Okay sorry I missed practice this morning, and no i was not sleeping in! I had scheduled some interviews Saturday, and when plans changed on Thursday night it was to late to change them.
We are turning the corner now and heading into the last few weeks before championships, and really it starts next weekend for our High school swimmers as they will be having their district meets. Good luck to all of you!
The following video is something I found that you guys may like, Nice week of practice and keep up the hard work!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Update - 1/21/14
UPCOMING MEETS:
We have 2 meets coming up in February that our groups should be entering. The SNOW meet on February 8 and the PM Qualifier February 15 and 16. I have asked Coach Heather to open the PM meet to the Junior Blue group also.
Here are my thoughts as you enter these meets. You should not be entering any events that you will be swimming at JO's. We should be entering events that we are close to making for JO's.
DISTANCE MEET:
We are going to be attending the distance meet on Sunday February 9. This will allow those of you who wish the opportunity to swim the 1000 or the 1650 free.
MEET RESULTS:
We had 2 meets to start off the new year. This past weekend was the January Open, and we had a lot of outstanding swims turned in by our groups, with quite a few JO cuts reached. Several swimmers had a great performance in the 500 free on Saturday, a lot of them getting the bell lap. We also found that one of our senior prep swimmers has trouble counting from 1-20. This person will remain nameless because I told Gillian I would not say anything. (oops!)
WEEKLY TOPIC "TAKING RESPONSIBILITY"
This is the time of year in our sport where athletes begin to get worn down, start felling a little extra pressure as championship season draws nearer, and mid-term projects in school become due. On the school end it is important that you are getting the proper rest, and that your nutrition habits remain good. Also make sure you are getting LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER to keep your engine functioning properly. Keep up with that school work and DO NOT put it off until the last minute.
As for the swimming end all of the above is important along with your practice. I have heard that there is some grumblings about maybe I am not being positive enough or that I may be yelling to much, and not supportive enough. That being said I will offer the following I am coaching 3 separate and different groups who are at different levels, and I look at that while
I am coaching. However what I cannot and will not accept are the same mistakes which are
made over and over. We are in the core of our season with championships right around the corner, and I expect more and will hold you accountable each and every day. The first area is that you may feel like you get yelled at every day for getting in late. My question to you is why are you late day after day, and if you do not enjoy being called out then why don't you fix the problem? The next area is after a race you talk to the coaches and they give you valuable FEEDBACK to take back to practice and work on. My question is, "Do you work on it or do you just swim lap after lap with no direction?" That is not practicing. At practice you should not be worried about how many are left or what time it is, instead think how can I become a better swimmer on this lap. Then you show up at the next meet and repeat the exact same mistake! Very frustrating as I watch it unfold all over again, and than I have to deal with you who are visibly upset! Depending on what level you are at will determine my response to your swim. As quick as I am in pointing out the positives I will be just as quick in pointing out things that can help you including the things that upset me greatly. That is part of my job. What you all need to do is to take it as CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
I have always said that as a coach I am always happy for a swimmer after a swim even if the time is not good, AS LONG AS THERE IS EFFORT AND HEART put into it. I have swam and done other sports and understand that the results will not always be positive, but I had a football coach (Bob Herb) who told me to be prepared mentally and physically to leave your best on the field during each contest, and never disrespect yourself or the sport by settling for anything less.
Here is a poem I used years ago by Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.
BOTTOM LINE STOP BLAMING OTHERS, OR MAKING EXCUSES TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS!!!
We have 2 meets coming up in February that our groups should be entering. The SNOW meet on February 8 and the PM Qualifier February 15 and 16. I have asked Coach Heather to open the PM meet to the Junior Blue group also.
Here are my thoughts as you enter these meets. You should not be entering any events that you will be swimming at JO's. We should be entering events that we are close to making for JO's.
DISTANCE MEET:
We are going to be attending the distance meet on Sunday February 9. This will allow those of you who wish the opportunity to swim the 1000 or the 1650 free.
MEET RESULTS:
We had 2 meets to start off the new year. This past weekend was the January Open, and we had a lot of outstanding swims turned in by our groups, with quite a few JO cuts reached. Several swimmers had a great performance in the 500 free on Saturday, a lot of them getting the bell lap. We also found that one of our senior prep swimmers has trouble counting from 1-20. This person will remain nameless because I told Gillian I would not say anything. (oops!)
WEEKLY TOPIC "TAKING RESPONSIBILITY"
This is the time of year in our sport where athletes begin to get worn down, start felling a little extra pressure as championship season draws nearer, and mid-term projects in school become due. On the school end it is important that you are getting the proper rest, and that your nutrition habits remain good. Also make sure you are getting LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER to keep your engine functioning properly. Keep up with that school work and DO NOT put it off until the last minute.
As for the swimming end all of the above is important along with your practice. I have heard that there is some grumblings about maybe I am not being positive enough or that I may be yelling to much, and not supportive enough. That being said I will offer the following I am coaching 3 separate and different groups who are at different levels, and I look at that while
I am coaching. However what I cannot and will not accept are the same mistakes which are
made over and over. We are in the core of our season with championships right around the corner, and I expect more and will hold you accountable each and every day. The first area is that you may feel like you get yelled at every day for getting in late. My question to you is why are you late day after day, and if you do not enjoy being called out then why don't you fix the problem? The next area is after a race you talk to the coaches and they give you valuable FEEDBACK to take back to practice and work on. My question is, "Do you work on it or do you just swim lap after lap with no direction?" That is not practicing. At practice you should not be worried about how many are left or what time it is, instead think how can I become a better swimmer on this lap. Then you show up at the next meet and repeat the exact same mistake! Very frustrating as I watch it unfold all over again, and than I have to deal with you who are visibly upset! Depending on what level you are at will determine my response to your swim. As quick as I am in pointing out the positives I will be just as quick in pointing out things that can help you including the things that upset me greatly. That is part of my job. What you all need to do is to take it as CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
I have always said that as a coach I am always happy for a swimmer after a swim even if the time is not good, AS LONG AS THERE IS EFFORT AND HEART put into it. I have swam and done other sports and understand that the results will not always be positive, but I had a football coach (Bob Herb) who told me to be prepared mentally and physically to leave your best on the field during each contest, and never disrespect yourself or the sport by settling for anything less.
Here is a poem I used years ago by Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.
"THE MAN IN THE GLASS"
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what the man has to say.
For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please---never mind all the rest
For he's with you, clear to the end
And you've passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what the man has to say.
For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please---never mind all the rest
For he's with you, clear to the end
And you've passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
BOTTOM LINE STOP BLAMING OTHERS, OR MAKING EXCUSES TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS!!!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Great job by both groups in picking up the fly drill off the video today. Senior prep swimmers better job today in your effort and attention to detail
In your races don't forget to " RELAX AND TRUST YOUR TRAINING DO NOT PANIC" If it is hard and it hurts, What is your competition feeling and what will there choice be? WHAT WILL YOUR CHOICE BE ?
In your races don't forget to " RELAX AND TRUST YOUR TRAINING DO NOT PANIC" If it is hard and it hurts, What is your competition feeling and what will there choice be? WHAT WILL YOUR CHOICE BE ?
Sunday, January 5, 2014
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
WEEK AHEAD
No changes in our schedule for the next two weeks except for the Junior Blue groups on Monday and Wednesday. For the next two weeks they will start 15 minutes early due to the fact that Mason stays on a holiday schedule until classes start again.
MAKO WINTER MEET
The warm up times this weekend are as follows:
10 and unders. 7:00Am
11-12 are 11:20AM
13 and overs Saturday 3:00PM and Sunday 2:20 PM
Please be prepared to swim. Know your events before arriving at the pool. Do not forget your warm up and warm down. Do not sit around and wait to be told, it's your responsibility. Wear only Mako caps when swimming, and Mako shirts and sweats in the bleachers. I do not want to see anyone just sitting in suits, take care of your bodies and put yourself in position to succeed. See a coach after your swims!! I do not know if I will be at all the sessions this weekend, so you may need to check in with another coach.
DISTANCE MEET WRAP UP
We had a good showing this past weekend at the distance meet. Swimming the 1000 free on Saturday for the first time were Carl M. (12:33), Alex A. (13:24), Jackson K. (12:53), Richard M.
(13:17), Caroline W. (15:00). T.J.(11:53) Andrew H. (12.:17) Joey (12:08) Gillian (13:16) Brendan
K. (12:58) Natalia J. (13:31) Alexa (12:17). Dropping 67 seconds in her swim Julia Young posted a 12:05:62 and her sister Lauren dropped 36 seconds clocking in at 12:06:28. Our Iron woman of the
weekend was Gabby who swam the 1000 on Saturday posting a 11:48 and than swim a 1650 on Sunday dropping over 50 seconds posting a 19:09and maybe learning a little something about herself in the process.
All in all I really believe that this was a good experience for all of you, and I think it is a good way to start off the new year. I like to look at it as our Polar Bear Plunge, since your parents really won' t let you do one with me in February at Rehoboth beach. For all you first timers I was really impressed how you were able to set a good pace early and hold it throughout the race. For those of you who had the experience o swimming this event before you did a real nice job of setting your pace and than responding at the 500 mark to get though that mental wall. Nice job by all of you and yes you get your skittles on Monday .
TRUST YOUR ABILITIES and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Over the years I have always heard swimmers express the following " I can do this, or I feel good about posting a good time" and I always have wondered if they really believe that deep down. It always easy to have that external confidence, but you really have to have that belief in your abilities deep down. You need to believe that you belong on that block and that you have done EVERYTHING in your power to put you in a position to succeed. Lack of a real deep down belief in yourself can and will lead to other problems such as:
So what do you do? We've talked about it before. VISUALIZATION !!! Instead of always visualizing what may go wrong during a meet/race, take the other approach and VISUALIZE A MEET, or that GREAT RACE. A race that has you exploding off the block into that perfect streamline that has you sliding through the water effortlessly, a powerful swimmers that others will need to deal with. Feel your body moving in to those turns and coming out of them more powerful than before. Feel that last surge that you have near the end of the race that commands you to a speed and a feeling that you have never experienced before.
I talked to one of you over the weekend and asked what is the biggest fear you have in this race? Answer was the fear of hurting and dying before the finish. We talked about it and as I expected ( as I do with a lot of you) this swimmer really has never experienced a true hurt during a swim. Now I ask you, HOW CAN YOU FEAR SOMETHING IN SPORTS THAT YOU HAVE NEVER FELT?
Sometimes in these meets you need to take a new approach and try something different. You may never know what you are really capable of until you do. As I explain to this particular swimmer let's experience a little pain today! Result was her best time and I know she put it all out there by the look on her face and her body. I ask if she was hurting and her response was yes BUT it' s a good feeling. Maybe a lesson learned. Once the technique is learned and the training has been put in, and the nutrition and rest done, it' all MENTAL BABY!
Try some VISUALIZATION a few times before a meet, and just BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
No changes in our schedule for the next two weeks except for the Junior Blue groups on Monday and Wednesday. For the next two weeks they will start 15 minutes early due to the fact that Mason stays on a holiday schedule until classes start again.
MAKO WINTER MEET
The warm up times this weekend are as follows:
10 and unders. 7:00Am
11-12 are 11:20AM
13 and overs Saturday 3:00PM and Sunday 2:20 PM
Please be prepared to swim. Know your events before arriving at the pool. Do not forget your warm up and warm down. Do not sit around and wait to be told, it's your responsibility. Wear only Mako caps when swimming, and Mako shirts and sweats in the bleachers. I do not want to see anyone just sitting in suits, take care of your bodies and put yourself in position to succeed. See a coach after your swims!! I do not know if I will be at all the sessions this weekend, so you may need to check in with another coach.
DISTANCE MEET WRAP UP
We had a good showing this past weekend at the distance meet. Swimming the 1000 free on Saturday for the first time were Carl M. (12:33), Alex A. (13:24), Jackson K. (12:53), Richard M.
(13:17), Caroline W. (15:00). T.J.(11:53) Andrew H. (12.:17) Joey (12:08) Gillian (13:16) Brendan
K. (12:58) Natalia J. (13:31) Alexa (12:17). Dropping 67 seconds in her swim Julia Young posted a 12:05:62 and her sister Lauren dropped 36 seconds clocking in at 12:06:28. Our Iron woman of the
weekend was Gabby who swam the 1000 on Saturday posting a 11:48 and than swim a 1650 on Sunday dropping over 50 seconds posting a 19:09and maybe learning a little something about herself in the process.
All in all I really believe that this was a good experience for all of you, and I think it is a good way to start off the new year. I like to look at it as our Polar Bear Plunge, since your parents really won' t let you do one with me in February at Rehoboth beach. For all you first timers I was really impressed how you were able to set a good pace early and hold it throughout the race. For those of you who had the experience o swimming this event before you did a real nice job of setting your pace and than responding at the 500 mark to get though that mental wall. Nice job by all of you and yes you get your skittles on Monday .
TRUST YOUR ABILITIES and BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Over the years I have always heard swimmers express the following " I can do this, or I feel good about posting a good time" and I always have wondered if they really believe that deep down. It always easy to have that external confidence, but you really have to have that belief in your abilities deep down. You need to believe that you belong on that block and that you have done EVERYTHING in your power to put you in a position to succeed. Lack of a real deep down belief in yourself can and will lead to other problems such as:
- Low energy
- Not looking forward to a meet
- Not looking forward to a race
- Mistakes during a race
- Intimidation from other swimmers
- Jealously of other swimmers
- Worrying about small details which may never arise
So what do you do? We've talked about it before. VISUALIZATION !!! Instead of always visualizing what may go wrong during a meet/race, take the other approach and VISUALIZE A MEET, or that GREAT RACE. A race that has you exploding off the block into that perfect streamline that has you sliding through the water effortlessly, a powerful swimmers that others will need to deal with. Feel your body moving in to those turns and coming out of them more powerful than before. Feel that last surge that you have near the end of the race that commands you to a speed and a feeling that you have never experienced before.
I talked to one of you over the weekend and asked what is the biggest fear you have in this race? Answer was the fear of hurting and dying before the finish. We talked about it and as I expected ( as I do with a lot of you) this swimmer really has never experienced a true hurt during a swim. Now I ask you, HOW CAN YOU FEAR SOMETHING IN SPORTS THAT YOU HAVE NEVER FELT?
Sometimes in these meets you need to take a new approach and try something different. You may never know what you are really capable of until you do. As I explain to this particular swimmer let's experience a little pain today! Result was her best time and I know she put it all out there by the look on her face and her body. I ask if she was hurting and her response was yes BUT it' s a good feeling. Maybe a lesson learned. Once the technique is learned and the training has been put in, and the nutrition and rest done, it' all MENTAL BABY!
Try some VISUALIZATION a few times before a meet, and just BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
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