Usually, people associate winter break with relaxation. As a high school student, I am given two weeks off from school. Many of my classmate will use this time to catch up on sleep, spend time with friends and family or maybe even go on a tropical vacation.

But not me.

My alarm resonates throughout my room at precisely 4:30am. I roll over and graze my hand over my nightstand, only to remember that I had slide my phone across the room the night before, to ensure I wouldn't turn it off and fall back asleep. I slowly rub my eyes and pull the warm sheets off of my legs. Knowing the light in the bathroom will hurt my eyes, I stumble into the bathroom and brush my teeth in the dark. Throwing my hair up into a messy ponytail, I trudge downstairs. After eating a quick breakfast, I grab my swim bag and head to the car.

There is not a single car in sight as my dad drives me to 5:30am practice. "If someone told me to jump off of a cliff, I would probably do it" my dad laughs, "but if someone told me to swim for three and a half hours at the crack of dawn, I would run the other way!" I smile at him as the car rolls into the Haverhill High School parking lot. Opening the car door, I walk into the pool, where my impeding doom awaits.

It is the last extended morning practice--no doubt we are about to get our butts kicked. Even at the sound of the chalk hitting the blackboard my body aches. And sure enough, the first line of our main set says it all: "1x 800IM RACE." The pit in my stomach makes me wish I was in bed, but as soon as the clock's red hand is on the 60, my feet leave the wall and the water rushes down my body. My arms burn after the first 25fly, but little do they know they have 31 more laps. Little do they know they still have three more hours to go after this short 800. Little do they know that this is only the first of two practices today, and they will be back at it once more tonight.

So, why would someone put herself through such a rigorous workout? Some people might say they like the social aspect. After all, a team who suffers together, stays together. Others might say they like the challenge, and the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the practice. But I think the most common reason many swimmers, as well as other athletes, dedicate all their time and strength to the pool is to reach their goals. To find success. Not only in competition, but in life. Success is not accomplished by taking time off. And if that means waking up early rather than late, then so be it. I find thriving for success satisfying--I find it fun. The holidays are a time to centralize the things you love, and I love to train.