It’s Thursday morning…a little before 5:45am…Both Masters Swim and Triathlon Cycle workouts have started. The atmosphere and energy around is still a little foggy as the early morning devotees just begin to get the cobwebs out from a night of rest.
Within fifteen minutes, however, the indoor gym at Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy is rocking to the sound of medicine balls hitting the wall and classic rock blasting on the speaker. The other sessions are now well into their warm-up and the 6:00am group Strength and Conditioning class has just started. Among today’s attendees? The Mother/Daughter duo of Emily and Hannah Erington. For the next hour, they will row, sprint, lift and slam their way to strength and fitness side by side. As their energy increases, so, too, does the energy of the athletes that surround them. By the end of that hour, the morning fog has given way to an endorphin buzz and the Erington duo embraces in post-workout pride.
That’s what a typical morning feels like at Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy when athletes are working with each other to be their best. It’s a rare treat to see Mother and Daughter working so hard together, which is why we’re honored to spotlight this dynamic duo.
“I definitely want t
o be the Mom who teaches by example,” says Emily, “But, honestly, we’re constantly learning from and encouraging each other.” These two are all about improving their bodies along with their skills both in and out of the pool About two months ago, Emily, who swims on the Academy Masters squad, added two days of strength training to her 4-time-per week swimming regime. Not long after, Hannah also joined the group fitness classes to supplement her rigorous swimming schedule. She currently swims for a local club team as well as on Bowie High School team. “Strength training is so vital to what you do in the water,” they both agree. “It keeps your body open and long, especially when you start to get tired.” Plus, the three-dimensional core work we do activates all the same muscles you recruit in your swim strokes. In essence, you start to get the feel for how your body is connected, which improves your overall feel in the water.
Emily will tell you that she has never felt stronger and Hannah is excited to test her recent efforts at an upcoming swim meet.
While they may not swim side-by-side on a daily basis, they do both love the water. Hannah, who played soccer for several years, loves swimming because it makes her a more versatile athlete. Emily came to swimming just two years ago after a hip surgery left her unable to run. “I’m learning how to have a swimmer’s brain,” she admits. Both swimming and strength work require a tremendous amount of mental fortitude, which can be scary. So, too, does the idea of eventually swimming in a Masters Swim Meet, which is Emily’s goal. It’s definitely one of those, “Do something that scares you” things she wants to tackle.
The great thing about their shared passion for swimming and strength work is that they also get to compare notes. “Somedays we’ll talk about our workouts with each other and know whether it was a super tough day for each other,” said Hannah. Adds Emily, “Now I understand what she goes through during practices and meets since I’m also in the pool on a regular basis. I know what she’s doing is really, really hard and I have such a great appreciation for it.”
They also appreciate the support and coaching they get at Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy. “Every coach treats the athletes with equal respect regardless of level,” notes Emily. “There is no difference in their commitment to you whether you’re a newbie or an elite athlete.”
In fact, some of the most memorable advice came from Coach Brendan Hansen on the pool deck. He’ll tell Emily to “stay in it.” When you want to quit, change your interval, or even give yourself a little more rest, don’t. Stay in it. It’s advice she thinks about every time she hops in the pool for a session.
Well, we’re honored to have both Emily and Hannah here at the Academy seeking continuous improvement and we hope you “stay in it” for years to come!
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