Week 12 - The End Is In Sight

DRIVE TO THE FINISH
We are approaching the end, but we are not there yet. Let's maintain our focus and intensity. There is still lots of work to be done.

As the next couple weeks go on, beginning on Wednesday, those swimmers that have not yet qualified for state will be done by 5:30. State qualifiers will continue with dryland and be in the pool until 6:00 for another week.



THE UPCOMING WEEK
Monday, February 15 - Practice from 7-10 tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, February 16, Meet @ Holland. Athletes should be on deck by 5:20

Ready for Taper?
During the next two weeks swimmers (Those not qualified for state) begin the taper portion of the season. Taper is that time of the year when workouts change. Yardage decreases while intensity and speed increase with the intent of preparing and "resting" the body for the championship portion of the season. If you want a little more detail about taper, here is a nice little article that explains it well.

Swimmers should have tights to wear at practice beginning Wednesday the 18th.
I suggest tights that are nylon and footless (hemmed at the ankle), not heavy "winter" tights.

• Tights are used to enhance drag during taper, but heavy winter tights provide too much drag. The footless tights don't unravel during the two weeks or so of swimming with them on.

HEALTHY END - We have been hit with a few illnesses over the last week. As we approach the championship portion of our season, it is more important than ever to be aware of the things we need to do to stay healthy and perform at our peak. Back in December I added a post to this blog with health tips. It included all the basics, but had some additional tops to help us stay healthy. 

Here is a link to that health information - Read it and try to hold to some of the suggestions.


LOOKING AHEAD
Conference Meet @ Zeeland February 26 & 27
Below is basic time information. I will get more specific information out as the meet gets closer.

• Prelims on Friday, February 26 
• Diving warm-ups 12:00 p.m. (Divers will be dismissed after 3rd Period)
• Stands Open 1:30 
• Diving Preliminaries and Semi-Finals 2:00 p.m. 
• Swimming warm-ups 3:00 p.m. (Swimmers will be dismissed after 7th Period)
• Stands Open 3:30 
• Swimming Preliminaries begin 5:00 p.m. 

• Finals on Saturday, February 27 
• Swimming & Diving warm-ups 10:00 a.m. 
• Stands Open 10:30 
• FINALS BEGIN (Swimming & Diving) 12:00 p.m. 

Second Chance Meet Hosted by Holland - Tuesday, March 1
The entire team to swim this meet. This will be a final meet for some, but it gives athletes a chance to swim events that they did not get to swim at the Conference meet. This means one more practice day and one more meet day while fully tapered.