CONSISTENCY

If your looking for consistency in your races look no further than consistency in your preparation leading up to those races.  When we talk about preparations, we are not talking about the days before or even the few weeks before the race.  While you view every race as a big one what we are talking about is that target meet of your season which normally comes during championship season in March or April.   In your summer league it’s divisionals an maybe a lane to race in at all stars.

Race or performance consistency demands consistency every day in your preparation, consistency in your focus and consistency in your effort every day.  Many swimmers 🏊‍♀️ who have trouble with this pick and choose when they will give it their all.  That’s not how great swimmers become great.  These are the athletes who have LAZY PRACTICE HABITS.  They fail to grasp that the reason for their inconsistencies in competition are because of their inconsistencies during practice.  They believe that they can flip a switch on race day and

magical things will happen.  They believe that if hey say it enough and tell enough people than he magic will happen.  If  that occurs it will truly be magical because it won’t be because of hard work and consistency in workouts, and thus that is the biggest reason for inconsistency in competitions.

Consistency does not mean that you will swim a lifetime best or have your best performance, why? Because your human and its human nature for athletes to have an off day.  When that happens don’t make excuses or pout.  Don’t be too hard on yourself either.  Talk about the race with your coach, listen, learn and o back to he pool and work on it.  There is never the perfect race, maybe in that moment but new goals are set and the next challenge is set.

I never understand why the SUPER BOWL is advertised as the biggest game, maybe it is for those athletes in that moment on that day, but they have played 58 of these BIGGEST GAMES.

It is very difficult to be “ON” every day of competition let alone during workouts.  The season is long and grinding and you’re human, it’s going to take a toll.   It’s hard being an athlete especially for a swimmer because you are always looking to that stopwatch for justification for all your work.  Sometimes though you have to look past that stopwatch and accept the little wins this sport has to offer.

On those occasions when you’re a little off, it is essential to focus and work the best you can in that moment and again not be too hard on yourself.   During workouts it easy to settle into a comfort zone but it’s at this time when adversity smacks you in the face that you need to push yourself past that comfort zone.  Do the things that other swimmers refuse to do, identify the things you need to work on and then get to work.  

Remind yourself to work on consistency and the pursuit of excellence and not perfection.

9-12 MONDAY MADNESS

WARM UP THE USUAL 300 (1x1x1)

100 mixer free/back

2x50 free 1 build 1 fast

4x25 IMO (streamlines smooth long stroke)

HEART RATE SET with fins

4 rounds

3x25 free @30 no breath out no breath in

1x50 back kick smooth

MAIN SET TODAY

4x25 back pause get set @40

2x50 back build to fast turn and get home. @1:30

4x25 back spin tempo @1:00

2x25 back elevator @45

4x25 breast @40 stay low on breath fast hands drive legs

2x50 @1:30 build to fast full extension turn fast back

4x50 @1:20 (odds back to breast.  Evens breast to free. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER HERE

FINISH UP SET 

2x25 fast fly from a dive. Walk around

GREAT JOB