Q and A with Mark Gangloff

Here's the first of what I hope will be a series of short Q and A's with some of our favorite swimmers. I decided to start with Breaststrokers and work my way through the disciplines (we'll see how it actually unfolds ;).


Photo compliments of the amazing Peter Bick

Mark Gangloff is one of our top American breaststrokers and is certainly a favorite for one of our Olympic slots in the 100 Breaststroke. He's the 2007 National Silver medalist and is inching ever so close to that one minute barrier. After a 4th place finish in Athens you've got to consider him a medal favorite for China so I thought it would be interesting to hear how his training is going and how he feels about his summer results...

1. Congrats on a great Nationals performance this year and a PB in the 100. You seem to be at a great place with your training. Do you attribute it to your move to Mecklenburg? What have been the biggest differences for you between training at Auburn, Michigan and now Mecklenburg?

Let me start by saying thanks for this opportunity to speak with you. I am very happy with my results from this summer. My PB is actually from the semi finals from the Pan American Games in July (1:00.24). But I was also very excited to have gone 1:00.43 at Nationals swimming next to Brendan. I think my move to Charlotte has made a big difference in my attitude and in my training. The families involved with Mecklenburg are very supportive and fun to be around. It is a little different to be around younger swimmers than the college age students at Auburn. (I never trained at Michigan) The young kids are very fun to be around and I am actually helping coach some of the age groupers here at MAC. It has been exciting working with the age groupers because I always see so much potential for each of the kids. I think that each of them can become great people and much faster swimmers. Also working with my college coach David Marsh is different. He seems much more relaxed and focused when he is on deck. I have a much greater respect for how hard he works and how good he is at his job now that I have started coaching.

2. You've had a lot of changes since the last Olympic year. Not only are you a college graduate, and a movie star, but now a married man as well. How have these changes affected your training? Is it more or less challenging now than it was 4 years ago? (and not just because of those two changes, but also with regard to being older? more experienced?)

You are right there has been so many changes in my life since the last Olympics but the last year has been the busiest that I have ever been. Even though I am busier now than I was before I think that I have gotten much better at allocating my time. I cannot waste as much time watching TV and playing around online as I used to. I consider swimming my job and take it very seriously. But to answer your question I do not think my training has been affected too much even though my life outside the pool has changed. Being an Olympic year I think that training is easier that in previous year. I do not mean that the training itself is easier but rather because the Olympics is so close I do not mind going into the pool because there is a clear goal in mind and that makes going to workout fun

3. What were your feelings regarding the addition of the dolphin kick before it was legalized and what are they now? Do you feel it's something that works well with your technique or has it made little difference for you?

I am very glad that the dolphin kick was legalized and I am still happy about the decision to make it legal. I felt that before the legalization of the kick that people did it any way. I can remember going to many competitions that the majority of people swimming breaststroke did the dolphin kick even though it was not legal. I have made a few changes to my pullout to make the dolphin kick more effective but it was not a difficult transition for me.

4. What is your junk food Achilles' heel? The one food that you know you should avoid but you just can't help yourself. (Not that we would ever pass that info on to Brendan so he could tempt you and gain an unfair advantage. ;)

I really cannot pass up an opportunity to go with my wife and friends for ice cream. I do really enjoy ice cream but the experience of going to an ice cream parlor (particularly Brusters) is a wonderful experience. There is something about being outside hanging out with your friends enjoying each others company with ice cream that is too enjoyable to pass up.

Great answers from Mark! He's set the bar pretty high...