Predictions? Speculations? The Olympics start this week and being part of the Olympic family, I've been thinking about what to write about all of this. Well, first of all, I'm not a calling ANY races. Call it chicken, or whatever, the truth is, there is no telling what can happen there.
For as many years as I've been involved in this sport, it never ceases to amaze me how people approach their training. Over the years, I've been privileged to watch many world-class athletes train. Heck, a long time ago, I was even one of them, but the coolest part about being one of them was that I could witness -- at extremely close range -- how my training partners approached THEIR training.
Just two more practices before I leave for USMS LCM Nationals. I still wanted to crank it out a bit today, but take more rest between efforts.
When you do drills, it's always a good idea to combine them with swimming, so that you can actually transfer the things you're working on in the drills...over to your swimming. This practice allows you to do that. As a coach, I like this practice because it allows me to give the swimmers regular feedback on their drilling.
Sometimes, when you least expect it, good things start happening. Last week, we had another great opportunity to visit friends and to teach involved swimmers. After a good weekend of teaching, we even got to spend a day on the golf course for a great charity event.
When I swim by myself, my favorite type of practice is one where I swim several hundred yards, often drills with various kinds of equipment, THINKING about one or two aspects of my stroke. Then, I take off the equipment and crank out a few intervals, usually a short, descend set, in which I try to incorporate into my stroke all the things I was working on with the drills and equipment. I repeat this sequence of focused swimming...then speed, two or more times in a given practice. I don't usually give this kind of a practice to my Masters team, mostly because I think they're a bit more interested in cranking out yardage. But today I thought I'd try it...and they really enjoyed the practice.
It seems incongruous to be training for an LCM meet in a 20-yard pool, but what can you do? Tether! I actually like training in my local, 4-lane, 20-yard pool with no gutters, high walls and one lane line. I figure if I can deal with all waves and backwash and still keep my stroke smooth, I'll feel GREAT once I get to a competition pool.
I did this practice in a 20-yard pool (ideal for tether work), but you could do the same thing in a 25-yard pool, although it will be tougher to get the tether to stretch that extra 5 yards. If you're in a 25-yard pool, maybe do a few less repeats per set.
This is a great drill for all of you out there who don't like to think when you swim. All practices need to be a mixture of thought and pain. It's important to think about what you're doing when you swim, but sometimes you just have to let thought go and go for the burn. You won't get in peak physical condition without pushing your limits and expectations of what you can do.
Some of you may or may not have seen the show Orange County Chopper. I think that it is on the discovery channel Wednesday's at 10:30, or at least it used to be.
Last week I had the opportunity to spend a day with my kids driving go-karts. Those of you who know me, understand that when I'm not at the pool, I'd rather be driving something. The chance to drive karts is always something I enjoy.
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