Awards Banquet

Awards are a good thing to recognize efforts and achievements above and beyond the norm.. They allow us to relive the past and look forward to the future. Some people get caught up in the award and forget that not everyone or everything needs to be rewarded... somethings have their own rewards... Perfect attendance allows you to know that you did everything you could to be part of the training process... it's reward better performanc and no doubt. Most improved allows you to increase your level of performance beyond the average and jump towards your goals... you don't need an award as the results are their own reward. Many people want to be recognized and feel bitter that they are not, really the only thing that matters is how you feel about your past performances and what you are going to do in the future. Rankings/Place etc are only part of the picture. Use the entire picture to get a long term success instead of a short term one.
GMAC is full of great people, families and athletes and it is good to get together and celebrate that... congratulations to everyone on their last season now lets see where we are going for 2008-09

Olympics

I have had a lot of people speak to me about technical or tactical things they have seen on the coverage of the Olympic Games over the past few days. My answer is always the same. Everyone is different and just because it works for them doesn't mean you should make the change. Maybe these swimmer's coach has tried to get them to learn certain skills unsuccessfully(been there, done that). These full grown, more experienced and much faster swimmers are not to be an example of age group swimming and we should stick to the plans we have for proper strokes and turns.
Instead lets watch and find people who are doing the skills like we have worked on. Long tight streamlines, kicks off their walls, good strong finishes etc. Lets visualize our strokes, races and training and feed off the energy of the games. Make this motivation for a great start to the 2008-09 season. Put into motion your plan, where will you be when the Olympics are in London in four years? I feel motivated to have my best year ever, do you?

How to get ready for a great Season

With one month to go till the 2008-09 Swim Season begins, it may be time to start thinking about how you can ensure a great season.
#1. Get active! If you have not been doing an organized sport this summer get started on some fitness so you are ready for the season. Don't have any ideas what you should be doing? E-mail me and I will get you started.
#2. Get organized! Get your schedule penciled in for workouts, school and other activities so you get a good balance and still have enough energy to reach your goals. Set up your system for packing and unpacking your swim bag. A place for everything so you never forget anything!
#3. Get Healthy! Are you sleeping enough, eating well and so on. Set some goals on eating enough protien, number of vegtables and fruits to eat each day, etc.

No Need to get in the pool, BUT since it is summer and you may want to get some swimming in... work on kicking! Streamline kickouts, kicking with and without a board, kicking fast, kicking long, all types of kick. Work on streamlines and push offs as well.