The Week Ahead: 10.24 to 10.29

It is not the straining for great things that is most effective;

it is the doing of the little things, the common duties, a little better and better.

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

...and here we are, the week of our last dual meet! The season wraps up quickly from here, so be sure to cherish each moment we have left, from the laughs and goofy comments to every single pushoff and approach.  As we near the end of the season, it's easy to get ahead of ourselves and start focusing more on the long-term goals we set back in August that we're hoping to achieve. We can use those as fuel for sure, but we also need to make sure that we stay with the process and are attentive to the day-to-day, little details of our swimming and diving. If we can stick to that process, those are the little stepping stones that will lead us to achieving our ultimate goals.

Taper Info
This is the time our Conference Crew has been waiting for!  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 finally being in a state of true rest.

This week, everyone will still get out at normal times. Next week is when the Conference Crew will be getting out a little earlier.

Tuesday 10.25

• AWAY Meet @ Hamilton
• Athletes need to be in the lobby for Devotions at 5:10pm for devotions.
• Warm Up at 5:30pm. Meet Start at 6:30pm.
• TRANSPORTATION CHANGE!
• Parents, please check your email for a transportation release form that I sent out on Sunday. Hamilton is typically a location that HC provides transportation for, but it's close enough and that I feel our girls providing their own transportation makes things easier for many families. Please fill that form out ASAP!

Thursday 10.27 through Saturday 10.29

• Our typical locker-rooms will be unavailable as the HCAC decorates them for their annual Halloween extravaganza. Please remove any necessary items on Wednesday night after practice and bring them with you each day through the end of the week.

Saturday 10.29

• Our last full TEAM Saturday practice... :(
• CHANGE! We will be in the water from 9:00 to 11:00am with breakfast to follow, so plan rides accordingly.