BE YOUR BEST FRIEND

MARLIN MEET WRAP UP

This past weekend we traveled over to UMD for a tune up meet to see where we stand as we head into our mid-season meets.   We had 8 swimmers on Friday night swimming the distance events (500 1000 free and 400 IM).  All eight of these swimmers put in a great effort working turns, streamlines, dolphins, and pacing.  Along the way as a bonus they all dropped a lot of time.  

Saturday after we figured out which group was going to warmup in what pool, we settled down and got to business.  It’s kind of funny watching you all just running back and forth to try and figure which pool to warmup in, but that was on the coaches because we must have had a brain freeze.  

All of you especially the 12 and under’s did a great  job getting to your events.  This was a great experience for the kids because the older girls and younger boys were swimming in one pool while the older boys and younger girls were swimming in the other one.  Other than two hiccups and one missed event you all were great.

As for the races we saw a lot of positive things happening in the pools and it all started with your starts and the breakouts into your races.   We saw a big improvement on that first 25 and how you were aggressive holding onto your speed into that first turn.  The breathing patterns looked really good although a few of you need to understand that on the longer events it is important to get air early.  I often here peter tell kids not to breathe the first 25 in a 200 fly, but don’t take him literally it only his way to get you to relax.  If you don’t breathe enough early enough it will hurt like, well you know what I am getting at, besides you don’t want the sight of us getting in to get you.

One area we are still struggling with is our underwater dolphins.  The effort is definitely there but the execution still needs some attention.  The coaches are always talking to you about pushing the distance off the wall, but sometimes we forget to remind you that it’s more about the speed off the walls. These kicks should be short and fast.  Your breakout stroke should start as soon as you feel a decrease in speed.  Let me say that again, your breakout stroke should begin as soon as you feel a decrease in speed.  That’s a fine line that YOU have to feel and figure out. That being said let’s step back and look at these dolphins again and don’t forget this is the fifth stroke in swimming, it’s not a gimmick and it needs to be practice consistently during practice.  

YOU DETERMINE WHO YOU ARE

Sometimes during our conversations before and after practice I hear stories about your friends👬 and learn of some of your best friends,  and the one question I have for you is this, Who is your best swimming friend.  Just maybe that person is the one looking back at you in the mirror.  Talk to this person as you read through this to see if any of the following situations are you.

Do I focus on the past, present or future.  This past weekend I heard some things like I can’t do the backstroke finish because I got DQ last time, and the last time I did this I had such a bad race.  I also heard things that involved races and things in the future that have nothing to do with the present.  Do I only focus on an outcome, a must win situation, a JO or Florida cut or do I focus on enjoying the process and my performance.  As an athlete we don’t know about tomorrow, don’t care about yesterday, all we have is today and what’s right in front of us.

Do I demand perfection from myself?  Not a bad thing, but it is something that should be worked towards, but at the same time it is unrealistic to expect it every time you step onto the blocks.  I have yet to meet or coach that person in life.

Be your best friend and not your worst enemy!  Just a thought.