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| Here is John doing a great job leading the usual Tuesday night track for the DRTC. Thanks John! |
My humble apologizes for not being on here for about two weeks (I think) but it has been an exceptionally busy time for me and you know what it's like if you kick your routine, it doesn't take long to fill it in with something else.
I really like to write on my blog and it wasn't by choice that I'm so long trying to come back but now that I'm here, I'll do my best to keep it up! : )
Values and priorities go hand in hand and I say this all the time, "if you attach a higher value to something (anything) it now becomes a priority and is more likely to get done"!
Sounds simple enough using higher self induced values to direct your lives, especially your training life and it works when they are made rock solid.
I know, of course there is "life" that gets in the way but if we view life's trials and tribulations as a required time out and then get back to training business ASAP we'll find a workable balance.
Here is an example I noticed at the pool the other day.
As I was helping a new swimmer find her way around "Lake Whitby" I noticed there were several of the regular swim customers out there doing their thing and knowing each for a long period of time I was in pretty good position to evaluate what I saw them doing.
Body position, balance, speed, breathing, technique all of it was in there during my private discussion with myself and it was very obvious where each of these swimmers had placed their values.
They obviously know swimming is great exercise (hence their regular attendance) and they had at some point attached a pretty good amount of "value" to it or they wouldn't keep it up week after week, month after month and so on, but my question was "when was it when they accepted that they were swimming well enough and didn't need to improve anymore"?
It must have happened at some point because over the years I have watched the same swimmers swimming the same way, with no improvement really.
Yes they are doing good for their body and mind feeding them regular activity but their swimming skills "value" needed a shot in the arm! : )
What I see is that each of them has accepted their swimming style is good enough for what they want to do so their attached skills "value" is satisfied and that's that! : )
Let me suggest that if you are working on becoming a good swimmer (not an Olympic racer) that you attach and maintain a very high rate of "value" to your swimming skills and don't call it a day too soon or you will be destined to swim where you left off for a long long time.
Can skills be added later on?
Absolutely, but from what I've seen the swimmer who has been swimming and surviving for a long time is not likely to put a high enough "value" on skill development to go back to zero and start again so it's not likely going to happen.
Now taking it a little further we have some great swimmers in our swim classes who could be even better with more work on their technical skills but because they are so powerful and succeed in class their skills "value" is pretty much satisfied.
That's why I add into every single swim class some skill development so that everyone is reminded that we should always work to improve our skills.
Don't confuse successful swimming with wonderful swimming skills because it's not a given!
Cheers everyone and have an awesome weekend! : )
