Alaska swimming elevation training: Blog No. 3

January 3, 2013

University Relations

Jamie Foland
474-6807

The Alaska swim team trekked down to Flagstaff, Ariz., for its annual elevation training trip. This trip will prove to be vital for the success of the Nanooks later this season heading into the PCSC and NCAA Championship meets. The swimmers will provide blog updates every couple days from the Grand Canyon State.

The training trip will last from Dec. 28 until Jan. 12 when the Nanooks will fly to Vancouver to compete in a tri-meet against Simon Fraser and University of Puget Sound in Burnaby, B.C.

Today, in the third edition of the team's blog, sophomore Genevieve Johnson (Fresno, Calif./Fisheries & Biology) talks about the team's New Year's Day and the time off during training. The Nanooks resumed practice today from the Douglas A. Wall Aquatic Center at Northern Arizona University. Here is her account of the team bonding:

"The pool was closed for New Year's Day. So instead of practice, we took a trip to the Grand Canyon! As much as I love the water, it was nice to have a day off to enjoy some of the amazing things this area has to offer. We spent the day walking around, taking pictures, climbing trees, and peering off the edge of the canyon.

Then, we ended the day by watching Harry Potter in our nice big living room in front of the fireplace.  We've been watching one every night, and tonight is number four: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - my favorite!

I love having this opportunity to spend time with my teammates training hard, having fun, and making memories.  I know the team is ready to step up to the challenges we'll encounter during these next couple of weeks at altitude training, and I'm excited to see how this will help us improve later on in the season!"

You can also follow along with the Nanook swimmers on Facebook and Twitter!