A DAY OFF

A question that always comes up is, Should I skip practice the day before a meet?  You would think that the answer is easy from a coaches view, but when you mix in the opinions of both swimmers and parents the answer to the question becomes very blurred.

The first thing to remember is that preparing for a meet whether it’s a training meet, qualifying meet or a championship meet you want to keep things as normal as you can.  Nothing new, nothing less, just small tweaks.  You and your body are on a schedule, stick to it.  Think 🤔 of this scenario, you’ve missed a day or two of school, now that first day back always brings with it the problems of getting back to a routine.  You and your body always feel a little off and sluggish as you try to get back to a normal routine, not a good place to be on race day.

First off is that if the day before a meet is a normal day for training then that is where you should and need to be. The benefits of sticking to a normal schedule are many some of which are;

• Keep muscles loose and supple.  In other words instead of sitting around and allowing your muscles to tighten up, you are keeping them flexible so they will move freely.  Another reason your cool downs are so important.  The tighter they become the more effort is required to get them and you to a good place.
• Maintain good technique.  Have you ever had the feeling of heavy arms and legs after returning to the pool after a few missed workouts.  That overall sluggish and uncomfortable feeling as you try to swim.  Again not a good feeling for race day! 
• Final adjustments. Maybe you need that final start off the blocks, that final turn or finish.  Maybe you just need that feeling of doing a few fast breakouts.  Training time is where this is accomplished, not at meet warmup with crowded lanes. You should show up on race day with a clear mind and ready to go.
• Mental toughness. If you feel tired an sluggish your brain will send out all kind of messages to your body to hold back.  Again not a good place to be on race day. By making all your practices you give yourself that toughness to draw upon during challenging situations.

Your coaches are keenly aware of the point of the season you are entering.  They are aware of the meets, the purpose of the meets and how to prepare you for race day.  I know it’s a cliche but you have to trust the process and stick to it.  There is no coach that can guarantee success, but they can promise that you will be in a better position to succeed if you stay the course.  If you deviate and go down a different path all sorts of thoughts and doubts enter the picture.

Take this last thought into race day.  “You are tougher than you think.  Faster than you know.  And more capable than you ever truly realize.”