Swimming VS Finals

In the war between swimming and finals, finals always win.  always.  Don't skimp on studying for an after practice nap or a doubles practice.  As your family probably says, "school comes first."  It's true.  Below are some of my tips for handling swimming during finals.

• School comes first.  You're not going to school for a degree in swimming, so spend your time studying and writing papers for the subjects you're earning credits for.
• Plan out which practices you're going to attend.  During finals week, some coaches offer a morning practice and afternoon practice.  Look at your finals schedule and plan out your swimming time around your studying time-- not the other way around.  If you have one final, go to one practice, but if you have two finals, don't go to any.  Spend that extra time studying.
• Don't put too much thought into it.  During finals, your brain is probably fried.  Put in a good practice, but don't fry your brain even more by trying to keep track of pace, stroke counts, heart rates, etc.
• Don't stress the small stuff.  Don't stress out if you're not making those 100's on 1:15, or if you're not decending a set of 50's.  Get in the pool to loosen up and stay in shape.  Spend your energy studying and putting the last touches on your final papers.

The main point of this blog post is that Finals come first.  Swimming has to take the back seat.  Most schools hold a certain GPA that students have to maintain in order to compete.  It wouldn't make sense to blow off studying- school costs too much money, and if you bomb your finals, you might not be able to swim regardless.

Go to a practice that works with your study schedule.  Study.  Study.  Do well on your papers and finals.  And after finals, you can relax by swimming fast, well, and swiftly. :)

The Turkey Trot

I'm home for the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving.  I have finally gotten a chance to see my friends and family.  And since it is Thanksgiving, there is one thing that always comes to mind-- "The Turkey Trot 10,000."  Instead of tips, pointers, and my opinions, I think today is a perfect day for nostalgia.

My club swim coach made up a swim set dubbed, "The Turkey Trot 10,000."  Unfortunately, since I have been swimming with him for what seems to be eons, I have completed this torturous, and sometimes monotonous set numerous times.

The name gives it away-- "10,000"-- ten thousand yards. woo hoo (said without the least bit of enthusiasm).

Looking back on the first few times I did this set, the Turkey Trot had a few monotonous options.  We had our choice of 400x25, 200x50, 100x100, 50x200, 20x500.  I'm not sure for certain- but I believe most were on a 1:20 pace.

I can proudly say that I have completed both the 400x25s and the 100x100s.  I don't remember the 25s too much, but I can recall swimming the 100s.  I remember trying to count, make the set fun, and somehow convince myself that I was going to be done soon.  I remember trying to squeeze a sip of Gatorade in every chance I got-- 400 laps is no joke.  I also remember picking the 100s by myself.  If you're ever swimming 10,000-- get a partner and encourage each other-- because 10,000 yards takes a long time.

After those experiences, the option of an actual set came into play.  That wasn't as bad.  I remember having kicking and swimming incorporated into the set-- even some 25s here and there. 400 laps is 400 laps, but at least distances and times were constantly changing.

After-- after touching the glorious wall for the last time, After realizing that you don't have to swim one more gosh darn lap (until tomorrow), After having your body slightly collapse from all the work you put it through -- you hop out of the pool for bagels!  My coach, assistant coach, helpful parent, or swimmer usually brings bagel and spreads.. The best part.  After all, a swimmer's body needs replenishment after that sort of workout/ torture.

The Turkey Trot is a wonderful thing to look back on.  Especially since now that I am in college, I am forced to miss this event for my own college team practice.  I miss the thought of the Turkey Trot and the thought of being done.  But, honestly, I'm glad I have a legitimate excuse for missing the Turkey Trot.  ...Maybe next year ;)

Going Home for the Holidays

Usually every school has a Thanksgiving break during the week of Thanksgiving.  And usually, practice is not mandatory during this time.  But, it's not always a good idea to skip out on swimming practice for a whole week.  You've been training for months, in and out of the pool, and your meet season might have already started.  Don't let your hard work go to waste by sitting around and doing nothing but consuming turkey for the next seven days.  Here are some things to keep you in shape and swimming ready:

• Go to practice.
• Even though the practice isn't mandatory, it's best to go anyways.  Take a couple hours out of your relaxing day to workout and be dedicated.  Contact your coach to see if he is still holding non-mandatory practices.
• Swim with your club team
• If you're in college, and you're going home for the holidays, call your old high school or club swimming coach and ask about their practice schedule.  Most likely, your coach will welcome your work ethic and invite you to swim for the week.  It's a good way to switch up your usual workout routine and catch up with some old swimming coaches and friends.
• Go to the YMCA
• If you don't have access to a coach and team, go to a pool.  Have your coach e-mail you sets to do for the week, and take them to the YMCA pool.  Be your own coach.  Have fun and train.
• Go to the gym
• If you can't get to the pool, go to the gym.  Get on a treadmill, go for a run, ride a bike, do a workout dvd, do something!

All in all, don't sit around all week.  Don't let your training go to waste-- do something!
Enjoy Thanksgiving, and work hard!  Your dedication will leave you swimming fast, well, and swiftly :)

Present Time

Even though Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived, Christmas ads, decorations, and music seems to be everywhere.  So, what should you get your swimmer-friend?  What do they need?

My website of choice is swimoutlet.com.  I'm not an affiliate for them-- I just believe their website offers the best deals, the best descriptions, and the best options.  Below are some gifts I think are perfect for any woman competitive swimmer.

 These are the Speedo Optimus Training Fins.  They sell for $19.95.  These are great fins.  The blade on the fin is not too long and not as short as Zoomer fins.  The foot pockets are soft and don't rub against my heels, leaving blisters.  A great fin and a great present!

  

This is the Nike Polyester Cut- Out Tank.  It is made from 100% polyester and has an open back style.  I love this suit.  Since it is made from 100% polyester, it will last you for over a year-- making the $49.95 price range extremely reasonable.  With many colors to choose from, I would definitely recommend this suit to any competitive swimmer who trains daily!

This is the Timex Ironman 30 Lap.  This watch has a myriad of features, including 30 lap memory recall, 99 lap counter, 3 separate alarms, and a top pusher for easy lap and split options.  This $34.95 price tag can be put to good use at practice and at meets.  I like how this watch can recall up to 30 lap times-- making it easy to record many splits.  Check out other great watches at swimoutlet.com to find which one works best for you!

This is the TYR Alliance Team Backpack II.  As an owner of this backpack, I love it.  The goggle pouch is big enough to hold all of my extra caps and goggles, and the wet pocket is definitely big enough to hold my wet towels.  And with all of that, the dry, main compartment still has room to hold clothes and other necessities.  The side pockets are great to put shampoo and conditioner.  For $37.50, this is a great bag; there are many color options to choose from!

These are the Womens' Speedo Sport Pool Thong II.  This is a great sandal to wear while walking around the pool deck at swim meets or showering off in the locker rooms.  The sandal is lightweight, and it sports a diamond cushion pattern.  These sandals are $18.95 and are available in pink, blue, or black.  A great alternative to walking around deck barefoot!





There are some early Christmas present ideas for swimmers.  These items will keep you swimming fast, well, and swiftly :)

Being a Team Player

From the outside, swimming looks like an "individual sport," mostly individual events, and not much need for a close, interconnected team.  But, unless you train and compete by yourself, that is quite the opposite.  A swimmer has a coach and a team full of other swimmers.  A team wins swim meets by a combined score of all the points scored in each event, and relays win by four people coming together, swimming fast, and grabbing first place.  This to me, looks like "team" is greatly incorporated into the sport of swimming.

Since swimming is a team sport, below are some ways to make sure you are not only an individual swimmer, but also a team player.

• Talk to your coach
•  Get to know your coach and let him get to know you.  Communicate your goals and listen to his goals that he has for you, along with his goals for the team.  Communication is key to a solid coach- swimmer relationship.
• Get to know every person on your team
• Not just your lane mates, everyone.  Find the roster online, and send Facebook friend requests out.  Talk to everyone while hanging out before practice.  Introduce yourself, ask about interests, be friendly-- after all, these people will be your teammates all season, why not make them your friends too? :)
• Host team events
• Encourage team bonding by hosting a pasta party or movie night.  It's a great way for everyone to mingle outside of the pool.
• Go to team events
• if you're not hosting the event, make sure you attend.  Attendance is key during a team event.  The more people there, the more teammates to talk to and hang out with.
• Cheer for everyone
• Cheer for all of your teammates at a swim meet, not just your best friend.  Learn all of your teammates' names and cheer them on in their events! :)
• Be happy
• Spread the cheer!  Be positive and encouraging, and hopefully, it'll spread!  Create a positive team spirit.

So, go to practice and be a team player.  Be positive and swim fast, well, and swiftly! :)

In One Ear & Out the Other

When I swim at practice with my team, my coach watches us, and gives feedback if needed once we get back to the wall.  I nod, say "ok, I'll try it on this one."  And then when I get back to the wall again, I get more feedback.  the process is on going.

To others, it's in one ear and out the other.

Now, all of that is about to change.  Avida Sports in Harper Woods developed a revolutionary system.

Each swimmer, can wear a mini computer in the form of two sensors, that both resemble watches, placed on each wrist.  Another sensor is placed under the swimmer's swim cap along with an earpiece.  This device calculates stroke count, lap time, acceleration, and when they are doing certain behaviors. 

Outside of the water, the coaches study the notebook sized computers that report the data from the sensors.  This computer can transmit audio feedback automatically.  After each lap, the swimmer can hear their stroke count and lap time.  That way, the swimmer can automatically know if she is on track, or if she needs to make adjustments.  The coach is also able to communicate to the swimmer, which can also be heard through the swimmer's earpiece.

This real time feedback is beneficial.  The swimmer can make adjustments immediately while she is swimming, and the coach can continuously comment.  With real time results, this could lead to faster stroke improvements, leading to faster swimming.

I am excited to hear about this new piece of technology!  Hopefully, it will be available to all in the future.  Every team and coach can benefit from this.  A coach can talk, a specific swimmer can hear him, make adjustments, and those adjustments displayed consistently can lead to faster swimming!

I would love to try it!  It would leave me swimming fast, well, and swiftly! :)

To check out the article, click here! :  http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/avida-sports-introduces-breakthrough-technology-that-will-revolutionize-training-in-sports

Silicone VS Latex

One necessity while swimming is a swim cap.  The cap keeps your hair relatively dry, protects your hair from chlorine and other harmful chemicals, and keeps your hair out of your face while you are swimming.  Caps come in many different fabrics, but mostly for training and competitive purposes, latex and silicone are the most popular.  Swimmers have their preferences between the two, and there are many differences between the different fabrics.

• Latex Caps
• Less expensive.  These caps usually are priced around $2- $6.
• Because they are made of thin latex, the cap usually does not last for an extremely long period of time
• The latex material fits snugly and does not slip off of your head too easily while swimming for long periods of time.

• Silicone Caps
• Durable material makes these caps last longer than latex caps
• A little more pricey, usually in the $10- $15 range.
• Silicone caps are usually non-allergenic
• Silicone caps do not pull your hair as much as latex, making them more susceptible to slip off.

Neither of these caps are a good choice unless you take care of them properly. Be sure to dry out your cap after every use so that the cap does not get stuck together.  I would also reccomend putting baby powder in caps that you are not using to keep them fresh.

My personal choice of cap would be a latex cap.  The cap fits on my head better, and provides me with a more secure fit.  My caps do break occasionally, but that means that I can wear a cool new cap :).  Try both of them out.  See which one fits you best, keeping you swimming fast, well, and swiftly :)

Lane Etiquette

Swimmers spend tons of time in the pool.  At practices, we usually stick to the same lane with the same group of people.  We usually become close to that group of people, and it becomes "our lane." However, it's not always rainbows and sunshine swimming with other people in a lane.  There are numerous rules that every swimmer should abide by.  If not, your lanemates will probably resent you for swimming idiotically.  For some of you who aren't quite sure about these rules, here are some rules to lane etiquette that I find important.

• Swim on the RIGHT side of the lane.  Unless you're swimming backstroke, then it's your left side.  Don't swim in the middle.  Circle swimming requires all swimmers to swim in a circle- not battle for the middle of the lane.  Stick to your side and stay there.
• Pass on the LEFT.  If you need to pass someone, pass on the left side.  I prefer it when a person taps my foot before she passes me, so I know not to flip turn and collide with that person.  Pass on the left, don't creep up on the right and jam yourself between a person and the lane line.
• Don't draft.  Especially for a whole set.  No one is happy when a swimmer stays on their feet during the set and doesn't want to go ahead of them.  If the lead swimmer is working hard to make the set, so should everyone else.  The second person shouldn't be on the leader's toes, drafting effortlessly the whole way.
• Don't sit on the wall.  Don't pretend to fix your goggles for a 400.  Everyone knows the set is hard, but everyone else sticks through it.  Work hard throughout the whole set, and don't give yourself breaks unless you really need to.  The hard work will pay off.
• Don't leave early.  If your lane is spaced out 5 seconds apart, leave 5 seconds after the person in front of you, not 3.  It not only puts you up ahead on someone's toes, but it also annoys the person behind you.  Everything runs more smoothly if you leave on the correct time.

 Those are a few points in lane etiquette.  Following these will leave you swimming well, fast, and swiftly. :)

Pre- Swim Meet Tips

Swim meets are a big deal.  They are a place to display your talent and prove that all of the hard work you put in at practices paid off.  I spend what seems to be a million hours in the pool each week, so I would like to compete well.  Besides practices, there are other things that go into preparation for a meet.  Some swimmers have pre- meet rituals while others just like things done a certain way.  Below are some things I do, or my friends do, to prepare for a meet.  I suggest trying some to see what works for you! :)

• Eat Pasta.  Pasta is high in carbohydrates and low in protein.  The carbohydrates provide energy for your muscles and nervous system, and fuel for your metabolism
• Pack your bag the night before.  Pack everything.  Pack towels, an extra shirt, shorts, and your team's warm- up jacket and pants.  Double check that your goggles, bathing cap, and bathing suit are packed in your swim bag.
• Make sure you have enough Gatorade and Powerbars for the meet.  Check the night before that you have enough liquids and snacks for the meet.  No one wants to go to the grocery store for these things early in the morning.
• Visualize.  This can be done the night before, the day of the meet, or minutes before your race.  Sit down, relax, and visualize your race.  You have the ability to control how your race will play out.  Many people believe that if they visualize their perfect race, their mind will program itself to perform that perfect race.
• Go to bed early.  Get your eight hours of sleep so that you're well rested the next day.  You don't want to be sleepy when you step up on the blocks.
• Eat breakfast.  I don't think it's wise to swim on an empty stomach.  But, I also don't advise anyone to eat 5 pancakes, 6 slices of french toast, and bacon.  I usually eat eggs and toast or oatmeal and a banana.  Something light and healthy will do the trick.
• Stretch.  Some swimmers are more relaxed and loose after they stretch.  This can be helpful if you're feeling tense the night before or the morning of the swim meet.
• Relax.  Swimming is supposed to be fun.  Relax and enjoy yourself.

I follow most of these tips, and I find them all very helpful.  Try some out and see what works best so that you can swim well, fast, and swiftly at your next meet! :)