Tuesday, December 2, 2014

TUESDAY DECEMBER 2

PRACTICES :  All will be held as normal except Saturday morning which is cancelled due to the meet.

MAKO INVITATIONAL:

WARM- UP TIMES SATURDAY 11-12 (7:00-7:35) 10 AND UNDER (11:25-11:55) 13 AND OVER (2:55-3:35)    SUNDAY 11-12 (7:00-7:35)  10 AND UNDERS (10:45-11:15)  13 AND OVERS (2:40- 3:10)

POSITIVE CHECK IN SATURDAY 200 FREE/200 BREAST/ 200 FLY   SUNDAY 200 IM/ 200 BREAST

ATTIRE:  Only Mako caps are to be worn during the meet!!  You have no choice except not to swim.  I am getting tired of seeing other caps, and by the way I don't have one is a excuse and they are easy to come up with  PACKING A BAG FOR A SWIM MEET SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
  • TEAM SUIT: always bring a spare, this may be the meet where it rips
  • TEAM CAP:  again bring extras they rip
  • TEAM UNIFORM:  wear your team tee on deck and show your spirit, bring a sweatshirt also to stay warm on the pool deck
  • GOGGLES: again bring extras.  I have seen many break right before a race.
  • FLIP FLOPS/ SHOES: keep feet comfortable and warm
  • TOWELS:  bring a couple they get wet
  • WATER:  you need to stay hydrated and stay away from sodas and juices 
  • FOOD:  bring plenty of nutritious snacks.  Ritz bits with peanut butter or cheese, goldfish, fruit, power bars, dry cereal.  Stay away from the snack bar.
Pack your own swim bags so you know what is in it, this should not be your parents responsibility.  Remember PLAN to swim fast and the meet starts with packing your bags.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:  We have a few swimmers in our group who will be celebrating birthdays this week, so take a moment and wish them a happy one; ADAM DEMBICKI  today, CARTER KIM AND KATIE PONTZER Wednesday, ISABELLA MANZIONE Thursday, DAVID RUDO and CAITLIN BIRKHOLZ Sunday.  Have a great day!

TODAY'S TOPIC "An Athletes Fear"
As a swimmer/athlete what are your fears?  You have none GREAT! the other side is the fear that comes from maybe a physical injury, but I believe that the biggest fear comes from the fact that sports are an important part of our social development.  In all sports an athletes performance is visible to everyone present, and with our sport it becomes so much more visible because we have that instant result that is attached to our names and that is the time on the stop watch.  As soon as that time is posted comparisons to our "seed" times begin immediately by ourselves, coaches, parents, friends and so the list goes.......

A swimmer who allows that ugly monster "FEAR" show his ugly head at meets tends to be afraid of losing a race, losing to a teammate or sibling, negative social views, embarrassment, letting others down, putting in the effort with no results, and making a mistake.  The fear is evident in the comments you make such as I am seeded first (which to me says your done), or I have to swim so and so.  Your like a deer in headlights and I can tell how much confidence you have in yourself by your body language.   How many times have you come back and the first thing out of your mouth when we meet is "I could have gone faster!"  Well I don't know what you are waiting for, but I believe that the fear of failing is holding you back from having an outstanding race, and it's just easier and safer to have a average race. 

Change is very critical to each of you not only as a swimmer, but as a person.  Embrace the risk to let go of the fear, "swimming without the fear means swimming FEARLESS."  This change will start back at practice, and instead of using "excuse words" such as tried, sore, sick goggles broke, put this word in, WIN.  I will win the warm-up, I will win this set, I will win this repeat right now, I will win this day.  WIN the travel day! Win whatever day it is!

Standing on the block fear must vanish, put the result out of the mix, free your body so that it may swim as you have taught it to.  If you plan on being the best you must have the strategy to put fear aside.  Fear comes from uncertainty, work diligently day in and day out to obliterate uncertainty and fear will evaporate.

"because they fear failure many athletes never reach their true potential and there by rob themselves of opportunities to be successful." John Wooten

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND A GREAT RACING WEEKEND      MIKE





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