By Jacob Riley, Swimming World College Intern.
Now that it is March, most of our swim seasons are over and we are prepping for next season. Swimming is the last thing that some of us want to think about, but now is an important time to start setting our goals for next season. Here is a look at what factors are important to look at during this goal setting process.
1. Make your goals realistic!
Championship season just ended, giving most swimmers the motivation to drop a ton of time next year. Yet, it is important to keep these future goals within what is possible.
This is one of the most crucial elements to making good goals for next season. Set your goals realistically so you can work out a plan on how to achieve them. For example, if you’re a 21.5 50 freestyler, don’t set your goal for next season to go a 19.99 (unless you really think you can drop a second and a half).
2. Talk to your coach about what they think are realistic goals for you for next season.
Photo Courtesy: Kalina Di Marco
Your coach knows where your training is and they should know what is realistic for next year. Ask your coach what the big improvements are that you need to make for your race for next year. These improvements should be what you focus on for next year in order to achieve your goals.
3. Optimize your training to help accomplish these goals.
Talk with your coach about how to optimize your training to make those changes. Figure out what will work for you and what will not. Most of us have enough years of experience to understand what types of training work for us, and what types of training do not.
Looking at your training for next year with your coach this early on in the process can help you get a head start on figuring out the best way to make your races the best that they can be.
If you take a look at these things and consciously try to work on implementing these points into your preparations for next season, you will most likely be more successful. Happy goal setting!
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
The suggestions you have made are indeed normal and logical. However, sometimes it is also worth to shake things up.
1) Review WHY you have performed the way you have.
2) Review WHEN you produced higher than normal performance.
3) Review WHAT you do to retain motivation.
4) Review WHO is the best coach to match your expectations, ambitions and personality
5) Review WHICH areas will create the best stepped change
6) Create a plan of HOW to make these improvements.
In addition to the above steps, consider different goal systems. For some goals it might be worth creating large ambitious goals that appear to everyone impossible and unrealistic. However, through stretching your performance levels you may get close!
Have a great season ahead