The team traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica this year for our annual training trip. The trip was amazing and everyone had a great time. Amidst lots of training (9,000-10,000 meters a day) the girls had time to lay out by the hotel pool, walk to the nearby bakery and McDonalds for treats, nap on the rainy days, and become a closer team. The girls also got to choose an excursion for their day off while we were there. The majority chose to go into the rain forest on a canopy tour, which consisted of ziplining from platform to platform through the rain forest. The rest of the team went white water rafting for an extra workout. Both groups had an amazing time and enjoyed a break from the pool!
Another highlight of the trip was meeting so many wonderful Costa Rican swimmers, coaches, and parents. They were so honored to have us training at their pools and wanted to learn as much as they could from us while we are there. Following our meet with Ursinus College from Pennsylvania both myself and Ursinus's head coach stayed to do a coaching clinic with the swimmers and coaches from the Guadaloupe team. The clinic consisted of them asking us lots of questions about our training methods. Everyone was so nice and it was really hard to say goodbye to them on our last day there.
View from the airplane flying in to Costa Rica
Jumbo Burgers from Soda Tapia, definitely a team favorite!
Captain Kelley Holmes learning how to pick coffee beans
Canopy Group about to head off into the rain forest
First run on the canopy tour
Costa Rican swimmers and coaches from our Guadaloupe Pool
Our team with the Guadaloupe morning swimmers
Morning practice pool ~ indoors and 25 meters long
Evening practice pool ~ outdoors and 50 meters long
Our team bus with our driver and JuanOn our last night of practice the team is allowed to pick their own activities to make up the workout. Above is a video of them playing Birdie on a Perch. Luckily it didn't get too violent!
