New Year’s resolutions bring promise, hope, a clean slate and a new beginning. Many will try but most will fail. Here at The Houstonian, we are fortunate to have a family of "doers” to work out with.
As one reflects on previous years we always know subconsciously what GOALS we need to work on. We just need that extra push of motivation to get started to make the change. Ownership of one’s outcome, fear of failure, fear of success, lack of motivation, etc. - all of these factors affect our outcome and how we go about attacking perceived objections.
As a coach, resolutions reveal the obvious things we need to work on. However, we are often too stubborn to face, accept or attack our weaknesses.
SWIMMERS’ RESOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
DO YOUR UNDERWATER STREAMLINES & KICKOUTS
Easy to rectify and a valuable aspect of each length you swim.
The fastest part of any swim is off the walls and the start. The streamline & kickout is in essence a chance to rest your arms while in motion to save time and energy. So, do them. You will gain an advantage.
BREATH CONTROL
Some people hold their breath while swimming and this is NO BUENO. Breathing every three strokes prevents hypoxia and allows for stroke balance or symmetry on freestyle. One must exhale while your face is submerged so you can take an ample breath without going into a hypoxic or an oxygen-starved state. Relax underwater, blow out through the nose and mouth (hum if you must), breathe with correct timing to improve your experience. Don’t make things harder by holding your breath more than necessary.
WORKING ON WEAKNESS (INBALANCES) OF STROKE
Your weak stroke is weak for a reason. Most often because we avoid working on it because of discomfort or angst. Most swimmers have had coaches or teammates ask you to work on specific things - body roll, finishing your stroke, gliding, hand placement, breathing pattern, kicks, turns, etc.… Most coaches will give drills for you to use as instruments to correct your stroke or mechanical deficiencies. It is up to the athlete to use these tips or drills as tools for improvement. Incorporate drills and pay attention to your weaknesses.
EATING RIGHT
At a "Health Club,” we assume that we know what is right to eat. Balanced meals need to be balanced. Eat proteins, fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. Exercise effectively and you will see results. Food is fuel.
REST
An amazing way to recover, prevent injury and illness, get rid of anxiety and STRESS.
Some athletes will overtrain the body and don’t understand why they are not improving. Rest works. Working out 3 times a week is usually for maintenance, 3-5 times a week is building. Keep things in perspective. If you are working out more than 7+ times a week, I hope you are resting. College and professional athletes work out in this realm.
HYDRATION
Water is cooling, helps transport oxygen, nutrients and by-products, buffers lactic acid and provides some satiety. Make sure to hydrate and do this often. Monitor your hydration by being aware of your urine color (the lighter the color, the better).
WORK TURNS
Often overlooked by coaches and athletes.
Flip turns and turns on the wall are critical areas where a swimmer can make an enormous difference in performance. Sometimes athletes and coaches are myopic about training the athlete to swim faster, longer or smarter. However, the smart way to make up time and be more energy efficient is by using walls and turns to your advantage.
CREATE RELATIONSHIPS
Make it a goal of yours to become a "teammate”. We are in Texas and we are an affable and approachable bunch. Remember, it’s easier to work out in a group than by yourself. Encourage one another. Besides if the workout is boring and hard, you and your teammate have something in common. Once you start and create a relationship with your instructor and teammates, things will start to fall into place. A sense of belonging takes over and the anxiety of being the "new kid” goes away.
Happy 2022 and ‘Just Keep Swimming’!!!
- Coach Pearson
By Brian Pearson, Lead Swim Coach