Roberto’s Racing Line Blog - June 2012
JUNE 2012
As the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games continues, our swimmers will be commencing their final preparations in the pool. With eight weeks to go before I compete at my first Olympics, I had two competitions and a whole chunk of training to do.
Firstly, on the 2nd and 3rd of June, I raced at the Barcelona leg of the Mare Nostrum tour. This is a circuit comprised of three competitions over an eight day period in Barcelona, Canet and Monaco.
Because of its prize money (something of a rarity in swimming!), the tour always attracts elite swimmers from all over the world.
I competed in the 200m Butterfly and the 400m Individual Medley – the events I will be swimming at the Games – for a chance to see how my preparation was coming along, and to highlight any tweaks that need to be made before I race in London.
Because of the prize money, it attracts elite swimmers from all over the world.
I swam better than expected, winning a silver and a bronze medal, as well as picking up my first ever monetary prizes in my twelve year career!
After racing, with cash in hand, my friends and I went for traditional seafood paella on the beautiful waterfront. The perks of travelling!
My next racing commitment were at the ASA Nationals in Sheffield, which double up as the second Olympic Trials for those who missed the qualifying standard in March.
For me, the racing was again about practising race technique and performing well under heavy training. Unfortunately there was no prize money on offer this time!
In between racing, I am continually training hard and aiming to perfect my strokes, starts, turns and finishes to ensure the fine points of my races are up to scratch.
The racing was about practising technique and performing well under heavy training.
About three weeks before my first race (28th July), I will gradually decrease my training intensity and volume in order to allow my body to recover. During this period I will be doing a lot of skill based swimming, as well as some short speed based sessions.
All of which will help prepare me for the challenge of the Olympics.
