The Road to Nationals-Nathan Adrian
The Road to Nationals-Nathan Adrian
Just days after returning to the water from his break following his second NCAA title in the 100-yard freestyle, National Teamer
Nathan Adrian spoke with Swimnetwork about his goals for the
2010 ConocoPhillips National Championshipsand his sprint training. The University of California, Berkeley sprinter is looking to defend a few more titles at the meet in Irvine having taken gold in both the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyles at least year’s event.
National Team Member: Nathan Adrian
Distance from the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships: 415 miles
Distance from the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships: 415 miles
After winning both the 50 and 100 free at the 2009 ConocoPhillips National Championships, what are your general goals for this year?
Nathan: Just to make another team in an individual event. It’s crazy how times are shaping up at this point and it’s tough to have a numerical goal considering there are no suits this year. It’s going to all be relative against the competition.
Nathan: Just to make another team in an individual event. It’s crazy how times are shaping up at this point and it’s tough to have a numerical goal considering there are no suits this year. It’s going to all be relative against the competition.
Now that NCAAs are over, what kind of training are you focusing on now?
Nathan: Well actually, I just got in the water on Monday (12th) and right now we’re focusing on getting back in shape. It is a lot of work in the weight room and we’re not just hitting the water and doing a lot of yardage, we’re also focusing on making sure that our technique is right and we’re starting off the season with good, basic fundamentals that will carry us through the rest of the year.
Nathan: Well actually, I just got in the water on Monday (12th) and right now we’re focusing on getting back in shape. It is a lot of work in the weight room and we’re not just hitting the water and doing a lot of yardage, we’re also focusing on making sure that our technique is right and we’re starting off the season with good, basic fundamentals that will carry us through the rest of the year.
You’ve been known to like to race – how you incorporate that mentality into your training?
Nathan: A couple days a week we have a session that is just dedicated to racing. It will be only 15 short sprints to see who can get their hand on the wall first in a 10-15 meter race, which is really awesome because when you do something like that you have to pay attention to detail. Outside of that just every day in practice if you’re focused and ready there is always going to be someone across the pool that is going fast too and you can always compare your time and try to swim against them.
Nathan: A couple days a week we have a session that is just dedicated to racing. It will be only 15 short sprints to see who can get their hand on the wall first in a 10-15 meter race, which is really awesome because when you do something like that you have to pay attention to detail. Outside of that just every day in practice if you’re focused and ready there is always going to be someone across the pool that is going fast too and you can always compare your time and try to swim against them.
Do you have a favorite freestyle drill?
Nathan: I have a couple. I like to slow everything down and put everything together piecewise. I’ll start off with some body position kick and from there move into a one arm drill. I also like to do a bit of underwater recovery and move that into a full stroke freestyle.
Nathan: I have a couple. I like to slow everything down and put everything together piecewise. I’ll start off with some body position kick and from there move into a one arm drill. I also like to do a bit of underwater recovery and move that into a full stroke freestyle.
How do you mentally prepare for a meet like Nationals?
Nathan: You know, throughout the years it has started to take care of itself. I go in there excited and ready to race guys that I may not have gotten to race during the college season. It’s really just an excitement factor and try to qualify for [an international] meet at the end of the year.
Nathan: You know, throughout the years it has started to take care of itself. I go in there excited and ready to race guys that I may not have gotten to race during the college season. It’s really just an excitement factor and try to qualify for [an international] meet at the end of the year.
Do you have a favorite swimming road trip memory?
Nathan: That’s tough and it’s hard to pick just one. I just enjoy spending time with teammates, be it on the National Team or my college team. I’m always roommates with Matt Grevers on the National Team and I think we have some of the most fun on those trips. I really enjoy hanging out with him. It’s just kind of the experiences along the way, like with my college team where it is 17 other guys that are my age and doing the same thing. So it’s tough to choose one.
Nathan: That’s tough and it’s hard to pick just one. I just enjoy spending time with teammates, be it on the National Team or my college team. I’m always roommates with Matt Grevers on the National Team and I think we have some of the most fun on those trips. I really enjoy hanging out with him. It’s just kind of the experiences along the way, like with my college team where it is 17 other guys that are my age and doing the same thing. So it’s tough to choose one.
Did you ever play any road trip games?
Nathan: (Laughs) No, not really. At a meet like Nationals we do have room competitions so whatever room scores the most points between the two people in the room, wins. There is always the issue of whether you count relays. (Laughs)
Nathan: (Laughs) No, not really. At a meet like Nationals we do have room competitions so whatever room scores the most points between the two people in the room, wins. There is always the issue of whether you count relays. (Laughs)
If you had to go for a long drive, is there any snacks you would take with you?
Nathan: I guess my normal snack is trail mix. I have to be eating throughout the entire day. When we’re in training I have to keep a Ziploc bag of trail mix with me in my backpack.
Nathan: I guess my normal snack is trail mix. I have to be eating throughout the entire day. When we’re in training I have to keep a Ziploc bag of trail mix with me in my backpack.
What kind of trail mix do you like?
Nathan: I actually just go with whatever Trader Joes has. There are tons of different types. There’s a really good honey roasted one with pecans and, while that’s tasty, there are also the healthy ones with dried fruits. It really depends on whether or not I can curb my cravings.
Nathan: I actually just go with whatever Trader Joes has. There are tons of different types. There’s a really good honey roasted one with pecans and, while that’s tasty, there are also the healthy ones with dried fruits. It really depends on whether or not I can curb my cravings.
How do you stay energized to compete each season?
Nathan: It’s always so exciting and so much fun. You get to compare yourself against other people who may be doing different things and see how the things that you are doing are working and how the things that they are doing are working. The long course season is always really exciting because there is the prospect of an international competition. I think that is one of the most fun types of competition because you don’t get to race those people all the time. It’s your one shot, one opportunity to race and beat them so that keeps it exciting.
Nathan: It’s always so exciting and so much fun. You get to compare yourself against other people who may be doing different things and see how the things that you are doing are working and how the things that they are doing are working. The long course season is always really exciting because there is the prospect of an international competition. I think that is one of the most fun types of competition because you don’t get to race those people all the time. It’s your one shot, one opportunity to race and beat them so that keeps it exciting.
What are you looking forward to about the meet in Irvine?
Nathan: I’m looking forward to it being in our time zone! Being in California is always cool; I really like the Irvine pool. Other than that, I’m looking forward to going down there to compete and being with my teammates.
Nathan: I’m looking forward to it being in our time zone! Being in California is always cool; I really like the Irvine pool. Other than that, I’m looking forward to going down there to compete and being with my teammates.
