By Emily Messina, Swimming World College Intern
Many teams utilize the semester break to bulk up on winter training. From sunny, warm destinations to altitude training to staying disciplined on the home turf teams all around are gearing up for some tough and exhausting practices. It is a great opportunity to concentrate on the small things and to put in some more groundwork before championship meets start to come up quickly. This is a significant part of training and it is important to work hard, but also enjoy the time well spent.
Photo Courtesy: Stu Kukla
Whether your team gets to go on a training trip or you stay at your home pool to practice, this is a perfect time to get in some focused workouts. There are no other distractions like school or work that you have to deal with right now. There are probably no conflicts in your schedule so you can devote your time and attention to being an athlete. All your mind has to concentrate on is your swimming. Remember to focus on underwaters, stroke technique, and race strategy. In addition, this is the time to add in some more cross training. There is extra time for lifting, dryland, and cardio workouts.
There are going to be a lot of difficult practices in the near future. Now is the time to embody self-discipline and a strong work ethic. It can be challenging to recall all of the things that you have been practicing your whole life and have been specifically focusing on this season. Training trips are perfect for pushing yourself and reflecting all of the personal goals that you have set.
In order to really benefit from all this added time spent working out, it is important to rest. It is nice to be able to sleep freely without worrying about other work that has to be done. This allows your muscles to start the recovery process before the next practice. You will have more time to incorporate stretching and icing into your routine.
Photo Courtesy: Joey Soraghan
Another great thing to help you get through this tough training is your teammates. Training trips can be a great bonding experience, especially if everyone is rooming together. There is a lot of free time to spend getting to know each other, and especially if your team has divers, this is a great time to get to know them as well. Winter training is perfect for motivating and encouraging one another during difficult sets. It is nice to be able to rely on teammates for support. Moreover, it is a great opportunity to dig deep for some self-motivation and to see the strength that is inside of you.
Winter break is a time for rigorous training both in and out of the pool. It sets you up for a great month or two more of practicing before tapering off for big championship meets. In addition, it is a great opportunity to grow in school spirit and bond with your teammates. Work hard, have fun, and stay focused in order to get the most out of your winter training!
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
Great article and great insight. Enjoyed reading it as well as your other articles. Have a great training trip!!
Thanks Mr. Szekely!
Isabella Cesareo