As physically demanding and disciplined as the sport of swimming dictates, there are many circumstances that are well within our control. Hopefully swimmers understand their perfect practice habits, their dietary decisions, their structured schedules and their cerebral capacity for improvement are all ingredients for a bona-fide water warrior. And with these staples of a great swimmer, we never have to play defense. We shouldn't have to worry about fouling-out or send a replacement in the contest to minimize the damage from our opponent. Rarely do natural elements affect the final outcome and there aren't any bad hops or bad calls that preclude our ultimate outcome. It's all right in front of us.
A swimmer's accomplishments are largely a product of individual achievements strung together over a competition or season. The more we succeed as individuals, the better each individual feels. In swimming, if we want to feel good about our accomplishments, we do something about it. Personal improvement and the victories than ensue from such improvement largely set the climate for a team's success or demise. If you're on board with the notion that getting faster and winning is fun and you're willing to follow a recipe for fun, there's a good chance you're on a good team.
Victories, however, are not always discovered in meets or with a certificate. To the contrary, victories are planted in the thousands of opportunities in practice and in the preparation for a competition. It is our responsible to take advantage of those opportunities to help us mold our perception of ability and teamwork.
Today's Friday morning practice, our sixth official workout of the Fort Myers Experience, challenged the Bison in more ways that just an assessment of endurance and pain tolerance. The regiment required collaboration, enthusiasm and a willingness to perform at a high level for the good of the team. Without one of these ingredients, there is disconnect. Those individuals to incorporated them thrived.
Just as is the case in any sport, we you're put in an unfamiliar spot, there is always the chance for hesitation and angst. There were glimmers of brilliance from the Bison in executed the morning practice, but the unfamiliarity of a unique and challenging set caused uneasiness accompanied with its usual aches. Those ingredients are challenging to overcome in their present form, but not impossible.
We had many Bison elevate their level of performance to meet the mental and physical strain of a daunting task. The women's challenge looked like 17x100s fast on a goal time. The men negotiated their 8x200s, 4x100s and 1200 fast, highlighting their willingness to struggle for team benefit.
The steam punctuated the effort. |
#3 - Mohamed Bouzaghrane - already battling a fever, Ham continued his magnificent Florida trip by taking on the lion's share of responsibility for the men's team circuit...also had an excellent 500 free sprint.
#2 - Caleah Gregoire - commendable attitude and accomplishment throughout the most taxing portion of practice. Caleah's efforts were very encouraging for such a rigorous routine and a model for each teammates.
#1 - Matthew Jerome Calhoun - every practice has been met with persistence and improvement. Jerome's 4x200 IMs in Orange and 300 back sprint highlighted his marvelous efforts.
We have learned from each of our practices and this one was no different. We'll be back for more in the afternoon...
No comments:
Post a Comment