End of the year is around the corner, are we being consistent??

Over the last few weeks both in practice and in meets, Y meets, and High School meets, one thing that keeps popping in my head is that I continue to see swimmers that are not being consistent with what they are doing both when racing at meets, and in practice. On the other hand I do see several of you that are being consistent in workouts, and we are seeing some great times in meets. Each evening in practice no matter if you are in the AGA or National training groups; we need to be consistent in our efforts at practice. How many perfect flip turns will you perform in practice, how many perfect streamlines, how many repeats of a certain set (25's 50'2 100's etc) will be done at the same time, and will you actually get your time. Will that time get faster each week?? Think how you learned how to add and subtract......you had to memorize simple "tables" until it was easy, same with spelling words, but then when it came test time, you did well, because you were memorizing the same thing each day. Relating this to swimming, if you are practicing a skill differently each day, how will you memorize it??
We are in the final phase of the year, where we need to be consistent at practice in order for all of our efforts to be seen at the end of year championship meets. You can not come to practice, and simply "go through motions" Each day needs to be a new challenge. I once heard a great quote from a swim coach "Repetition is the highest form of learning". I am sure when that coach made that statement; he was also thinking about CONSISTENT/PERFECT Repetition is the highest form of learning.
There will me 2-3 meets over the next 6-7 weeks where each of you will want to swim fast. How have you prepared yourself for this? NOT....How have your parents prepared you.....NOT....How have the coaches prepared you, but wake up tomorrow, and before you look out the window and see the sun, look in the mirror (we all know that I do it every day)......and say to yourself.....How am I preparing myself?? You are ultimately responsible for your success. And then when you have success, you are also the one who can celebrate.
As far as practices....I heard we had some very fast Timed 200's in AGB. I heard there were alot of emphasis on kicking and not breathing out of turns!! This is great.


Good luck to all of you 9 & Unders swimming in the Mini Meet on Sunday

Coach Mike