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More about Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin has a really good swimming profile. However when I think about Coughlin something better comes to my mind. It’s a story my coach told me in high school. Let me tell you a short story that will make you want to watch Coughlin on TV.

Coughlin was probably the greatest NCAA female swimmer in the history. In NCAA, athletes get four years, each year having a maximum of 3 individual events that they can compete in.

Well Coughlin in 3 years, every time she raced broke a record. Whether an NCAA record or just a pool record, she broke it every time. Coughlin, at her NCAAs Senior year won 2 of her individual events with records, of course, and had one more race the 200 backstroke to go. Coughlin in the event was in the lead till about the last 25 (last length) and she lost. It’s one of those “what happen to her???” moments. She did not get 2^nd but 3^rd losing to current WR holder Margaret Hoelzer, and former WR holder till 2008, Kristy Coventry.

It was the worst race ever for her, bringing to an end almost winning 12 individual events, the maximum possible.

Well the story doesn’t end there. That night Coughlin came back in the relay and broke the 100 free style NCAA record going first in the relay (First person gets official time in the relay) which was not one of her strokes that she had ever swam individually. Wow"

So what was the lesson my coach gave me? He says, “every time you step up on the block, it’s a new opportunity”. It's in everything we do in life. How many times do we say “man I screwed up, I've been doing so well but why bother now” or “I did bad in this so I’m just gonna give up”.

Well every time we get that chance to step up, it’s a new opportunity to make it happen, the way you want it to be.

That's the lesson I learned from Coughlin.

Guest Blogger - Micah Belew