An Interview with Bethany Flemington

News date: 09/20/2009

How long have you been swimming?  When and Why?
This year I will be going into my seventh year with the Marlins. I started when I was twelve after deciding that I didn’t want to dance anymore, and I wanted to try something new. I had always enjoyed swimming and had taken some swim school programs when I was younger…so I decided that swimming would be a fun activity to try.

You recently broke club records in the free and butterfly.  Which is your favourite stroke? What stroke is your “weakest”?
I enjoy racing freestyle and backstroke, although I hate training my freestyle in workout. I would have to say that my breastroke is my worst stroke by far…I can’t get the timing right no matter how hard I try.

You spend a lot of time at the pool. What do you do in your spare time and is it hard to fit everything in?
Hmm... I don’t even think I have spare time. I work on Sunday’s and during the week I usually focus on swimming and getting as much school work as I can completed. It’s definitely hard to fit everything in if you want to have a social life, but I acknowledge that swimming is my ultimate priority so I don’t really worry about going out.

Name one athlete you see as a role model, and why? OR Who is your swimming idol, and why?
There are a lot of great athletes out there today, but I would have to say that I admire Dara Torres. She competed at the age of 41 in her fifth Olympics in Beijing winning a silver medal in the 50 Free. Even after having a child, she still realized her potential and wanted to make a comeback. She made a goal and followed it with a plan in order to make her dreams come true, which to me, is a quality that I wish to acquire throughout my swimming years.

It’s really important for our junior swimmers to hear about your accomplishments. If you were to give a pep talk to some of Kendra’s Junior Competitive swimmers, what would you tell them?
Well this might sound stereo-typical but, NEVER GIVE UP. In swimming there comes a point where you will stop growing. The only way to improve your times is through hard work. This transition is sometimes really difficult; you can go for months without making best times. I know myself… I made a huge best time in 100 free Long Course in July of 2007. I did not make a best time until Age Group International which was in June of this year…23 months. You have to keep pushing through even when it’s not easy. You can’t always expect to make best times, which is something I still struggle with but am realizing is extremely important. Keep a positive attitude, trust your coach, and train hard… success will come when you are ready.

What have you learned about yourself through swimming?
Swimming has allowed me to realize that I am extremely demanding on my own body. I always want to be making best times; I always want to be improving in any sense. It has shown me the importance of dedication and allowed me to experience the importance of hard work.

What are some of your favorite and least favourite memories from swim meets?
There are so many memories it is hard to be specific. I would have to say a lot of my worst memories are when I am fighting with my coaches about kick outs or breathing off the walls…really, any technical aspect of the race. Although, they are always right… It seems that being stubborn is my initial response. My favorite memories being recently, would include short course provincials; winning a medal in our 4 by 50 IM relay and finally making a best time in my 100 free long course at AGI.

What is your favorite set?
I have two

36x50’s (6 rounds of 6)        or         20x50’s (all out on 2 min.)
1 easy
1 fast
2 easy
1 build
1 fast

What is your least favorite set?
The “800” IM set
800 IM
8x100’s fly
800 IM
8x100’s back
800 IM
8x100’s breast
800 IM
8x100’s free

What are your swimming goals for the 2009 - 2010 season?
I haven’t made any specific race goals yet, Although next year I would like to Medal at CI’s and make some sort of International tour team.

Now that you are moving from your home in Puslinch to Guelph to attend the University of Guelph, what will be some of the challenges you’ll face?
The most difficult thing for me I think will be maintaining a balanced diet. I have to make sure I get enough protein throughout the day. I also think the transition from high school to University will be more challenging then it’s made out to be. I have to make sure I am on top of all school work all the time.

Last year you attended Olympic trials in Montreal. If we could overhear the music that you were listening to before one of your swims, what song would be playing?
Well…my music really changes all the time… But I think before a lot of my races then I listened to Get Free by The Vines.