Sometimes I'm embarrassed...

I posted this partly because of its absurdity...but also as a tie in to some of the other discussions we have had on "how we train", periodization, etc. Although a very, very thin thread in its connection...part of the message here is that we should be more flexible and open in our own training and not become creatures of habit (in this case....to the extreme). How often do you do the same warm up for a meet? At the start of workout? How often do you go the same lane...do the same sets (John Smith)? Drive the same way to and from work? Gary Hall Jr. as been in a discussion on his website about how much of training/racing is mental.....he says in the realm of 90-95%. This came up when a poster asked him if it was true that in 2000 he only warmed up for 150yards (meters actually) before his 100 free...to which he answered "I swim till I feel good". I have swam this way most of my life....in fact there are days at workout where I swim the entire practice as a "warm up" because it just isn't there. I also never know what I'm going to do in a pre meet warm up other than feel good and try and dial in the turns/starting blocks. I also really tweek teammates because I get in a different practice lane at least 1-2x a week....I'll move into the slower lanes when I want to do more kicking or fartlec speed work...and it NEVER happens without someone getting freaked out by my being there...either I'm "to fast", "to big" or they want their "space". For me...I get to know more people on the team and I'm always aware of their place in the lane and avoid crowding them. Points being: - Always listen to your coach....but also to your own body. - "Play" with things, try breaking out of routines - If your really bold and want to test your mental strength as GHJ discusses, try "trusting" that you banked your training all season and do a different, taper and a different warm up at a meet...or swim new events. Life's to short to stay in the "same lane"!

yes, it is bothersome to show up to the pool at your regular time and have someone else in your lanes, or practice suddenly cancelled for whatever reason... but i can't understand how she couldn't take into consideration who and why those people were there. If that ever happened at my pool, I'd like to think I'd be on deck asking how I can help or talking to the guys and their therapists... and at the very least thanking them for their contributions. It'd probably end up being one of the more depressing workouts I'd've been to, but also probably one of the most rewarding. I sincerely hope this outburst had nothing to do with political reasons. This woman is probably old enough to know that it is not right to take your frustrations toward the government out on its military (ie troops returning home from Vietnam).

I....in fact there are days at workout where I swim the entire practice as a "warm up" because it just isn't there. ... Watch out, Paul, talk like this will get you in trouble with the "no garbage yardage" group!! Agree totally, as I have swum just about every event except 50 Free and 200 Fly and am thinking about 200 Fly for a future meet, just for fun! So when are you going to do a 200 Fly?

I'd like to think I'd be on deck asking how I can help or talking to the guys and their therapists... and at the very least thanking them for their contributions.That’s because you are a REAL Masters Swimmer!:applaud::notworthy::fish2: Not some grumpy lap swimmer.:cane:

They didn't mention whether the wounded soldiers were using noodles or not. If they were that lady's derision may have been deserved. Kidding, of course, but I bet there's another side to this story we're not hearing. The whole tone of that article was meant to inflame. If the woman actually took her anger out on the soldiers that was wrong, but maybe she simply complained to the facility that they should tell people if they change the schedule or something like that. I think most of us would agree we don't always get the full or accurate story from the media. About Paul's discussion of mixing things up/the mental component of swimming. There's a good interview with Bob Bowman on the Floswimming site where the interviewer asks him about the mental component in swimming. Bowman says for elite athletes it's close to 100% (so agrees with GH), but is much less of a factor the further down the ranks you go. You do have to have the talent and the technique. It's a great video. This is in part one of the interveiw, there's also a part two where he has a funny story about what he learned from Paul Bergen.

While I _might_ be able to understand some irritation over not having access to 'thier' lanes, I don't understand how they could be irritated for long much less have the GALL to express thier irritation in such a manner. Hopefully the Kharmic Wheel will run over them in some non-life-threatening manner. Totally uncalled for. Paul Oh, I don't know. A drowning might be in order here. :eek:

Oh, I don't know. A drowning might be in order here. :eek: If she floats, she's a witch!!! .

Watch out, Paul, talk like this will get you in trouble with the "no garbage yardage" group!! Agree totally, as I have swum just about every event except 50 Free and 200 Fly and am thinking about 200 Fly for a future meet, just for fun! So when are you going to do a 200 Fly? Or 200 evilstroke? Or some backstroke? I'm doing all 4 strokes at my next meet ... no IMs either. :thhbbb: I never do the same warm up. In fact, I don't even have a set meet warm up. I just swim and do stuff until I feel ready to go. 150 is pretty short though -- I need to loosen up a bit more.

If she floats, she's a witch!!! . THIS CALLS FOR WATER BOARDING! :dedhorse:

Simply put, that is totally messed up. She (the put-out swimmer) should get her perspectives in order and learn to do some dry-land work. Perhaps the soldiers in rehab should bring an armed escort with them next time and see who complains. Just messed up.