The Y has helped me get a lot better at swimming than I was before I came here.  Since I’ve been coming to the Y and swimming for Dynamo I’ve been swimming about seven or eight times a week. The Y really helped me get a lot better and stay in shape. 

I’m really stoked about the YMCA New England Championships this weekend.  I’ve been psyching myself out mentally, trying to get myself prepared for the meet.  I’m hoping to make it back for finals  for each of my events.

To prepare we pretty much just carbo-load three or four days before a competition. We eat pretty much everything we can, load up on calories and
carbohydrates days in advance, and then on the day of the meet we eat protein. 

Our Head Coach Brad Smith has done a really good job coaching us throughout the season.  You know, some things he had us do to prepare I really wasn’t quite sure on.  Like this taper we’ve been doing; pretty much you do less yardage, more sprints, with more rest, and in each day you drop more and more yardage.  
I didn’t really think it was going to work but it actually did, it helped me drop a lot of time.  Everybody on the team appreciates his dedication to helping us become stronger swimmers.

Nick Spaniel
Greater Burlington YMCA,
Dynamo Teammate, Member & Storyteller