Spring Break: A Mix of Relaxation, Challenges, and Perseverance - Week 28
Spring break was a much-needed pause from the usual routine of school and structured practices. While I still trained, it was on my own terms, following the workouts from my home club. That was a refreshing change—I got to focus on swimming in a way that felt more familiar and less restrictive. It also brought back a sense of comfort, reminding me of the training I used to do before coming to the U.S.
Monday was a highlight of the break. I visited a nearby park, and it was surprisingly beautiful. I think a lot of people overlook the natural scenery here, but it has its own unique charm. The rolling hills, the trees just starting to shift towards spring—it was nice to take a step back and appreciate my surroundings.
Tuesday was quite the experience. I got the chance to explore some coal mines and see the impact of mining firsthand. The amount of slag product being left behind was honestly sad to see—it’s a reminder of how much the environment can suffer from a industry. Still, the experience was eye-opening and something I wouldn’t have thought to do otherwise. I went with a group from Boston College, which was a fun experience. Later in the day, I went to Cabela’s with our priest and two other students from Wheeling. It was an interesting trip—Cabela’s is such a unique place.
The rest of the week was more relaxed. I focused on recovery, getting in some good training sessions, going to the gym, and just spending time with friends. Nothing particularly eventful happened, but it was nice to just enjoy the time off without feeling rushed.
That being said, my swim sessions were both rewarding and frustrating. The workouts themselves were great, and I was able to train with a few other swimmers who stayed on campus over break. They really enjoyed the sessions, and the feedback from them was positive. However, just getting access to the pool was a struggle. Apparently, I wasn’t allowed to swim unless there was a lifeguard on deck, which became a huge obstacle. I spent the week talking to security, faculty, and just about anyone I could find who had the power to let me in. It felt like I was constantly being sent in circles—one person would tell me one thing, and another would give a completely different answer.
Originally, the rule was that I simply couldn’t swim alone, which made sense. So I started bringing a friend with me to join. But then, out of nowhere, they changed it so that I needed a certified lifeguard present, which made things much harder. Finding someone available wasn’t easy, and it felt a bit unfair considering that before, just having a second person was enough. It turned into a whole battle of persistence, but in the end, I managed to get permission to swim.
Overall, spring break was a mix of relaxation and challenges. It was great to train in a way that reminded me of home, and I enjoyed having more free time to do things outside of my usual schedule. The pool situation was a hassle, but I guess it was just another lesson in perseverance. Now, with break coming to an end, I’m getting ready to shift back into my normal routine, hopefully feeling a little more refreshed and ready for the rest of the semester.
