of their "Fun Fridays" feature. I talk about my training, being a mom, my new book "In The Water They Can't See You Cry" and much more.

Check out part one of my interview with Softcup here.

Schedule a swim clinic and watch the Olympic Games with me!

Here we go!

This is it, folks! It’s a “make it or break it” kind of week – Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska. What better way to ease my jitters than to check in with all the awesome moms out there? Anything to get my mind off of the pressure and nerves is 100% welcome (don’t you worry – I’m still focused as ever – simply channeling my high energy elsewhere!). The competition is high and I’m feeling more ready than ever. Here is to hoping for a fast, impressive performance. But, enough about the meet!

Getting a chance to leave the house for any kind of trip is always an adventure with my two boys – it comes along with some good, bad, stress and most importantly, fun! While this week is not a typical trip for the family, it still involved running too close to our departure times and searching around the house to grab those last-minute, forgotten items (only to find that youactually did stuff them in your suitcase). Not to mention, this trip did not have days of relaxation to follow the hectic day of traveling! 

I’ll tell you what the rushed packing did give me, though: an even bigger appreciation for my Maytag washer and dryer. I realized before leaving for the airport that a load of laundry was sitting, still untouched and dirty, in the washer. Yes, like most of you have often done, I forgot to press the “start” button! Thank goodness those machines run so quickly and efficiently. My clothes were washed and dried in no time! For any moms out there searching the market for a new set, I highly suggest any Maytag appliances – they proved to be a lifesaver this week. 

I want to hear about all of your traveling experiences with your family – the good and the bad. How do you maintain your sanity when you’re running late to catch the flight or a suitcase goes missing? Share your stories with me!

Fellow Swimmers Share How They Prep for a Meet

With the help of Aqua Sphere and SwimOutlet.com, I was granted the fun opportunity to host a contest that asked fellow swimmers to share their top tips for preparing for big swim meets. This contest was  part of a mini-series called “Chasing 5” chronicling my pursuit of my 5^th Olympic Games (in the midst of keeping up with my duties as a mom, wife and businesswoman!). I really loved this promotion because I got to interact with so many other talented swimmers and hear what works for them. I even may take a tip or two as I continue on my journey to the Olympic Games (fingers crossed)!

To end the contest, Aqua Sphere and SwimOutlet.com asked me to choose my three favorite tips. Winners won a signed copy of my new memoir, “In The Water They Can’t See You Cry,” as well as a gift card for awesome Aqua Sphere apparel!

Check out the winning entries I chose: 

Winning Entry 1 – Grant: As an older swimmer, I prepare for a meet slightly differently than when in college. From a nutrition standpoint, I drink protein shakes within the hour of my morning training.  Iwish I had done that 20+ years ago, but I’m not sure nutrition was really viewed as part of the training toolkit. I also try to eat many times a day and as much as possible. At 6'1", I'm down to 175 pounds, so to keep energy up and help my body recover, the protein and volume of food is a must. After all, you can't run a high horsepower motor with no gas in the tank!

From a mental aspect, knowing that some days I'm not going to be as fast as others in a workout is okay. As a sprinter, it's okay to swim and feel tired during the season, knowing how beneficialthe payoff will be when I taper. Also, I've learned to smile and really enjoy the sport and camaraderie – I used to be way too serious and wouldn't even talk to competitors. Now, I'm like a chatty 12-year-old and make it fun for all, including coaches. Live for the moment as the moments in swimming change.

Physically (and mentally, too), it comes down to a simple adage: “To swim fast, you have to swim fast.” There are times when you have to push yourself to the limits. That's when you have to "attack" and think about what your goals are. Then, when you step up to the block, you have the confidence knowing you did all you could in preparation. Leave no doubt to yourself or anyone else. If you can do the "mirror test" (look at yourself in the mirror and honestly answer your own questions),you have no one else to answer to or anything else to prove! 

Winning Entry 2 – Hanna: I prepare for every swim meet like it's my last. No matter if it's regionals, nationals, or just a time trial, to me, each meet is just as important. Each meet is a chance to feel the adrienaline rush of great racing.

In practice, I make sure I have the right feeling for the water. There's that feeling of fusion and ease that I long for with every stroke I take. Once I've found that right feeling, I know I am ready for the race.

At home, I make sure I watch even closer what I eat. I make sure to fuel mybody with the best foods, so I get the most out of every meal.

Mental preparation is key in swimming. They say every race is 20% physical and 80% mental, and I strongly believe it. A week prior to the meet, I begin to I visualize my races before bed each night. The dive, every stroke, every turn, the finish, and even what I am doing behind the blocks before the race even starts.

To me, there is nothing more satisfying than the adrienaline rush of racing. That's why I love swimming.

Winning Entry 3 – Amanda: The night before a meet I like to make sure I stretch a lot to loosen up my muscles. For dinner I eat pasta with a little bit of oil and a touch ofsalt and pepper. I like to make sure not to eat too much so I can go to bed early and have a good night sleep. While I lay in bed, I imagine myself swimming the race exactly the way I wish to swim when I am actually on the block.

The morning of a race, I eat a banana for the potassium and eat only healthy snacks throughout the day.

Before the meet, I jump up and down to get myself pumped for the meet. As I step onto the block, I clear my mind of any distractions and focus on my race. Before the referee blows the whistle, I close my eyes and visualize myself swimming the event with the speed and form that I wish to perform. When I hit the water, I swim with it, not against It – at that point, there is no turning back!

Good Luck Amanda Beard! You are my inspiration.

Congrats to Grant, Hanna and Amanda! And thanks to everyone else who participated.

If you’re interested in reading all of the great tips in addition to watching the “Chasing 5” video footage, click here.

If you didn’t get a chance to share your tips on SwimOutlet.com, be sure to leave a comment here letting me know how YOU prepare for a big meet. I love to hear how other adults, especially swimmers, who are doubling up as parents AND athletes keep the competitive drive going!

Finding Balance in Life

I can't express to you how important it is to achieve balance in life. Whether you’re a mom, dad, athlete, businessperson or just a regular Joe; you need to find the perfect harmony between work, family life and “me time” to not only keep your body and mind sound, but keep yourself sane too! A good balance is what allows you to live a fulfilled life and really enjoy what it has to offer. I believe that I still love to swim and compete because I have found this balance (finally – not without struggle for sure!)

It doesn’t matter if you are an athlete pursuing the first-place podium at the Olympic Games or simply a motivated stay-at-home mom; either way, you always need time for you and the things you enjoy. I always say that swimming makes me a better mom because I have a way to stay fit, active and refreshed –  this allows me to come home relaxed and energized for my son. Being a mom is a welcomed distraction from my intense training and competition, though. After a tough practice session, I can go home and enjoy my family time without constantly thinking about swimming, which actually makes me a better swimmer. The two things perfectly complement each other and allow me to be motivated at home and in the pool.

Find your own balance.


How do YOU keep a work / life balance?

Trials Time

I can’t believe Olympic Trials are less than two weeks away! Years of training and it's almost here!!!

Currently I’m tapering (for those of you who might not know - tapering is when you cut back on exercise to let your body recouperate before a big meet) so I still have practices but not twice daily like usual and being honest, the extra time has been really nice.

As a mom and wife it gives me more time to keep my home life organized, spend time with my family and have a little “me” time (so rare!).  I wake up, train, come home, have breakfast with my boys, do chores around the house like dishes and laundry (I feel like I’m constantly cleaning my swimsuits – seriously thank goodness for my Maytag washer and dryer – I think I've used them more in three months than most people would in three years!) and then the rest of the day is open for Blaise’s swim lessons and my business meetings.

If I make the team at trials I’ll be away at camp and then off to London so I'm really happy to hang out with my boys as much as I can right now. The time leading up to trials is always a bit like a roller coaster – I love it and just roll with it but some phases are easier than others. Being away from your child, your husband and your life for extended periods is never easy no matter what the circumstances are.

I’d love to hear how other moms do it!

Advanced Swim Workout

WARM-UP

• 400 swim

• 400 kick

• 400 pull

WORKOUT

4x:

• 4x50 (non free drill) 1:00

• 100 free 1:30

• 4x25 (1 fast/1 easy) :40

1x:

• 8x100 pull (descend 1-4 and 5-8) 1:20

1x:

• 8x100 kick (descend 1-4 and 5-8) 1:40

1x:

• 20x25 (all fast - finish with a flip turn) :40

WARM DOWN

• 400 easy

TOTAL: 5,100 yd

If you have any questions please ask in the comment section below and remember THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE! If you attempt to follow it you are doing so AT YOUR OWN RISK! When making any changes to your fitness routine ALWAYS take your personal limits into serious consideration and ABSOLUTELY MAKE SURE you obtain prior approval from a licensed and board certified physician!

-Amanda

Intermediate Swim Workou

WARM-UP

• 300 swim

• 200 kick

• 200 pull

WORKOUT

4x: (a round of each stroke)

• 1x50 (medium speed) 1:00

• 2x25 (15 fast/10 easy) :45

1x:

• 5x100 kick (descend 1-5) 2:00

1x:

• 400 pull ( mix up your strokes)

3x:

• 4x50 (descend 1-4) 1:00

• 4x25 (1 easy/1fast) :45

• 50 easy

WARM DOWN

• 300 easy

TOTAL: 3,350 yd

If you have any questions please ask in the comment section below and remember THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE! If you attempt to follow it you are doing so AT YOUR OWN RISK! When making any changes to your fitness routine ALWAYS take your personal limits into serious consideration and ABSOLUTELY MAKE SURE you obtain prior approval from a licensed and board certified physician!

-Amanda

Novice Swim Workout

WARM-UP

• 200 swim

• 100 kick

• 100 pull

WORKOUT

• 8x50 (25 drill/25 swim) 1:15

• 8x25 (15 fast/10 easy) :45

• 3x100 kick 2:00

• 8x25 kick (15 fast/10easy) :50

WARM-DOWN

• 200 easy

TOTAL: 1,700 yd

If you have any questions please ask in the comment section below and remember THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE! If you attempt to follow it you are doing so AT YOUR OWN RISK! When making any changes to your fitness routine ALWAYS take your personal limits into serious consideration and ABSOLUTELY MAKE SURE you obtain prior approval from a licensed and board certified physician!

-Amanda

Swim Mommas

Who hired the clowns?

Mugging with Angi Greene on the Aqua Sphere set. Girls just wanna have fun!

Set Shot

Hair & Make-Up Poolside

It was cold on the Aqua Sphere set yesterday! I'm always amazed at how photographers can make a dreary day look sunny.

Goggles Galore

Look at the selection of colors! Almost makes me wish I could wear more than one pair at a time.

New Suits

I don't remember how many suits I put on but it was a lot!!! "Do any of these come in flannel?"

New Goggles

I just got my new custom color Aqua Sphere Kayenne goggles and absolutely LOVE them!!! The color was inspired by one of my favorite personalities/motorcycle racers, the great Valentino Rossi!