I just try to stick to the same routine and that seems to helps keep my nerves at bay.

I think it’s more exciting to swim against foreigners mainly because I have fewer opportunities to do so.

It’s hard at times to deal with the pressures of swimming. Before the Olympics, I was in commercials promoting the Games before I even made the team! That definitely created a lot of pressure. Luckily I have great coaches and friends that keep me grounded. Plus as I get older I realize more and more that I’m swimming because it makes me happy, not because of external pressures.

I really don’t have to do anything unique to ”pump” myself up before a race. Since I don’t compete in college anymore, I have a lot less opportunities to race. I enjoy every opportunity that I get.

I’m not doing anything special to prepare for Beijing other than train really hard and a lot.