The Road to Nationals-Elizabeth Pelton
The Road to Nationals-Elizabeth Pelton
With the
2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships now just less than four months away, backstroke sensation
Elizabeth Pelton is training hard for the meet in Irvine, Calif. At only 16 years old, Pelton has already competed at a World Championships – placing sixth in the 200-meter backstroke in 2009 – and is training with Bob Bowman’s elite group at North Baltimore Aquatics Club (NBAC).
Swimnetwork caught up with the emerging phenom after her strong showing at the
Columbus Grand Prixwhere she took gold in the 100 and 200-meter backstrokes and 200-meter individual medley.
National Team Member: Elizabeth Pelton
Distance from the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships: 2,699 miles
Distance from the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships: 2,699 miles
How did you feel about your races at the Columbus Grand Prix, especially having just come off of a tough training camp in Chula Vista?
Elizabeth: I was really happy about the meet. We were going to just go in and swim our first long course meet, see how our swims went and figure out what we need to work on in training. I swam a lot better than I thought.
Elizabeth: I was really happy about the meet. We were going to just go in and swim our first long course meet, see how our swims went and figure out what we need to work on in training. I swam a lot better than I thought.
What kind of training are you focusing on right now?
Elizabeth: It’s really hard right now. We actually had the Chula Vista [National Team Training] camp right before the Ohio Grand Prix. We came back on a Monday from the camp and we left on a Wednesday for the meet. That was kind of hard. Every day is really tough right now, and the dryland is pretty tough too.
Elizabeth: It’s really hard right now. We actually had the Chula Vista [National Team Training] camp right before the Ohio Grand Prix. We came back on a Monday from the camp and we left on a Wednesday for the meet. That was kind of hard. Every day is really tough right now, and the dryland is pretty tough too.
What kind of dryland are you doing?
Elizabeth: We do weights and the core body stuff.
Elizabeth: We do weights and the core body stuff.
What are you looking forward to about Nationals this summer?
Elizabeth: This year I’ve really just had fun with swimming. I feel like it has helped a lot. So really, I’m preparing the best I can and then going into the meet, having a blast and seeing how it goes.
Elizabeth: This year I’ve really just had fun with swimming. I feel like it has helped a lot. So really, I’m preparing the best I can and then going into the meet, having a blast and seeing how it goes.
Do you have any general goals for the meet?
Elizabeth: The goal would be to go in and swim to the best of my ability and I guess we’ll see how that works out!
Elizabeth: The goal would be to go in and swim to the best of my ability and I guess we’ll see how that works out!
What meets do you have between now and August?
Elizabeth: Well, we definitely have the Charlotte UltraSwim and the NBAC June Meet. We may also do one that is out of the country, but I’m not sure about that.
Elizabeth: Well, we definitely have the Charlotte UltraSwim and the NBAC June Meet. We may also do one that is out of the country, but I’m not sure about that.
Do you have a favorite backstroke drill?
Elizabeth: I always do the single arm drill. That’s a good one.
Elizabeth: I always do the single arm drill. That’s a good one.
Speaking of favorites, do you have a favorite, perhaps or least favorite, road trip memory?
Elizabeth: Well, my family has definitely done the drive down to Florida. Twice. That may be my least favorite drive. It’s 24 hours in the car with three siblings.
Elizabeth: Well, my family has definitely done the drive down to Florida. Twice. That may be my least favorite drive. It’s 24 hours in the car with three siblings.
Did you play any road trip games along the way?
Elizabeth: I do remember we played the license plate game where you see if you can get all 50 states. I think we got 25 maybe.
Elizabeth: I do remember we played the license plate game where you see if you can get all 50 states. I think we got 25 maybe.
Do you have a road trip snack or playlist you would take with you?
Elizabeth: Well, I usually have my iPod set up so I have a mix that my sister and I make. And for a snack, we do always stop at Starbucks on the way down.
Elizabeth: Well, I usually have my iPod set up so I have a mix that my sister and I make. And for a snack, we do always stop at Starbucks on the way down.
If you could take a road trip anywhere and with anyone, where would you go and who would it be with?
Elizabeth: I have some really good friends at North Baltimore, so it would definitely be with them. We would probably go someplace hot and with a beach. Maybe Laguna Beach, California.
Elizabeth: I have some really good friends at North Baltimore, so it would definitely be with them. We would probably go someplace hot and with a beach. Maybe Laguna Beach, California.
How do you stay energized to compete each season?
Elizabeth: Definitely resetting each goal for each event, and then always looking for new ways to change up the training and to improve things in practice. I also try to think about the past year, which motivates me as well.
Elizabeth: Definitely resetting each goal for each event, and then always looking for new ways to change up the training and to improve things in practice. I also try to think about the past year, which motivates me as well.
How do you mentally prepare or stay focused when you are at a big meet?
Elizabeth: Usually it involves a lot of thinking about the meet a couple of weeks before. But once I actually get to the meet, I put my brain on autopilot because all of the preparation is done and I need to just swim when I get there.
Elizabeth: Usually it involves a lot of thinking about the meet a couple of weeks before. But once I actually get to the meet, I put my brain on autopilot because all of the preparation is done and I need to just swim when I get there.
