To: Current Swim Team Members & Alumnae/i

I am running out of ideas for this blog and I would like to get some of your ideas to keep this blog active. Please send me an e-mail of exactly what you would like me to post on here. It could be anything from saying hello to describing your vacation or an event that you went to.

I will be going on vacation for about a week and a half starting TODAY so now would be a great time for you all to send me information so when I get back I will post it. Send pictures too!

I hope you are all enjoying your summers!!

Your Coach,

Trish

Back to Breast Turn

One of the hardest turns to perfect is the backstroke to breaststroke turn. Below are two great examples of the fast turn.

Here is a different angle...

Does your turn look like this?

Fantaswim

I know many of you are into the "Fantasy" sport games well here is one for swimming. Once you register you can pick who you think will win certain events. If your athlete gets first place then you get a certain amount of points. Right now, you would be selecting gold/silver/bronze places for the Olympic Trials.

Here is the link Fantaswim

Tell me how you did!

Beijing 2008

Here are the pictures of the new Olympic pool that they built in Beijing. It's nickname is the "Water Cube". Not only is the architecture dramatic but it is also eco-friendly with capturing solar heat energy through it's large panels and all backwash water of the center is filtered and returned to the swimming pools.

Janet Evans Invitational

This race was June 6th-8th, 2008 in Los Angelos, CA. Here are two great races and listen to the names. Any names sound familiar?


Nothing like showing the lead early...


A little outside heat...

Happy Father's Day!

Thunderstorm Company

One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small boy into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice,

"Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?"

The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug.

"I can't dear," she said. "I have to sleep in Daddy's room."

A long silence was broken at last by his shaking little voice:

"The big sissy."

To all the Father's out there... Happy Father's Day!

Everyone sing...

Happy Birthday Colleen!

What are you going to do on your special day?

Keuka Lake Triathlon

Do you remember how hot it was this past Sunday? I am sure you were looking for the AC or a pool to cool off. I chose to do a triathlon!

The tri started out great mostly because we were able to start in the lake and cool off a bit. But, as you can see from my picture I (and everyone else) was wearing a wet suit. The lake temperature was 63 degrees. I had a good swim and an okay bike but was just completely drained for the "run". I didn't hydrate myself well enough during the bike, so I was force to walk about 1.5 miles.

It was a tough first triathlon of the summer but I know what I need to work on for my next one, which is about a month away.

Have any of you entered in any competitions or events? If so, write me an email and tell me about it... pgeorge@wells.edu (in case you forgot :-)

Congratulations...

Congratulations to Kelsey T. who got accepted into the Art in Paris program for the 08-09 year!

For those of you who do not know Kelsey, she just finished up her 1st year at Wells. She began the swim season as a backstroker and finished the season with the 400 IM as her main event. She is on the All Wells Women's Top Ten Times in 2 individual events and 2 relays.

On behalf of the entire swim team, we will miss all the rapping and random dance moments during practice but most of all we will miss YOU!

Sprinters Workout

Should I add this workout to my binder?

Staying in Shape for Next Season!

#1 Get in the pool – You will loose the “feel” very quickly. Many of you stare at the pool all day being a lifeguard. During your break weather it is 10, 15 or 30 minutes do some laps and focus on technique. If you have more time to swim, add more yardage and work on speed.


#2 Cardiovascular Exercise – The advantage to doing cardio workouts are that you will burn calories, lower body fat, increase bone mass and muscle tone but most of all it will strengthen your heart and lungs. You should do a cardio workout for about 30 – 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. How do I know I am working hard enough? If you are working out with someone (which will be highly benificial) you should be able to talk but not hold a long, in depth conversation. Here are some cardio ideas – jump roping, plyometrics, running/jogging, fast walking, aerobic classes (kick boxing, step class…etc), biking, rowing and the list continues. It will be a beautiful summer enjoy it by exercising outside with friends!

#3 Abdominal Strengthening - Plain and simple, if your abs are not strong then you will not achieve your goals. You need your abs in everything you do. 3x a week for about 10-15 minutes will significantly increase your strength. Remember you can strengthen your abs by doing more than just sit-ups, vary up your ab workouts.

#4 Weight Lifting – To get better at the above you must add in lifting sessions to your summer work out plan. If you consider your self a distance swimmer you should do longer reps with lighter weights (3-4 sets, 10-12 reps). If you consider your self a sprinter then you should do shorter reps with heavier weights (2-3 sets, 6-8 reps). If you do not have access to a weight room you can always use your surroundings. Here are some examples for different ways to do push-ups – push-ups wide (regular), push-ups tight (turn finger outward, keep arms close to body, focus on tri-ceps), put your feet up on a chair and then do push-ups, Push-ups with a twist (add a bent-over-row on the up part of the push-up).

#5 Most of all just get outside and have fun this summer. Instead of watching the TV or sun bathing on the beach GET UP and do something. From a coaches’ point of view it is great to watch the first day of practice and see that your athletes have been preparing for a great season throughout the summer.

Look at the "Valuable Links" on the right panel and you will find more information. If you find a good website please let me know and I will post it.

Swimming is Life...