HOMEWORK and SWIMMING

 "The difference between TRY and TRUMPH is a little UMPH."

DISTANCE MEET WRAP

Some of our swimmers went over to the Saint James on Saturday and Sunday to swim the 1000 and 1650 this past weekend.  One of the reasons I like this meet is that I think it's a great way for swimmers to be exposed to the distance side of swimming and it's a great way to start off a new year.  

I start my new year with a polar swim in the Atlantic every year and this year because of our warmer temperatures I was able to stay in a little longer.  For you all the distance meet combines a workout and some speed work in a short time frame and gets you off to a great start in the new year.  

We had some really impressive swims from the Mako swimmers and a few of them actually found a new event that they liked, maybe their is a future triathlon swimmer in the group.  We had some who got a little dizzy trying to figure out a breathing pattern for the mile, and others upon finishing commented that "I should have gone out a little faster.  This showed me that you were thinking of a strategy for the race to get you to the finish.

Our next step is that we want you to try to control your races for those 500, 1000, and 1650, and what I mean is not to rely on the lap counter so much to dictate your race.  You are the swimmer so figure out when you should make your move.   The last thing to figure out is your pace and once you have it do 3-4 50's to0 finish your warm ups using the clock to see if you can get a feel of what that speed should feel like. Over all you all did 😎 awesome.

NUTRITION TIP FOR WEEK

• Ever thought of incorporating some beans into your meal prep?  There are many types of beans, black-eyed peas and chickpeas.  They are available in dry, canned, and frozen forms and are a excellent source of plant protein and provide other nutrients such as iron and zinc.
• Some quick meals using beans;
• chicken and bean pasta salad
• black bean and veggie lettuce wrap
• beet and chickpea salad
• burrito bean bowl

What do homework and swimming have in common? Pretty sure most of you answered nothing and others probably think absolutely nothing. Others are thinking, where is he going with this?

Okay maybe not exactly the same, but as in life the same principles can and should be applied.  

First off when you are given homework you are expected to take the assignment and complete all the work to the best of your ability.  In swimming your coach gives you a set with some specific directions thwart may include drills, speed, breathing or other things.   The point is that you are to take that set with the directions and complete it to the best of your ability.  For what ever reasons swimmers just push off the wall and forget what they are working on and from the deck it doesn't pass the eye test.  

Homework prepare you for tests.  Swim workouts with sets prepare you for races.  If you want to put yourself in a good position to succeed you need to complete the assignments.  There are no shortcuts in the process, although you may choose to take one but if you do you have no right to be upset with the results.

SET OF THE WEEK

3 ROUNDS OF RELAYS

2x From a dive streamline 3 break out strokes fast flip sprint back to wall with no breath

• 1st round 3 strokes flip
• 2nd round 5 strokes with a flip
• 3rd round 7 strokes

Why do it?  First to get an explosive dive. second fast feet over the top with no wall.  Third to get our kick going without that wall (too many times I see swimmers with a lazy kick off turns). Fourth get some finishing speed into the wall without breathing.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK