Want to know why USA Swimming's men are so damn good? Want to know why they dominate the globe?
They train. Hard. Period.
World-class swimmers clearly have talent, but talent alone won't carry you through 400 meters (or yards) of every single stroke. You have to work at it. You have to suffer. In the 400 Individual Medley, the brutally painful decathlon of swimming, you can't ever ease up and glide or float.
I've always had a special appreciation for athletes who choose to swim the 400 IM, from Jeff Kostoff to Dave Wharton and Tom Dolan. I trained (at USA Swimming training camps) with these guys (the best during my time) and they made my jaw hang open. They killed themselves in practice, always going head to head with the best in all strokes.
In practice, people work hard at different times. I, for example, would sand-bag the breaststroke. I couldn't do it. I sucked. Breaststroke was my mini vacation within our 3-4 hour training sessions.
Right now, in the age of Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps who both dipped under the 400 IM world record in 2008, I think people take this feat for granted. "Ok, here's another medal opportunity, another race. Sure, it's a hard race, but one the athletes are genetically geared to..."
No, no, no. The 400 IM kills you. It works, and exhausts completely, every single muscle group. That Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte could come back and be competitive after such a torturous performance, speaks volumes about their years and years of conditioning and balls-to-the-wall work ethic.
If you had told me that this event, this gorgeous demonstration of brute strength, would have yet another star from the USA Swimming Team, I would've said: "I highly doubt it, but go ahead, you can dream."
Enter Tyler Clary, the sophomore from the University of Michigan. His 3.35.98 record at the NCAA Championships proves that I am happily wrong once again. Tyler Clary is USA Swimming's new hardass! This guy's our next generation of pure mean!
Everyone's talking about all the great swims from NCAAs. "Oh, did you see so-and-so's 50 split in the 200 Medley Relay? Or the 100 Fly? Or the 100 Breaststroke?"
Yes I did. And I am enormously inspired and impressed--
But none of those races holds a candle to Tyler Clary's 400 IM win, his 3.35.98.
***I had the honor of interviewing Tyler Clary at Short Course Nationals, December of 2008. He had just finished his 400 IM in a personal best swim. Check him out in this GMM debut vid:
Congratulations to Tyler's coach, Mike Bottom. The 1980 Olympian is a part of our swimming legacy, and now, unquestionably, ranked among our all-time greatest coaches. Bottom, famous for creating speed in swimmers, has shown that he can guide any athlete to success in any event.
If you haven't seen my new web talk show, GOLD MEDAL MINUTE, check them out here:
3-time Olympic Medalist, Megan Jendrick
Wow Tyler Clary used to swim for my club! It's amazing to see how far he has come over the last couple of years. I'm even more surprised he made it to the world champs in the 2 fly and 4 IM wow he is doing well for himself!
Posted by: Joe | July 10, 2009 at 01:13 PM
How did I manage to not read this blog until now??? Outstanding performance by Clary. Mel, you certainly did him justice with your piece. A Master's teamate of mine, who swims the 400 IM (as well as the 200 fly) had his then 8 or 9 year-old daughter at one of our meets. She was watching her dad swim the 400 IM. I sat with her, explaining to her how awesome the event is... how hard it is... that it is the mac daddy of swim events b/c you not only have to be proficient and strong in all 4 strokes, you have to be fast AND have endurance. It is like 4 sprints all piled together, one right after another. 100 fly, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 free. I am saying this for those fans of swimming out there, who are not necessarily swimmers themselves, but who love the sport nevertheless. Swimmers understand the demands of the 400 IM. The "problem" with guys like Clary or Phelps (if you can call it that) is they make the hardest swim event of all look so easy. I personally am impressed with those types of swimmers- the ones who make their events look effortless despite the blistering pace that they are swimming and despite the shear pain that their muscles are feeling and the burn within their lungs from all of that oxygen exchange. Really, anyone who takes on the 400 IM deserves props. It is like the Budweiser of swimming- it is kingly.
Posted by: Jessica Cole-Crawford | April 11, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Tyler featured today on USASwimming.org (link below). Interesting stuff. I have a feeling this guy could be 4:09-4:10 this summer, maybe faster. If Lochte doesn't swim it, Cseh is certainly the favorite for Rome, but Clary could get silver or bronze (don't count out hometown favorite and 2-time world medalist Luca Marin).
http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=1267&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en&ItemId=2417&mid=4153
Posted by: David2 | April 10, 2009 at 06:28 PM
ok
Posted by: sam | April 07, 2009 at 09:44 AM
In previous years, Lochte, always a 200 IM/200 Back guy, has had the 400 IM as his third event - now it's the 100 Back, partially evidenced by his 53.95 at a recent sectional meet in Florida. The race is Clary's to lose at nationals, but keep an eye on veteran Robert Margalis, and possibly also Eric Shanteau.
Posted by: David2 | March 31, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Yes, I know Phelps has been done with 400 IM. Lochte also indicated his intention of dropping it from his schedule. But my speculation at this stage is Lochte will still swim it this summer but drop it for good after Rome.
Posted by: MP Fan | March 30, 2009 at 08:28 PM
MP Fan, I think Phelps and Lochte may be done with the 400 IM. I don't know for sure, but it's a tough race... I think they'd like to focus on sprints more as they get older and stronger.... Tyler may be the last man standing the 4 IM....
Posted by: goldmedalmel | March 30, 2009 at 03:22 PM
After watching your interview with Tyler Clary last December, I started paying attention to him. He's had a great season and shown a lot of dedication and heart, especially the time he misjudged his turn in 200 back, hit his head on the wall, got DQ'd (and knew it) but still finished first...against no less a competitor than Rex Tullius of Florida. He's ready to pick up the 400 IM mantle for the US if Phelps and Lochte are truly ready to move on.
Posted by: Kris | March 30, 2009 at 08:41 AM
I think Clary's 400 IM record swim is one of the biggest surprise. As strong as Ryan Lochte in 400 IM short course (& of course long course) he can't break Phelps' record. But Clary could take out the race so fast & like 2 seconds below record pace after 200 yards (bear in mind how strong Phelps is in the 1st half of a 400 IM). Huge.
Posted by: MP Fan | March 29, 2009 at 10:20 PM