HAKUNA MATATA

Did you all know that most of your races are won or lost before you even leave the blocks. Most of the time what determines whether you go fast or not happens between your ears. Think back to when you have had a good race, you probably had some of that positive "self talk" going on, or maybe there was little thinking going on and you hopped up dove in and raced. On the other hand what about those bad swims, was there some negative talk going on such as I'm tired, I have to lower my time, or maybe I don't feel good, or I don't like this lane, or I have to race that person. Remember those are the things you write on that index card and put them in a box and leave in your bedroom where they can't harm you. The little green monster that we have talked about that is always lurking around. Deal with him before you arrive at the meet.

Don't overthink things this weekend at the meet. Remember the song from THE LION KING "Hakuna Matata" which means worry free go ahead and listan to it a couple of times. The nervousness that you have before your races doesn't come from your opponent, or the conditions of the pool, or your coach which I guess is me. It all originates from one person YOU! Have you ever wondered why in your off events or distances you always have a pretty good result, it comes from the fact that you aren't expecting great things, where as in your events you believe you own them and have to go fast and you expect it. Shift your focus this weekend from having to get a certain time to racing, beating people and having fun. HAKUNA MATATA. Good luck and SWIM FAST and be happy. Mike

 

THE VILLAGE OF CU CHI KNOW AS THE IRON TRIANGLE

Today we went back into the country outside of Saigon to visit sites, and one of these sites was the Cu Chi tunnels. This is where the local people lived. They were sympathetic to the north and so they were know as the VC. This land is very dense with a magnificent tree cover and the people worked the land. The ground is red clay and looks and feels like concrete. The local people had a tunnel system under ground where they would live during the day and would only come out during the night to gather supplies, work the land and fight the Americans. These tunnels went to Saigon (20-30 miles away) and all the way to the river. West they extended into Cambodia and north all the way up along the Ho Chi Ming trail. They were 3 and 4 levels, with dining rooms, sleeping areas and even hospitals. Here are some pictures they were only big enough where even some of you would have trouble moving around. They made them a little wider so tourists could go through, but even so I had to crawl on my belly when going through.

The trail and landscape

 

 

The uniforms for men and woman made in tunnels a lot of times using materials off americans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traps along the path not to necessary kill but to mame people

 

Giant craters are all over the place left by our bombers. Couldn't tell hell deep they were so they had me crawl in one to give a better perspective, but after everyone got their pictures they left me there. Great

This is a normal meal they would have in the tunnel and yes I tried it and it wasn't steak and potatoes. Tasted like rubber. Maybe a little sauce would have helped. They also ate it to stay small and maneuver in the tunnels.

They would use these to poke guns out and ambush soliders

 

Left over American bombs

 

That's your lesson for today. Rember HAKUNA MATATA SWIM FAST AND HAVE FUN. MIKE

 

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Momma son and tootsie pops

Today we visited an American air base and helicopter base. After talking to a "mamma som" ( you don't talk to the men they don't remember and just say yes and lie) we found the site where one of the men served. I brought things over to give to the kids and they seem to like coins and today I broke open the tootsie pops but of course I had to teach them there was a surprise in the center. He was no different than you all are wanted one of each color. The pictures are the gides mama sun the base, a pieces of old sand bags from the bunkers , razor wire left from the fence, and her plantation.

 

 

This is the mama son who remembers the Americans putting her on a cart daily to go to school, giving her a kiss and some gum. She waited almost 50 years for another kiss and lots of packs of gum.

 

 

 

 

Now we are off to the tunnels of CU CHI

 

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WHICH MEET TO SWIM

There are many of you who have qualifying times in both JO's and either JUNIOR/SENIOR CHAMPS. Our strategy for these upcoming meets should be all 14 and unders should turn there focus toward JO's and all the others should look towards JUNIOR and SENIOR CHAMPS. If you have multiple events that you have qualified for you should first pick your best events and line them up. After doing this try to arrange them so that you are swimming only 2 a day. We will be entering relays at this meet also. If there are any questions please ask.

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Today we continued down the coast, and this first picture is of one of the largest statues of Jesus in the word overlooking the coast. It was over 750 steps up to the top. Had my workout for the day.

 

 

The next picture is of a temple built for one of the first rulers in Vietnam. Also the whale is scared to the people so it can not be hunted.

 

 

This afternoon we get onto a boat and head out onto the Mekong river to go into the delta.

 

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HIGH SCHOOL REGIONS AND SNOW MEET

I have been able to see the results of high school regions and all of you were outstanding. When thinking about your times I want you to remember the "Big Picture", which is Heather and I had to rest you a little going into districts because from talking to all of you that was the big meet for your high school season. We went into the meet shaved and with a little taper, and anything after that was "icing on the cake. So keep your heads up and get back to training for our champioship season in March. I am really proud of all of you and how you handled your high school seasons, especially you "baby freshman".

JOB WELL DONE AND LETS MOVE FORWARD TO THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR SEASON

I just had a chance to look at the results from the snow meet, and it looks like you all swam great. I notice that there were a lot of JO cuts achieved and quite a few that drop time and came very close. Now I hope that for those of you who came close are doing them this weekend and as your heat is coming up ask yourself "Why not me today'". Go into these races and forget times and just race and win those heats everything else will sort itself out. Do not over think the situation just race and have fun.

Good luck swim fast and have fun with it !!!

As of now we are on a bus heading south along the coastline stopping at a few important sites for the vetern as we go. The first was a place called Camp Pitt where one of the guys friend from high school was KIA. We had to walk about four miles to get to the site and upon arriving we found a family where the father is the police chief in the province and who's father fought for the NVA at the site. Upon arriving they conducted a very nice ceremony. Using coordinates and GPS they found the exact spot within 30 yards. The front gate of the fort where the American flag flew is now the entrance to his yard. Here are a couple of pictures of the site.

First picture is of hotel for this evening

 

 

 

 

 

The next stop was landing zone Betty (LZ BETTY) which was a huge base where a lot of action took place you can still see the runway and the helicopter pads and a old buncker.

 

 

LUNCH TODAY

 

Miss you all. Mike

 

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WHO NEEDS SNOW

 

I have been trying to get results from meet but have been unable to so I will have to wait a while. Hope it went well on Saturday. Remember I am 12 hours ahead

After another long bus ride which included stopping at the old U.S. Base which the Vietnam Army now operates out of including training of there Mig pilots. Needless to say we did get on so we had to adapt. We also went to the old hospital where our troops were sent who were sick and than they were sent back to the field. Two of the guys with us spent 18 months stationed there so it was pretty emotional watching them. Here are a couple of picture

 

 

 

Heading down the coast we stup at a Buddhist temple high on a mountain built centuries ago. Some of us hiked up and here are a few of those pictures.

 

 

Then back on the bus where we stopped at these sand dunes. Upon stopping I was greeted by some young boys renting "sleds" for three dollars to ride the dunes. Upon negotiating him down to a dollar which is 21,000 dong off I went. Did not go as plan I should have given him three and had him pull me up the dunes and push me back down.

 

 

Finally stopped for evening.

 

 

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Okay guys it's Friday night here, and those of you swimming Saturday in the snow meet I wanted to touch base. Remember take it one event at a time. Those of you swimming the 50 free remember the breathing that we worked on the past few weeks. For the older ones 1 or 2 down and 2 or 3 back. The younger ones 2 down 3'back. Any more than 5 breaths in a fifty is to much. Have that strong finishing kick. Turns Fast in and FAST off walls. Do not slow down going into turn, ATTACK THE WALLS!! Good luck

Now I told you all that I would keep you up on what I am doing. This is more than sitting around. After flying into Saigon and after touring the city we flew north into the central highlands landing at an old army air base. Upon landing there was no mistake that we were in a communist state. One of the first stops was a place called Camp Holloway which was a huge army air base less than 50 years ago. Today it is home to the Vietnam army. We actually walked around the old air strips and according to our guide that as close as they had ever gotten. As far as they knew we were the first Americans to stand on it since we left. However within 5 minutes we were approached by a Vietnamese soldier who made it very clear that we were not allowed to be there and had to leave. Somehow our Vietnamese guide talked us out of there. Funny thing is as we walked out we noticed the sign in a corner of the field saying RESTRICTED AREA KEEP OUT. and yes it was in English. Oh well.

There are 20 of us, 14 veterns, and 6 others. I told them that I wish you all could travel with us, because I was telling them how long it takes some of you to get going. We are told the bus leaves at 6 in the morning, well guess what they are all there at 5:45 ready.

My friend from Lee Graham asked if we knew how to cross the street, and of course he picked on me so off I went looking both ways and stopping in the middle of the street. Everyone just screams just go and stop looking. Upon surviving the crossing I found that unlike in America you do not look anywhere but forward and keep going, never stop. They will go around you. Here is a picture of a street. Picture 100's of these coming at you both ways, and then mix in buses cars and trucks and no lights. Pretty amazing

 

We made our way to the coast by bus and are now going down Highway1 stopping at certain places for each of the vetearns along wit many villages and some city

 

My swim today after lunch was between three islands starting on the right and ending on the left and no Lexi there was no fly during this swim

Saturday is a free day no travel will be diving in the South China Sea. Three dives two in the morning and a night dive. I miss all of you and I want to say Good Luck in your races this weekend Mike.

 

 

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