In this compelling interview, Allison Hayden, a 53 year old multi-national champion swimmer with the St. Pete Masters, shares her journey and triumphs as a versatile athlete excelling in multiple disciplines. Known for her prowess in the 200 butterfly and middle-distance freestyle, Allison dives into her unique training regimen, discussing the mental challenges of training alone in the Maine winter and her approach to maintaining motivation.

Allison’s swimming story is as multifaceted as her strokes. From her college career at UNC Wilmington, where she studied marine biology and trained alongside future Olympic coach Todd DeSorbo, to her post-college transition as a professional triathlete and open-water swimmer, she has consistently pushed boundaries. A defining chapter of her journey includes swimming with a college club team at age 34 while coaching and training alongside younger athletes, proving age is no barrier to high performance. Her passion for open-water swimming shines, with her favorite event being the 10K, a challenge she embraces for its mental and physical demands.

Top 5 Questions Answered in the Interview

1. How do you win a high-point award at a meet?
   
   
2. What’s the secret to training alone and staying motivated?
   
   
3. Is it possible to train effectively in unconventional settings, like a small pool or alone at sea on a ship?
   
   
4. How can a swimmer transition between sports or stages of life and maintain peak performance?
   
   
5. What draws swimmers to open water events, and why is the 10K Allison’s favorite?
   
   

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