Training for the Olympics isn't a glamorous life. For Cary resident and former Duke swimmer Ashley Twichell, her path to Tokyo involved a two year wait, putting off life plans and training in the cold waters of Jordan Lake.
THE SECOND STRAIGHT GAME. TRAINING FOR THE OLYMPICS IS NOT -- A CARRY RESIDENT ASKED. INVOLVING A TWO-YEAR WEIGHT. PUTTING LIFE ON HOLD AND TRAINING IN THE COLD WATERS OF JORDAN LAKE. SHE SAID SHE GAINED A LOT FROM THOSE EXPERIENCES. HELPED HER GET TO THE GOAL. >> WHEN THE PANDEMIC BROKE OUT IN MARCH 2020, OLYMPIC HOPEFULS HAD TO GET CREATIVE IN HOW THEY TRAINED. ONE CARRY RESIDENT TOOK TWO SWIMMING LAPS. >> OUR FIRST DAYS WERE LIKE END OF MARCH. ASHLEY TWITCHELL COULD NOT GET IN THE POOL THAT SHE NORMALLY TRAINS IN IN CARRY. SO A COACH AND A TEAMMATE OF HERS WHO TAKE DAILY TRIPS TO JORDAN LAKE. >> SO WE WORE WETSUITS. BUT IT WAS REALLY REALLY A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM. NO ONE ELSE WAS COMPLAINING. SO I HAD TO TOUGH IT OUT. >> Reporter: TOUGHING IT OUT IS HER SPECIALTY. SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST AMERICANS TO QUALIFY FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES BACK IN JULY 2019. REPRESENTING USA SWIMMING AND OPEN WATER 10K. BUT WHEN THE OLYMPICS WERE POSTPONED, IT ALSO POSTPONED THE 32-YEAR-OLD LIFE PLANS. >> I WAS SET TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE OLYMPICS LAST SUMMER. SO ANOTHER YEAR DEFINITELY WAS NOT EXPECTED. I REALLY TRIED TO LOOK AT IT AS A GIFT. TO HAVE ANOTHER YEAR TO DO SOMETHING THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. >> THE EXTRA LAPS AND -- THAT COME WITH THE ANTICIPATION MAKING A LIFELONG DREAM COME TRUE. IT HAS HER IN TIP TOP SHAPE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY THAT SHE HOPES COULD HELP HER WIN GOLD ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. >> I FEEL LIKE MY MENTAL GAME HAS GOTTEN A LOT STRONGER. DEALING WITH EVERYTHING AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
