I have seen a lot of posts on this board about technique and training, all in the effort to swim faster. There’s a lot of good stuff out there in my opinion. However, one area which I always found beneficial to swimming faster was my pre-race ritual (for lack of a better term). I’m not talking about getting the proper amount of sleep the night before or eating the right kinds of food. I’m talking about the specific routines I would follow immediately before the race. For instance, I liked to have my goggles on my face and ready to go well before the start of the race. I also liked to splash some water on my body to get it adjusted to pool temperature. I don’t like talking to anyone immediately before the swim and would usually lightly shake my arms (in an effort stay loose and focused). When on the blocks, I also stood very hunched over--ready to grab and go--and only focused on the next x amount of yards/meters before me. Sometimes I would reiterate my race strategy in my mind when the official would call for quiet before sending us to the blocks. All of these things served to get me ready to swim fast. It didn’t matter where I was or how old I was (started doing it as an age grouper), the routines helped my body understand that I was preparing for maximum effort. I think routines like this shouldn’t be overlooked. You can do all the right training, but if you’re not ready mentally come race day, you probably won’t go as fast as you could have. What are some of your routines to prepare for a personal best?
As aparently the only person at the meet who missed seeing your clevage (sorry Muppet, I was distracted by seeing Stud in his Speedo!:banana:)...
I missed the cleavage at Rutgers, but fortunately I've seen it on display at other meets. :applaud:
I chit chat with friends and caffeinate between races, but right before my race, I have to focus, fidget with my goggles, jump around, swing my arms around, and channel my aggression and bad ass sprinter self.
As aparently the only person at the meet who missed seeing your clevage (sorry Muppet, I was distracted by seeing Stud in his Speedo!:banana:)... an argument can be made that there are worse things on display at a masters meet than the backside of a 20-something. I'm still having flashes of the sight of one of my own team mates in a tie-dye weiner bikiner :notworking:.
Should we even discuss the crazy lady in the purple fastskin? On second thought, let's not.
I used to make voodoo dolls of the other swimmers and stick pins in them before the race (this was back in high school). I've since been told that that was un-sportsmanlike so I don't do that anymore. I now have a voodoo doll of myself and just before the race I have my wife slingshot it in the direction I want to go. Usually works unless her aim is off, then I don't swim straight. Or when it starts sinking in the pool and I start sinking in the middle of a race (I hate that).
Probably what I should do is listen to my ipod, and relax and think fast. I like the psyching up that Lightning McQueen does. I think this will be my 101st post.
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
As aparently the only person at the meet who missed seeing your clevage (sorry Muppet, I was distracted by seeing Stud in his Speedo!:banana:)... an argument can be made that there are worse things on display at a masters meet than the backside of a 20-something. I'm still having flashes of the sight of one of my own team mates in a tie-dye weiner bikiner :notworking:.
Should we even discuss the crazy lady in the purple fastskin? On second thought, let's not.
Haha did you see me flexing on teh block? I heard my name being called out from the bleachers and for fun, I popped a "front double biceps" as it's known in the trade... ;)
Probably what I should do is listen to my ipod, and relax and think fast. I like the psyching up that Lightning McQueen does.
I tried the "I am speed" mantra this past weekend...I think my mind interpreted it as "You are unfit and slow!" Ack, at least I got up there and swam!
LOL
I thought Masters Swimming was to be fun? When I finished swimming in college I retired. After 35 years of retirement I am swimming masters and having fun. Most of my attention is now focused on my wife and enjoying her company that I missed out on in college.
I still focus on what I am doing but each swim is new and different. I don't have a mental check list except to make sure my suit is tied or zipped up, my goggles are on tight.
I enjoy the racing, any event, any distance (except 200 fly). I have a good time in work outs and enjoy the social life that it adds.
At meets I enjoy meeting and talking to the other swimmers, but most of all being with my wife (married 37 yrs).
I guess at 58, swimming through college and coaching at the club, high school and college level, I just want to have fun.
Ron Koch
I get to the pool early and usually swim 1500-2000 very easy with NEVER a sprint in the warm up (sorry Paul Smith). Then, I'm done warming up in the water for that day. I do a lot of EZ walking and pacing the rest of the day to keep the leg muscles loose. Before the race I make sure I'm zipped, the goggles are on and the cap covers them and my bald head (sorry John Smith).
I like talking to people to keep my mind off the race. I find that too much concentration usually results in swimming the wrong race strategy which, for me, is what I've practiced for months. My body clock is infallible except when my brain re-sets it!
Best race I've ever swum I was talking to my blockmates right up to the horn and not even looking at the water.
I usually don't warm down, much to the dismay of any coach I've ever had - just back to the pacing...
