Peaking at the Right Time

Peaking at the Right Time

As our BSC Short Course season begins its' final month it is a great time to reflect on what the Team has accomplished to this point and look forward to the opportunities that await in the next few weeks. This Short Course season Barrington Swim Club athletes have set 21 Team Records, and qualified over 60 Individuals for Regionals, Championships and Sectionals. We have qualifier two Individuals and three Relays for the Indianapolis Grand Prix in March. You all should be really proud of how far you have come, as your Head Coach I know I am!

 

One of the sayings I like is, “ Always be Happy, Never be Satisfied.” I think there are two main elements to this saying that directly apply to BSC's end of season focus. First, is the idea that we need to draw joy and confidence from what we have done up to this point—Always be Happy. It is OK to look back on what has been accomplished and feel good about it. Feeling good about progress should spur us on to do more and do better in both training and competition. It should allow us to realize that all the hard work was worth it. It should give us confidence that nothing is impossible if we commit to achieving a goal. Secondly, we should be looking ahead to what can be accomplished in the future—Never be Satisfied. One of the things I have learned as a Coach working with elite athletes is that although they are confident about what they have done in the past they have an insatiable appetite for the next big challenge. I heard a talk Michael Phelps' coach Bob Bowman gave where Bob talked about a meeting he had with Michael after the Athens games in 2004. They were talking about what Michael swim at the Beijing games in 2008. About half way through the conversation Michael said, “ Stop Coach, You decide what I would do best in, and then train me for it. I know it will be possible.” It was Michael's confidence in himself and in his coach and Michael's relentless pursuit of the next challenge that helped drive him to that legendary Gold Medal performace at the Beijing games. As we look ahead to our last chance qualifying meets and our championship meets, lets continue to Train, continue to Race, and continue to Dream like our Goals are Attainable because if you Believe in yourself, and stay Focused—THEY ARE!!

 

Here are a couple of Helpful Tips to Peaking at the Right time/

  1. Sleep---Make Sure you are getting enough sleep—Especially on weekends. There is no sleep bank, if you sleep 4 hours on Friday night; sleeping 12 hours on Saturday night doesn't make up for it. Not sleeping properly will drastically effect your ability to recover for the next practice, and it will drastically reduce your ability to fight off sickness.

  2. Eat Healthy—With Cold and Flu season in full swing Nutrition becomes even more important. Stay away from soda and refined sugars as they are empty calories and they also reduce your immune system. Eat more fruits and vegetables! The vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables help boost your immune system and not only keep you from getting sick, but it also reduces the amount of time you are sick.

  3. Stay in your routine---Keep your regular practice schedule and intensity. Coming to practice less because you are “resting” is a sure way to fall out of your competition groove and have a sluggish performance. As the Team gets closer to Champs coaches will modify workouts to maximize each individual's performance. It is really important that every teammate is at practice in order for coaches to be able to make the little tweaks that make a big difference.

 

PRACTICE LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY!!

RACE LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY AT SECTIONALS, JUNIOR OLYMPICS and NATIONALS!!