The Week Ahead: 11.9 to 11.14

Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.
Lou Holtz

Great things are done
by a series of small things
brought together.
Vincent Van Gogh

Second Shave Meet

An email will be sent out regarding the Second Shave Meet for swimmers. This is a "last chance" meet hosted by Holland at the Aquatic Center on Tuesday night. If you want to swim in it, you need to email Ben and show up for practice tomorrow. Note that ALL State Swimmers will be swimming a full line-up at the Second Shave Meet on Tuesday night instead of having a normal afternoon practice.  I chose to do this because we normally have a meet on Tuesday, so it keeps us in that routine, as well as the fact that we will have a number of others trying for first-time cuts as well. 

Diving Regionals
Congratulations to Emily Bolt and Areal Tolsma, who will be moving on to Regionals on Thursday. Hamilton is the host, so it's really close to us! The competition starts at 5:00pm. Let's get as many people there as possible to support our divers!

Taper Info (It's FINALLY here for our State group!)

In basic terms, a "taper" is a period of rest, the idea being that the athlete will be in peak shape and fully rested for the big meet. We will begin to back off yardage (NOT intensity) and it will gradually decrease throughout  the next two weeks.  We will also focus more on starts, turns, finishes, etc., all the small details that lead to faster swimming.  For us, this will be first evident this coming Wednesday.  Naturally, we will see a significant increase in daily energy levels, which is exactly what we want!  However, we need to store up these reserves, NOT increase other activities simply because we have the excess energy to do so.  Make sure to get as much sleep as usual (if not more!) and limit other vigorous activities.  What we do outside of the pool has as much of an impact on our performance as what we will be doing in practice.  Also, it's important to note that it's perfectly normal to feel a bit sluggish for a day or two during this time as our bodies will be undergoing a lot of adaptations due to the rest.

Monday 11.9

• Conference Crew swimming at Second-Shave is out at 5:00pm.
• State Squad out at 5:45pm.

Tuesday 11.10

• Second-Shave Meet (Holland Aqautic Center)
• ALL State Swimmers will be swimming a full line-up in this.
• On-deck by 4:55pm.
• Warm Up at 5:00pm  Meet Start @ 6:30pm.

Friday 11.13

• Swimmers need to bring their team suit from this year as well as a maroon team cap to practice.

Saturday 11.14

• LAST Saturday Practice!  CHANGE In the water from 7:30 to 9:30am.
• Breakfast plans TBA.