FRIDAY DECEMBER 19

As we enter into this holiday season it just so happens that we have come to the end of the first training phase that  I designed for our groups back in August. I have spent this week looking back over the plan to see what kind of adjustments need to be done as we move forward.  I will also take some time the next 2 weeks to review everyone goal sheets to see where we stand as we move forward into cycle 2 of the program.We actually started cycle two of our program this past Monday and even though it was different for each group there was a little more emphasis put on drills.  As we talked about we will be doing a couple of drills for each strokes during the next few weeks as we get ready to enter into the heavy training cycle leading up to the March championship season.  Senior Prep swimmers please remember we have some high school swimmers who will begin their championship seasons at the end of January.

I know as the holiday season comes around a lot of you think that it would be  a great time to take a rest and miss workouts.  I am here to tell you that as an athlete especially a swimmer that would be a huge mistake.  We have spent 4 months getting you back into racing shape and you will seriously jeopardize all that work by missing workouts.  The hardest part of training during the next couple of weeks is not foolin yourselfinto thinking a fewdays off won'tmatter, IT WILLSenior Prep and Junior Gold groups are encourage to come in every day starting monday December 22.

MEET WRAP UP

This past weekend we had several swimmers from our groups travel to Lancaster Pa. for a
championship meet Friday thru Sunday.  The swimmers from our groups arrived at the pool all eager to showcase their talents and to see where we are at mid-season.  I could not have been more proud of the way all of you rose to the challenge which resulted in some great races and many best times. A lot of our swimmers also swam finals in the evening  which resulted in some extra races.  I do have to point out Alexia Cuomo who ended up swimming 12 races and wound up winning high point for 13-14 year olds in the meet

For those of you who may have been disappointed in the results, try to keep the whole picture  in focus. Back in  the beginning of November we talked about how some of us were going to plan and taper for swim and rock so that we could get some cuts, and the rest of us were going to swim the meet tired.  There were also a few of you who interrupted your training by missing practice over Thanksgiving.  All of those are little pieces that fit in to complete your final puzzle. The other pieces
are nutrition, hydration, keeping up with school work, proper rest, positive self-talk, perfect practice,
getting in on time.  How can it be that important if you can't find the right pieces to put it together.

That being said I will be the first to say stop making excuses, but at the same time I want you to be honest with yourselves.  I can deal with the emotions and the drama so long as you are totally honest with yourself.

More later Mike