EFFORT

Last week as we worked through our test sets in the Prep and Gold group we would periodically look at the clock to check on everyone’s effort as the set evolved.  You may have figured out, or maybe not that the green clock also helps the coaches keep track of the groups effort with more consistency.  It makes it harder for you all to  ZONE OUT during the set, and you all know what we mean.

We were amazed to watch the last (5) 50’s in the test set when we asked you to really work some magic and drop some time.  We were expecting some 1 and 2 second drops.  The problem arose when we were seeing over 5 second drops in a 50 at the end of a test set.  I’m not sure what you were waiting for other than the fact that you were at that fork in the road with 2 paths to choose from, the easy path or the harder path that involved a little more work and a big effort along the entire path. If the thought crossed your mind that we were going to get in and help you down the pool, you might want to rethink your approach.  

These test sets are designed as both a physical and mental exercise to see were we are, at any particular point of our season.  On occasion we would ask if that 50 was at race speed and you responded honestly and stated that it was not.  Good for you, you took responsibility for the lack of effort.   Sometimes we would hear "I'm tired" but that sounds like an excuse for failing.  It is easy to think if I'm not really trying, I can't lose.  Or, it's going to be hard and painful, so why not wait?  The mind is a funny thing especially some of you Senior Prep kiddos.  Swimmers will often give up and talk themselves out of swimming hard when someone, be it at practice or a meet, starts beating them.  You begin to doubt your own abilities and you shouldn't. Each of you are amazing individuals in and out of the pool.  In swimming, the only true opponent is that clock, and a lack of effort will have the clock beating you every time.  Use the clock as your true measuring guide.   Let's continue to always move forward, you may not like whats behind you.

You really don’t want to get caught from behind  or maybe you enjoy being shark food.