"Ask Natalie"

Do you think you will ever swim the 200 IM in international competition?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:17:19 +0000

I probably won’t swim the 200 IM anytime soon. As it is, I have a problem balancing the events that I do swim (50/100/200 free, 100 back, 100 fly, relays…) My first major international competition was the 1999 Pan Pacific Games in Sydney, Australia. The only event that I competed in was the 200 IM and after semi’s I was in 8th place. Since I was the third American swimmer, however, I did not advance to finals.

What type of music gets you fired up before a swim meet?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:15:46 +0000

I like all types of music, but I usually don’t listen to my iPod at the actual meet. I think that it’s a good idea to “stay in the moment” and socialize with my teammates around me.

What do you do to keep yourself relaxed before a huge event?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:14:36 +0000

I try to remind myself of all the hard work that I have put in throughout the year, and that usually calms any nerves.

What sort of training do you do coming up to an international meet?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:13:46 +0000

Other than taper, I really don’t do anything special in training before a major international competition.

If you could travel anywhere in the World to compete, where would you go?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:12:28 +0000

Sydney, Australia

Is it hard swimming in a different country where you don’t know the language very well?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:11:00 +0000

Not at all! I love experiencing new cultures. Traveling to new and interesting places is probably one of the best perks of swimming! I always learn how to say “I’m sorry” and “thank you” in whatever country I’m in. I can say those in Greek, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, Tagalog, Croatian, Portuguese and English. You would be amazed at how useful those phrases can be!

Is it hard to get in the swing of things when you travel from the US to a foreign country?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:08:48 +0000

No.

What do you eat when you go abroad for international competitions?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:07:21 +0000

You do have to be really careful when eating in other countries. Our immune systems can get overwhelmed with travel and you don’t want to make it any worse by trying to much exotic food that your body isn’t used to. My favorite “food” place was Japan. After the meet I ate so much sashimi, it was amazing!

What is your best stroke in an international meet?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:05:54 +0000

Backstroke tends to be my best stroke at international meets, although sometimes it is freestyle.

What international meet have you done the best at?

asknatalie — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:04:21 +0000

My best international meet was probably Pan Pacifics in 2002.