Swimming shape

Continued from C3 bohydrates before meets so they can exert consistent energy to finish a race.

One of the most important parts of having quality nutrition is what it provides in the recovery stage of swimming. High school swimmers are swimming anywhere from 3,800-4,000 yards during the peak season, so they need to fill their body with food quickly after leaving the pool so their muscles can recover, Landon said.

“They are going through calories faster than they can put them in,” Landon said. “So it is making sure they are getting high protein so their muscles can repair especially right after a workout.”

Landon said while there is not a set diet, she wants her swimmers to be mindful of what they put into their bodies.

“I just want them to be thoughtful about what they are eating,” Landon said. “Their metabolisms are so fast and I don’t want them to be so hypersensitive that they are like, ‘oh I feel guilty about eating this.’”

Besides for the love of swim, some people join swim team with the intention of getting into shape or staying in shape for their other high school sports. Landon said she frequently sees cross-country athletes compete in swimming to stay in shape for their running season.

On the season, Landon said she is so proud and grateful for her time as a swim coach and what they have created at Ferndale.

“Swimming is so important to me, so important to our community, and to be able to have that representation feels good,” she said. “We are proud of them.”

-- Contact Nathan Schumock at nathan@lyndentribune.com.