Accepting the Challenge: How Zalan Sarkany Takes On a Brutal Event Schedule
2550 yards of individual racing. For many collegiate distance swimmers, this total is often the reality of a championship meet; the 400 IM, 500 Free, and of course the brutal 1650 packed into three short days. That schedule doesn’t even count additional relays, warmup, or warmdown, piling onto a ridiculous workload.
It’s a challenge physically and mentally for anyone bold enough to take it on. And yet, many have found success with it, as over the past three years, at least three male and two female A-Finalists at the meet have participated in all three. None perhaps have had as much success with the treacherous lineup as Indiana junior Zalán Sarkany, now the back-to-back NCAA champion in the 1650. Sarkany has dealt with the schedule for three years now, still managing to place higher in the respective events every subsequent year of the meet. I spoke to the Hungarian Olympian on how he handles this workload in and out of the pool.
Leading Up to Meet Day
It’s obvious that to succeed in this schedule of events, a great aerobic capacity is needed. But Sarkany pointed to a different method which he credited for his endurance: Open water swimming. “The mental challenge that comes with swimming those long distances has made (distance swimming) easier,” said Sarkany. “It’s been really beneficial.” Through swimming longer distances than available in short course swimming, Sarkany has been better able to handle the grind of his three-event schedule.
Another factor the Olympian pointed to as important was his pre-meet diet. Sarkany makes sure to get in a serious load of carbohydrates, perhaps even more than suggested. “The two nights before I race, I always eat a full pizza,” he said with a smile. “Although it’s not my nutritionist’s favorite (advice).” The swimmer described the carbs as “giving him the energy he needed” to get through the grueling events, despite the lack of other health benefits. “It’s not for everybody,” he laughed. “But it’s definitely worked for me.”
Focusing Mentally
A huge aspect of these three events before racing is the mental side. Longer events force one to be alone with their thoughts for longer stretches. This isolation can be challenging, as worries have more time to sprout in a 14-minute mile than a 17-second 50. To deal with this challenge, Sarkany sought outside help, in the form of a mental sports coach. “I talk to my sports coach before every meet,” Sarkany said. “It helps me get (my mind) right.”
Sarkany pointed to a specific moment at the World Championship s in 2022, in which his sports coach helped guide him through adversity. “During my mile, my goggles filled up with water, and I wasn’t mentally strong enough to finish the race,” said the Olympian. “I spoke with my sports mental coach post-race, though, relaxed my mind, and the next day, I went my best ever 400 free time.” The aid of his mental coach allowed him to move past the event, with a renewed focus that led to a best time.
Through his coaching, Sarkany attempts to apply the lessons learned from Worlds to every race. “I try to focus on one event at a time each day,” he said. “I reset each race.” By not letting any single performance drag him down, even in long, exhausting events, the Hungarian can provide maximum energy to each race.
Rest and Recovery
Perhaps the most important piece to preparation for this schedule is recovery. With a limited timeframe, distance swimmers must prepare their bodies for the next race. For Sarkany, recovery means an attempt at normalcy, even in stressful circumstances. “It’s so difficult to replicate a normal day when in that environment,” Sarkany said. “But I try to keep my habits the same.” Sarkany attempts to get the same amount of sleep, while also looking for ways to distract himself from racing during the day. “I’ll often buy a Lego set to work on,” he noted. “It gives me a project (to distract myself).”
While retaining normalcy is important to Sarkany, another big emphasis is placed upon taking care of his body. The swimmer pointed to massage and long warmdowns as very important. The swimmer uses these methods to “reduce the lactic acid buildup” caused by the long races. This makes for a greater recovery, through loosening the muscles before racing again. Through refueling physically and mentally, Sarkany is prepared to take on the weekend’s challenges.
The physical and mental challenges of distance swimming often weigh on the athlete. Even Sarkany spoke jokingly of some slight jealousy for the Hoosiers’ sprinters, who swim significantly less yardage. “It’s so hard watching them get out early, as we are still working away,” he said. But to Sarkany and many others, the challenge is well worth it. “We are elite sportsmen,” he declared proudly. “There’s nothing better than doing great in our own events.”
Sarkany is a shining example that with an intricate routine and a powerful mindset, even the most difficult of event schedules can be conquered.