By Nicole Farina, Swimming World College Intern.
College swimmers and high school club swimmers alike are itching for this time of the season. It’s finally time to slap on a fast suit (which might take a while, since you haven’t worn one in a few months), shave your legs and/or arms (which may also take a while), and get some well-deserved rest leading up to this mid-season meet, (that you’ve needed pretty much since you began training waaaay back a few months ago when the sun would set after practice was over).
This meet (and its heaven-sent taper) always seem to appear right when you need it. You’re about to hit your breaking point after weeks upon weeks of intense training in the pool and in the weight room. You might be feeling tired or discouraged with your races the past few meets, and are dying to feel good and swim fast. Well, look no further, because the time has arrived. But before you depart, here are a few things to remember to have the most successful mid-season taper meet possible, which in turn leads to a successful second half of your season.
1. Relax…
Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Remember, this meet is supposed to be fun! Any swimmer loves a chance to have a little rest and an opportunity to throw on a fast suit. Unless you’re aiming for a specific cut, there’s no need to get too worked up about this meet. It’s great practice for your end of the season focus races, and it is a perfect opportunity to learn what you should work on between now and then.
2. …But, still get after it.
Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya
Just because you should relax, does not mean you can’t absolutely tear it up in the pool. There is no rule that says you can’t go a season or personal best time here. In fact, with the right mind set, it’s totally possible. Don’t focus on the amount of rest you did (or didn’t) get. Don’t worry about the end result of the race. Instead, think of the race itself: it’s you versus the water, and you will win.
3. Make sure your head is in it.
Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
I’ve had some of my lifetime best swims at December meets, mostly because I went into the meet with an upbeat attitude, excited to race. And I swam smart. Even if I felt a little crappy during warmup, I made sure that didn’t change my outlook of my races for the rest of the day. Sometimes your body can fool you, and amaze you, all at the same time. Even when it’s horrifyingly painful and you feel like you’re swimming through clay, you look up at the clock with a grin on your face, because somehow you were able to swim fast. It’s one of the mysteries of this sport.
I often wonder just how much the psychological aspect plays into swimming. It can easily be argued that it’s just as—if not more—important as the physical aspect. Leading up to a big meet such as this one, you’ve done all that you can do for yourself in the pool. Now, it’s time to accept that.
The next step is to get in the right mindset. Once you’re there, you’re golden, and it will be smooth sailing ahead. Forget the aches that your body still feels. Forget the pain in your legs as you did pace in warmup when you still hit the time that you needed to go. Forget the doubts and the expectations. You’ve got nothing to lose, so get after it at your mid-season taper meet. You just might surprise yourself.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
Elissa Haake, can you show this to Kyle?