Written and courtesy of Lori Payne, Assistant Director of Swimming & the staff at American College Connection
So you are going to a travel meet for the first time! Away from your parents! How exciting! You have worked so hard, and this is your long sought after reward. You are rested and ready to swim. OR NOT?
For veteran swimmers, it’s a time to validate yourself to your coaches, that you are ready to burn up the lane! That all the time they have spent working with you is going to pay off! It’s a time to prove yourself. OR NOT.
What’s with the OR NOT’S you ask? Pay attention now, this is important.
Visualize this:
Team bus, lots of excitement and anticipation, crowded, people giggling while others are trying to study, food fights (whoops, don’t want to give you any ideas!) Chaperones ready to throw you all out the windows.
Now, visualize this, 6 hours later:
Arrived hotel, a mob of people leaving the bus, exhausted and ornery, fighting over their gear, still having food fights, but this time for lack of proper nutrition. Chaperones still disgusted.
How are you going to reboot and swim fast in twelve hours?
Here are some helpful ideas.
– Respect your teammates and set a good example for the younger swimmers, especially for the first time travelers. Lead by example.
– Speak to your roommates about your wants and needs. That could be as simple as turn the lights off at 11pm (I have a 0600 alarm), stop slamming the door, or it could be more difficult and precarious when your bedmate snores, kicks, hogs the covers etc.
– Refuel yourself with proper protein and carbs. You can’t carb load the day of the meet and expect that will solve your problems. Nutrition begins at home, and eat as if your were home.
– Rest between races, alone. Find a corner, visualize your race with whatever music gets you humming.
– Breathe. Have a nice long warm up; stretch, relax, get your heart rate up when you are ready. Conversely, have a nice long warm down for the same reasons.
Remember you have prepared for this meet. You OWN it and no one else. Don’t let anyone take it away from you.
