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"!

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"!