PITTSBURGH — Bernice Phillips hit the wall — and then busted right through it.

The 78-year-old Poulsbo resident and master swimmer, striving for her first medal at the Senior Olympics June 16, had decided early that day she’d go into the 50-yard backstroke with every ounce of energy she could muster.

In swimming, a fast start — also referred to as a “shotgun start” — can be risky because swimmers find themselves in the position of running out of energy halfway through the race. Phillips and other athletes often call that hitting “the wall.”

Indeed, she hit hers halfway along the 50.

“Remembering what I had heard about the wall, I kept my pace strong, thinking I had no more to give,” said Phillips, who swims in the 75-79-age division. “And then I passed through the wall.”

Her conquering the physical and mental barriers that she thought would keep her from “finishing strong,” ended with the result of her conquering a more exterior group of foes — all but two of those swimming against her.

With a time of 51.87, Phillips took home a bronze medal in the Senior Olympics, one of the most prestigious swimming events in the world.

The swimmer of two-and-a-half years still can hardly believe she’s returned to Poulsbo as a Olympian.

“I have to pinch myself every now and then,” she said with a smile.

Even more amazing is how far she’s come in a short time. Phillips began swimming only two and a half years ago at the Bainbridge and North Kitsap pools. She’s come a long way — in her first time in the pool, she could only swim half a lap.

She’s now swam in many events in her young swimming career, and qualified for the Summer National Senior Olympics by placing at the Huntsman World Seniors Games held in St. George, Utah, last October.

But Phillips worked hard, swimming everyday, and eventually became a member of the U.S. Masters Swimmers and the Bainbridge Aquatics Masters (BAM) in 2003. She’s been swimming for coach Lynn Wells ever since.

Whereas most competitors would be contented with competing and achieving success in-state or even regionally, Phillips tirelessly fought for national success. She had already won a national championship in Indianapolis, Ind. in April 2004 for a 55.07 in the 50-meter freestyle.

Then, she decided to aim even higher — the Olympics.

So, the question must be asked: how did she go from being a person who couldn’t swim half a lap to an Olympian?

Though the Olympics would be her moment to shine, the event was the result of much hard work in the pool. She added that her mental practice and preparation was every bit as important as the physical side, if not more so.

“Training (and) drilling isn’t just about swimming laps,” Phillips said. “It’s about concentrating and focusing on every move at all times. Constantly putting into practice what your coach has trained you to do.”

At swim meets, the 78-year-old uses visualization techniques to ensure that what she thinks about doing becomes what she actually does in the water.

“(You must) actually see yourself performing all that you have been coached to do,” she said. “Fast starts, fast into the wall, fast turns and hard into the finish.”