Mari Rabie

"What doesn't kill you today will kill you tomorrow"... This is how the distance swimmers in my squad have changed the old saying"What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger".

I guess when you suffer with some others a special kind of understanding and bond develops between you. Heerden Herman, Heinrich Dahms and Marnitz du Plessis has not only made swimming fun the last couple of weeks, but also unknowningly been an inspiration to me everyday.
I am lucky to be swimming the distance sets with these boys, ok maybe not with them but at least in the same lane as they lap me about every 350m!
But they have become awesome training partners that likes hassling me, encouraging me and just making the metres fly by. Heerden is Stellenbosch's Swimming superstar!I have had the privilege to see this intelligent kid not only develops a swimmer but also as a person and follow his career with great interest.Heerden is only 17 but probably one of the most edicated, focused athletes I know.I suppose that in a way Heerden is one of my sporting heroes. He finished 2nd in the 1500m in 15.17.31  at the South African National Swimming Championships in April this year, missing
the qualifying time for the Beijing Olympics with 4 seconds...on a 1500m that is 0.1333seconds per 50m to slow.So close. I am sad for him not making it, but he has the right attitude and surely will be on

Heerden with his gold at regional openwater Champs 2007 those starting blocks in London 2012,
if he keeps up his hard work.He is also super bright, being the top academic in his class at Paul Roos Gymnasium, which is probably one of the Top academic Boys schools in the country. It will be great to be able to be in the same Olympic team in 2012!

 Heinrich Dahms is one of South Africa's top surf lifesaving swimmers and behind Heerden the second fastest 1500m swimmer
in the Western Cape.  Heinrich's smiley swimming cap says a lot about his attitude.  This kid is always cracking jokes
even when the going gets tough...although I must say he did chicken out of yesterday's ice bath session, but then again
torturing yourself to sit in 6 degree water is a bit mental anyway.  I have loads of respect for Heinrich to combine
his first year studies with his swimming, because so many kids sporting careers suffer once they start studying.

Marnitz du Plessis is most likely one of the most talented sprinters in South Africa, he is still super young, but so so talented that I am sure if he really wanted to and put in the hard work he can swim right up there with the big boys in a few years.  Marnitz is also super brainy, I mean how many kids gets 95% for their Chemistry at university?  Marnitz loves playing tricks on me and I fall for it time after time.I was well impressed with him swimming the distance sets and not complaining, being a sprinter and all.

I want to thanks the boys for making swimming fun again and for allowing me to tag along behind them!You guys are brilliant training partners
and truly inspirational, thanks for just being you..."What doesn't kill you today...