Falcon and Matlock Galas
These galas were aimed at giving our novice and level 3 swimmers some early season racing. Alex attended both these galas and was impressed with the professionalism shown throughout the weekend at both events. Early learning and development of how to manage your day at open meets is vital and all the swimmers got something from their races along with a number of improvements in personal best times even from Club Championships in July
Derventio Excel Level 2 meet
A step up from Falcon and Matlock this level 2 meet was the first real competition for our more experienced swimmers. As always when we havent raced for a while or even when we change from short course to long course and back, its all about setting processes up so that at the end of the cycle we can hit goals. This meet was great with swimmers taking on the responsibility of setting their own process goals and for the most part achieving them. No splits or rates (unless that was a process goal) were discussed or taken and the swimmers really focused on their skills. This paid massive dividends for the swimmers as yet again they were hitting PB's or bettering them. Even with a heavy early cycle programme, swimmers showed great team spirit and professionalism, managing themselves throughout the weekend, leaving their area clean and tidy without any trips to the hospital which cannot be said for other clubs.
Lincoln Vulcans Level 3 meet
This is always a good meet as it short course in sheffield. The swimmers were mainly moving on from the DX meet and we looked at race tactics as well as processes. As you can see with how we develop our swimmers over each cycle, the focus is always the end of the cycle meet, thats where we look at times and goals, which will be achieved so long as the programme is followed and goals are set correctly. Once again in heavy training and a heavy gala programme, some swimmers doing 8 or 9 events in a day, the swimmers were awesome. Hitting PB's, warming up, warming down correctly, good nutrition and hydration. Whilst some people view me as harsh and firm, it is days like this where is pays off and the reason I insist on things being done right becomes apparent. The swimmers that attended this meet were so well drilled and understanding of the process that I was asked if we were a performance squad instead of a small town club. Other coaches spying on what we were doing, what we were focusing on and the style of feedback is always a good sign that we as a club are doing things right.
National Masters
A major meet for National swimmer we elected to jst do a session with a slight rest (50% or so of the normal work) and not come down fully for this meet given the time of year it is held at. The reports I have had from this meet have been exceptional. Golds for Helen Gorman and Adam Fruendlich along with medals for Liz Simpson, ment Long Eaton were once again well represented on the medal table at a National level. The performances dont stop with medals, those of you that know me, know I see medals as a bonus, after all you cannot control what others do in the pool, I look at improvements and to have masters swimmers performing life time bests is incredible, what was equally impressive was the improvement once again from club champs or midland masters in September to this meet. A really exciting weekend of high class racing from our Masters contingent.
Belper Marlins
With the entry issues a small team went to this meet. I know I sound like a broken record but when the swimmers keep performing as they do and they show the level of professionalism they do, we have to give them credit. To round it up, more PB's, more processes, more race development, great skills and awesome behavior.
Midland Short Course
A small team of 4 swimmers entered this gala. This is harder to get into than normal Midlands as it is either 15 and under or Open age groups and with it being over one weekend instead of 2 they higher the qualifying standards. From 7 swims we had 1 Bronze (Adam Freundlich 50m breast) 3 finals, 4 seasons best times and 1 lifetime best time.Overall another amazing weekend in heavy training.
To some up this rather long post I dont expect PB's or fast times at this time of season as the training we do is not really in line with fast swimming. So when I say PB's are banned its partly because I dont expect them and partly because I want the swimmers focused on the process and not the out come. Those swimmers nailing processes will swim fast and as a by product of doing things right improvements will be made. I am looking forward to the cycle end meets to see all the processes, skills and tactics being used in focus events and hoepfully goals being smashed. Keep up the great work and keep up the professionalism, the biggest improvements are in doing the small details right.
