I am NOT a Morning Person, but My Schedule Would Make You Think Differently

I am so happy to have the opportunity to be in the water with my team again this summer, but I could do without the 5 AM wakeup call.

My teammates and I have decided to try and take a "timer picture" everyday that we have practice this summer. The picture above was our very first!

I never imagined I would look at waking up at 5 AM during the summer as an opportunity or a privilege, but I've come to realize it definitely is. A few weeks ago my club swim team and I received unfortunate news that all pools would be closed for the summer. This turn of events meant we would be out of the water for at least another three months. An even more upsetting realization I came to was that we would be away from my teammates for several more months.

Swimmers don't usually take time off, at least not two and a half months, but we had to during the Coronavirus lockdown. During quarantine everyone had to train on their own. This was fine for a little because I had assumed we would all be back together again soon. Before I knew it a few days turned into a week, a week turned into a month, and one month turned into almost three. The further we got from an "official return date," the more difficult training alone got. I missed the motivation, laughs, and atmosphere created by everyone in the water and on deck. My team did weekly zoom calls, but they didn't compare to being in the same room together. As things around town started to reopen, all I could think about was how this would be the first summer in years that I didn't get to practice and compete with my team.

Right before May faded into June, I was scrolling through my emails and saw one labeled "Swim Practices to Resume June 8th." My heart stopped, I reread the email subject, and went running downstairs to share the news. Knowing that I was going back to the pool with my friends and coaches created a feeling of relief and excitement. I read through the email and noticed our practice schedule was attached. Immediately after opening the attachment my mouth fell open.

Practices would run starting at 6 AM some days, 7 AM others, and 8 AM every once in a while. This was a jarring sight to see. Waking up at 5 in the morning is never fun for anyone, especially not for those who do not like the mornings. While I was sulking over the news of the early wake up call, I realized I had no reason to be upset. I was going to be back in the water with my teammates. I wouldn't need to train alone everyday. I was going to hear the bursts of laughter, blaring music, and splashing of water again. Being without all of those things for almost three months has made me appreciate every moment with my team so much more.

On Sunday June 7th, I set my alarms for 5:00 and 5:15 AM. When the alarm rang early on Monday I could not believe it was already time to get up. It had felt as though I had just fallen asleep, yet it was time to get up. The brightness of my screen was blinding. It was a shock that woke me up a little bit more. The shock motivated me to eventually pull myself out of bed and get ready to leave.

Outside I was met with darkness. I hadn't been up this early in a long time. Even though it was summer I felt like I was going off to school on an early December morning. I munched on my Peanut Butter Chocolate RXBAR in the car as I drove to my first practice in months. I followed the familiar, winding streets to the pool. There were barely any cars on the road. Essentially every car I'd seen was another athlete going to the same place as me.

I pulled into the pool parking lot, hitting all of the bumps and potholes that cover the steep, dark driveway, and saw a glorious sight--the smiling faces of my teammates. Finally I didn't see them over a screen, I saw them in person. I rushed out of the car to chat and catch up with everyone.

We picked up our conversations where we'd left off in March. It felt so nice to be back. None of us ever expected back in March that we wouldn't see each other until June. We didn't care that it was before 6:00 AM and that we were tired. We were finally together again, and that was all that mattered. We sat on the deck hockey rink next to the pool deck for a team meeting.

I looked around and saw what I had taken for granted for so long: my team, coaches, and swimming. It was amazing to see the rink covered with brightly covered yoga mats, bags, and equipment again. I will never be considered a morning person, but I will always be grateful for the opportunity to be with my team, even if it's before 6:00 AM.