The Week Ahead: 11.7 to 11.12

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, 

but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.

Bruce Lee

Some people want it to happen...
...some wish it would happen...
...others MAKE it happen.

Michael Jordan

Second Shave Meet

I have talked to some swimmers about competing in the Second Shave Meet. 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. Our State girls will talk about Second Shave on Monday. I discussed it with Engbers last week but we forgot to talk about it on Thursday.

Diving Regionals
Congratulations to Emily Bolt, who will be moving on to Regionals on Thursday at East Grand Rapids. The competition starts at 5:00pm. Ben will be driving a van to EGR after practice on Thursday with those who want to watch.

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 11.7

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

Tuesday 11.8

• Second-Shave Meet (Holland Aqautic Center)
• Warm Up at 5:30pm  Meet Start @ 6:30pm.

Thursday 11.10

• Diving Regionals @ EGR.
• Warm Up at 3:00pm.
• Meet Start at 5:00pm.
• Top 12 make it on to the State Meet.

Friday 11.11

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

Saturday 11.12

• LAST Saturday Practice!  In the water from 9:00 to 11:00am.
• Breakfast plans TBA.