"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."
Today's quote is a great one from Henry Ford. Oftentimes we (the coaches) hear a swimmer tell us they "can't" do something (I can't go that fast...I can't beat her...I can't make that interval...etc.). The most frustrating thing about this is the fact that they are making up their mind before they even make an attempt. Our job is to present swimmers with increasingly difficult challenges, both physical and mental in nature, to help them toward their goals and overall potential. But, as the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. We are providing the framework, the road to your goals. The swimmers have to take that first step down that road. There has to be a willingness to trust what the coaches are doing and even a "leap of faith" of forcing yourself to believe even when there is doubt in your mind. I have said before that every swimmer on this team is a lot faster than the best times currently associated with them. We have proved this various times in practice with different sets and get out swims. More than anything, the coaches believe in all of the swimmers.
Tomorrow marks the first round of championship meets with the New Jersey High School Meet of Champions. While swimmers will be representing their respective high school teams they are still also representing GPAC. What begins this weekend carries through the month of March from GCIT to Orlando and York, PA as well Maryland and Newark, Delaware. Now is the time to narrow your focus to two things: school and swimming. Conserve your energy outside of the pool by avoiding other physical activities and resting whenever possible. More than anything, get ready to swim fast!
No comments:
Post a Comment