Jan. 9, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri men's swimming and diving team headed to Phoenix, Ariz., this past week for its annual training trip. The team not only plans to spend a good deal of quality time in the pool, but also looks to get out and enjoy all that Arizona's capital city has to offer. Providing a glimpse of the Tigers' time spent in the Grand Canyon State is senior Brandon Lee in a daily journal.
Tuesday
Today began with a practice around 7 a.m., so we left the hotel at 6:20. This morning was probably the coldest morning we had experienced the whole time we've been in Arizona. The temperature was around 40 degrees. It was rainy but still very cold when all you have on is a swimsuit. We arrived at the pool to see a huge cloud of steam coming off the pool. Most of the team had never seen anything like it before. The pool water was warm and very inviting, but the outside air wasn't at all. As we jumped in and started turning the water, the steam rose and the visibility was about 8 feet. The steam probably came off the pool 10 to 12 feet, making it hard for the coaches to see any of us while we swam. After the morning practice we headed back to the hotel to warm up and eat. Most people went back to bed, but some ventured on a hike with Coach Stefanie and Pat. There were probably about 10 to 12 kids who went on the hike. I didn't go, but my freshman year I went on the same hike so I knew what I missing. They went to Camel Back Mountain. Let me tell you, it has an amazing view of Phoenix when you get to the top, but it is no easy task getting there. Camel Back is a treacherous hike and pretty much straight up. At times you have to climb on your hands and feet just to make it, but once you do the view is worth it. By the time they finished the hike and arrived back at the hotel it was time to go back to the pool for the second practice of the day. This was the main practice of the day and the last hard one of training trip. Everyone did very well on the different sets and the weather was perfect: Sunny and blue skies.
Wednesday
This morning we headed to the pool around 6 a.m. for a little weight training before we swam. Today's practice was a recovery practice for everyone but the seniors. During the annual training trip, the seniors have the privilege of doing a get out swim. The coaches warm up the team and then they come up with times for each individual senior that we have to make in order to get the whole team out of practice early. If a certain percent make the times then we're out, but if not we have another set. Then the juniors get a chance to make it. This year the senior class stepped up really well and made all of the times. Everyone got behind us and we put our senior leadership on display. The team was rewarded with an early ending and the 2008 Arizona training trip had come to an end. It was quite a relief for me and many other kids on the team. All in all, everyone got better and the team grew closer.