Full Speed Ahead

We are off to the races. The next few weeks are very busy for not only our group but all of Silver Tide. This weekend we kick it off with the Silver Cup, then Red Deer (think SUN!!), Age Group Trials, Team Fun Meet, and then last but not least Age Group Champs. Remember to wear your team clothes and to come ready to show off your improved skills.

STAY POSITIVE!This is the time of the year where illnesses, exams, projects, field trips and nicer weather can take its toll. Be sure to maintain a positive attitude, and know that all of your hard work will pay off, both in the pool and in life. Staying positive is not only a characteristic for a great and successful swimmer, but it will make you feel better, and it can uplift those around you. Your friend in the next lane might be feeling down, and your positive outlook could mean a lot in those difficult and trying sets. Be a positive influence in the group! Lets help each other finish the year off successfully.

T.E.A.M. – This stands for Together Everyone Achieves More. Pushing each other in workout, having a positive attitude, and cheering on your team makes everyone better.


STAYING HEALTHY!
This is the time of year we like to increase our load by enjoying the weather outside. Try to prevent illnesses by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, staying hydrated and by washing your hands. Unfortunately, even if you are doing all of the right things to stay healthy, those pesky bugs can still latch on and make you sick. If this does in fact happen, play it smart. Continue to eat healthy, increase your fluid intake, and for goodness sake, get MORE rest! It is much better to get that rest early on and get yourself back to normal, than to run yourself into the ground and end up having to miss several workouts or more. Also with track and outdoor events remember to wear your sunscreen and always carry your water bottle.



If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.
Maya Angelou, Author and Poet

Dedication

Ultimately individual dedication hinges on individual motivation. The athletes who often demonstrate the most dedication are those who love the sport and work to see themselves improve.

Levels of Dedication--- Which one are you?

1. No Dedication: Showing up at practice when I feel like it.
2. Minimum Dedication: Showing up to mandatory practices.
3. Moderate Dedication: Working hard at mandatory practices and some optional practices.
4. High Dedication: Working hard at all available practices and doing a little bit extra outside of the pool
5. Total Dedication: Working hard at all available practices and doing everything you can outside of the pool (mental training, nutrition, strength/flexibility training…)

Thought to remember

It is not only what you do when I am watching that counts, but really what you do when I am not.

I can not watch all of you all the time, but you can make yourself better all the time! This includes in and out of the water. It all counts!

Saturday Morning Practices 6:30- 9:45

Saturday morning practices are an important part of the swim week. It gets you used to swimming at a time when most of this groups races happen, during heats! Over the last few weeks the group has had less than 10 swimmers (50%) showing up for the one morning practice that we have. This is not a group were the swim practices our optional. Some of the group has been telling me where they have been and thank you for that. It is the only two hour practice that the group has and all provincial level athletes are in need of the work that happens in these practices. They are all important as it prepares you for the next level of swimming and allows technique to be taught and practiced in the same practice time more efficiently. We have the best lane space we have all week and we need to take advantage of it. If there is something that you have that prevents you from committing to Saturday morning practices please let me know.