Champs Are Here!

The splash symphony at the pool has had a different melody this week. Monday marked the beginning of the last week of training before the New England 13-19 championship meet at MIT. Team meeting Monday was pretty powerful. Everyone got to say out loud what their meet goals were and after that, they all talked about what they were going to for the team this weekend. We heard many great voices all with really team oriented focus. Some of the best plans came from the crowd in the corner-Jessie, Lauren, Galen, Hadley, Emma and maybe a few others. They spoke up with pride about their plans to come to practice this weekend and stay in touch with teammates who were swimming. It was a great opportunity to highlight the long term team goals that require everyone to remain committed regardless of what point in the season we are in. We did some visualization as well to help to isolate the race in their minds and be able to really feel and see what they are doing!

There has been a TON of energy from the kids. Each day during dryland I have felt an increased impatience. No one really wants to intentionally goof off, but they are all itching to swim! It is pretty awesome. We have worked them hard on race pace and technique, reminding them over and over that they need to have every detail of their race down pat. It takes an enormous amount of focus and the athletes have attacked the challenge! We have also put the relays together to let them practice their starts. Thanks to Laura’s brilliant idea-“Relay Challenge 2009”, there is new motivation to race fast in the relays. There is a pizza party on the line for the first relay team to swim the Junior National qualifying time and there is an added buzz of competitiveness all around.


Tonight was the last night of practice before we set out tomorrow. We used the bands to “slingshot” the athletes for 25 yards, really giving them a feel for crazy speed! First, they had to swim to the end with the resistance band on. (Ok, so the coaches need amusement too!)

I am really looking forward to being on deck with these outstanding kids. They are ready to swim fast and represent GMA. They have set challenging goals and I know many will be achieved. See you at MIT!

- Eileen Hall