To be successful, you've got to pay a price.
According to Michigan coach Jim Richardson, the price of success in collegiate swimming is looking bad at some meets during the season to prepare to be fast at the end.
"I'm more concerned about our training and preparation than about backing off to look good on a weekend that doesn't mean anything," Richardson said. "The price you pay (for success) is that you don't look as good on a Saturday when you race."
Because the Wolverines are not as talented this year as they have been in the past, it is especially important that they push themselves in their training.
"It comes down to discipline; it comes down to sacrifice; it comes down to work ethic," Richardson said.
"The people we have are going to have to swim faster than they ever have in their life. To do that you have to do something extra (in training)."
With respect to team discipline and work ethic, the example set by more experienced swimmers has been important.
"I think the seniors are pretty steady (examples) because they've been there," Richardson said.
Weekend of rest: After a grueling training trip to California, and three meets against top-20 teams, the Michigan women's swimming team finally got a chance to spend a weekend the way most college students do - resting.
The Wolverines took advantage of their first off weekend since the holidays to finally get the rest they desperately needed.
"We needed (rest) badly," Richardson said. "We're starting to get better now. It's probably true for 80 percent of the team. We've still got a couple of people who are still just a little bit stale coming out of Christmas training."
Among those cited by Richardson as having benefitted from the week off were Anne Kampfe, Taylor Bendel and Shannon Shakespeare.
With the additional rest, Richardson hopes that all three will be back to swimming their normal mid-season times Saturday against Notre Dame and Michigan.
Losing streak: In the past month, Michigan has lost three straight dual meets to No. 1 Stanford, No. 18 California and No. 3 Georgia.
Despite the losses, Richardson isn't worried. Last season, the Wolverines lost consecutive meets to Southern Cal, Alabama and Auburn but finished first at the Big Ten championship and third at the NCAA championship.
"This weekend last season, we swam against Alabama and Auburn, and we lost to both of them," Richardson said.
"I don't think either Alabama or Auburn finished in the top 10 in the NCAAs."
In sickness, not in health: During the winter in Michigan, having a cold or the flu is almost unavoidable.
Swimmers are not immune. This week, several Wolverines were hampered by illness.
"We've had probably two cases of the classic flu," Richardson said. "We've also had some assorted cold viruses lasting not more than two or three days."
Anne Kampfe and Linda Riker were especially hard hit. Kampfe is getting over the flu and should be ready to swim Saturday.
Riker, however, is still sick and may not recover in time to swim this weekend.