GREATNESS

A while back we talked about how we needed to move our races from Good to Best and finally having that Great race.  What we have staring right at us is our last short course meet of the year in a unique outdoor setting.  This is the time to leave all those previous races behind, you have a new mountain to conquer. All of you have worked really hard this season to get yourselves to this meet and now there is nothing else to do.  Is there room for one more meet, one more week filled with GREAT races?  Yes there is if you can hold on!!!

It will take all of us working together to get us to that GREAT race.  Support each other throughout this week of racing and most importantly if you notice a teammate struggling, reach out with just one word of encouragement.  It may be just what they need to get them to the top of that mountain.  One of the easiest things you can do is cheer for them behind their lanes.  Think of yourself when you are on the blocks only to see your
teammates at the end of your lane watching and feeling each stroke you take, each breath you take
and each turn you come out of.  Embrace this week and be there for your teammates.

STARTS  
Be ready to take ownership of that block when your time comes.  Explode off that block with a purpose and accelerate into those breakout strokes.  Carry that speed into that first turn like we have at practice.

TURNS
Win the walls is the first step to that GREAT race.  Accelerate into those walls, fast in, fast out as we have done a hundred times during practice.  Breakout into your stroke before your momentum slows off the wall, in short be patient but maintain that speed off the breakouts.

FINISHES 
Time those finishes and adjust outside of flags if neede and use a full stroke to the wall.  Never breathe from flags to the wall.  Touch with the fingertips and watch the touch go from the fingertips to the palm.  Forget that scoreboard, you can look at it later.

As you enter this meet remember this, fear and self doubts  are nothing more than ghosts that we let in, don’t be afraid of them. Think back to a time this year when you had one of your best races and
have the confidence to go out and swim some GREAT races, and don’t forget racing is more
than a time.  Enjoy this unique experience, soak in the atmosphere and have fun over the next week.