Beneath the Surface(139-179)

Summary:

Phelps next focus was the World Championships in Barcelona. Michael proposed to his mom that if he broke a world record at the meet she would get him a dog. In Barcelona he ends up breaking five world records, and at the end of his last race he looked up at his sister and she had a poster up saying "5 dogs" ?
When they came back from Barcelona of course there would be interviewers. That was a pain in the neck for Michael and his coach, so bad so the point where his coach would yell at everyone and tell them to "GET OUT OF HERE, NO MORE INTERVIEWING"! With seven world records in 41 days contracts with Speedo were being offered, and Phelps and his people wouldn't reject. But something that was happening to Phelps when he would travel is he would always lose is training equipment. Michael was increasing his profile, so he used that especially for the kids. He was the national spokesman for the Boys and Girls Club. He goes around and talks to younger kids and even teenagers with hard lives, and he tells them what he has been through and how swimming has helped him.
Phelps would later be backed to training, and figuring out his tight schedule with Trials and Olympics. Interviews, conferences and all that extra stuff was tough for Michael, because he really wanted to train. The person who helped him the most was his coach, he helped him get through this and molded him into the swimmer and man that he is today.

Quote:

"Bob thought I was loafing through an afternoon practice and told me. "If your only going to do this much, you might as well get out." I got out of the pool and said, "Okay I will then." Bob said, "Merry Christmas," and I was out of there."

Reaction:

When I read this all I could think of the times this has happened between my coach and I. If he feels I am slacking off, he will tell me leave so we both don't waste our time. But I know when he does that he is testing me, there has been times where I just left because I was just so tired and my body couldn't take it anymore. But when it is all over I do regret, I feel bad and I will come with the best attitude the next practice.