For 5 days;

 I labored relentlessly,

I was a slave to the whistle of a ruthless woman,

I forced food down my throat to fuel my body,

preparing for endless tourture. 

For 4 days;

Every minute seemed to drag on and blend with the next, 

every muscle in my weakened body burned with each tiny movement,

every breath seemed to sucked a piece of my soul from my lungs.

For 3 days;

My head felt like a ticking time bomb,

 painfully throbbing with every thought my mind conjured.

For 2 days;

The tears of my discouraged teammates flowed endlessly, 

pouring out in heavy, salty waves. 

For 1 day;

My heart skipped a beat as my eyes slowly read over the disgusting workout.

For 5 never ending days;

My teammates and I trained in the worst and most difficult conditions known to swimmers across the world. 

Each day was a mental struggle, challenging us to push beyond human limits.

Each day was an extraordinary journey exploring our minds, bodies, and hearts.

Each day I was thankful for this one-of-a-kind opportunity given to me.

Each day I was filled with rage that I had to destroy myself for a two minute race.

Each day I spent at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs felt like a never ending dream and an everlasting nightmare.

Each day I wish I could experience everything all over again.