WINNING OUT OF THE POOL

 

In honor of Veterans Day we will be doing our 11-11-11 practice.  For you swimmers who don’t know what those numbers signify we will have to go back in history.

In 1918 an armistice was arranged to take place to end hostilities in WW1  at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month and later to become official with the Treaty of Versailles. 

President Wilson declared November 11 a national holiday to honor veterans.  My father who served in the navy and was stationed in the pacific during WWII and in Korea during that war.  So for him and all the veterans we will be doing the following workout.

VETERANS DAY WORKOUT 2025

Warm up

• 400 swim open turns no flips ( focus on tight streamline and underwater off walls)

11 rounds (odd rounds IMO  even rounds RIMO)

• 4x25 IMO (focus on UWD  AND BREAKOUTS)  

11–11–11 set

11th hour with fins

11x100 @1:30 (25 fly-25 back-50 free

11th Day

• 11x75 kick @1:30 (25 fast with boards—25 soldier kick—25 kick)

11th month (11 50’s)

3 rounds 

• 50 back@50 be aggressive with underwater’s 
• 50 back to breast @55 strong double pullouts
• 50 free @50 deep arm no breath turns

2x50 kick with boards @1:00

swim down the usual

WINNING OUT SIDE THE POOL

You put all that time in the water swimming through all your workouts but what else can you do that translates to success in your races

Start off by building a strong foundation which starts with a strong character with good personal values.  Building a strong character can be challenging but it starts with practicing positive traits such as discipline, honesty (with yourself and others), and making choices that are right even if difficult at times.  All choices have consequences that may occur instantly but will eventually catch up to you.  

Hold yourself accountable for your actions, and if you make a mistake learn from it.  I was once told by a  football coach from high school (Coach Herb) “a mistake is only a mistake if you repeat it.”

Be compassionate with others you come in contact with even when it’s difficult.  Give your best each and every day and make no excuses.

To wrap it up start implementing these 4 things in your daily lives

1. Give your best no matter what.  You know when you’re slacking either with school assignments or in practice.
2. Be careful who you surround yourself with.   It’s easier to make the right choices when those that you associate with are doing the same.
3. Stop making excuses.  Excuses are where laziness starts to breed
4. Prioritize honestly.  Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to be honest with yourself.  You know when your holding back and not doing what your suppose to be doing,