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In a rut? Become a sponge…

Posted on August 25, 2009 by swimmerjoe

Athletes are always searching for the extra steps that will take them over the edge in their training. Athletes, businessmen and women, and anyone really, continue to grunt it out, work extremely hard at what they do, but oftentimes find themselves in a rut. If you find yourself in such a place, you have two options: 1) Continue to tread water, or 2) Find a new path.

There are many ways to find a new path, and one of the most common is simply switching up your training. Try a new variety of training methods, cross training, yoga, doing different dryland, all will all make your body react in different ways and keep you in top form. (If you are in the business world, try a training class, pick up some books on your subject to get the latest tips, or even look online at your competitors and see what they are doing!) Even a new high school coach (versus your club coach) can be an asset if you try to find the positives he or she brings to a practice.

Speaking of different coaches and methods, I grew up with Harry & Kevin Meisel’s swim benches, then went on to the senior group with Skip Foster & Don Prokes (both crazy hard trainers!) at Winter Park High, Frank McElroy (mega intense yardage) in New Jersey, then Randy Reese & Skip Foster (omg–baskets, running, vertical kicking, thermometers in weird places–that’s another blog–stadiums, sleds, etc.) again in college at the University of Florida. Yes, I had the opportunity to train under world class coaches who demanded and received the best. But most of all, I learned many things from all these different coaches. I even learned valuable tips and techniques from coaches I visited on vacations, at training camps, and the like. All of these training techniques still live with me as a coach today.

Why am I telling you all this? Your mind has to be a sponge looking for the secret ingredient that is going to make you the best at what you do….stop at nothing to get there, never tire until you reach it. Be a detective in search of speed, knowledge, and a better way to be great at what you do. I happen to specialize in helping swimmers get better. Even as a coach I refuse to remain in a rut. I am always experimenting on new things I dream up daily (sometimes my kids dislike me in the short term; however, they will be happy down the road), whether it is dryland or in the pool….and other things I can’t yet reveal. (I have to maintain a little edge you know!)

However, what I am stressing is this: Break up your training or daily life with items out of your comfort zone, believe in your coaches, train hard, never tire, be relentless, and never, ever let anyone get in the way of your dreams….follow no one! Find a new path to your goals…whether you find it yourself or someone else reveals it. Try getting better now…why wait?

“Lane 5, Step Down!” (And Tap into your Warp Drive)

Posted on August 16, 2009 by swimmerjoe

Well, it was the 1980 Junior Olympics and I was in the final of the 11 & 12 200 IM at the Winter Haven Pool, which is now the Rowdy Gaines Pool. The day was a bright sunny day built for speed and I was a little anxious to get going. Fellow Blue Dolfiner Craig Harris was the top seeded swimmer, and I believe Charlie Rose may have been in the same heat as well. And, what’s more, Kevin Meisel was coaching one of his first meets after retiring as a swimmer.

We were all behind the blocks, talking and messing around awaiting our heat, but I knew I wasn’t feeling very well. I was nervous! I heard what the other swimmers were saying, but I wasn’t really comprehending. Noises and actions were there, but they didn’t faze me. My fellow team members knew I was getting nervous, as this was my normal M.O.

While I was waiting for my heat, I was thinking of the event so much, the start, the turns, the strokes, feeling good, feeling bad, spectators, etc., that my stomach began to go upside down and sideways! Meanwhile the consolation final was just finishing…our heat was next. My nervousness was at its peak…almost.

Then came the announcer’s voice, “In the Championship Final, Lane 1…, Lane 2…, Lane 3…, Lane 4 Craig Harris, Lane 5 Joe Auer,” and so on.

Right when the starting judge gave the command to get on the blocks, you guessed it, I relieved my stomach’s internals as fast as I could–ALL OVER the block! NICE! There was vomit everywhere!

“Gentleman, step down,” came the announcer’s voice again. “Lane 5, go shower off.” Fortunately, there was a shower right there next to the pool deck. How embarrassing! All the swimmers had to wait for me! (In hind sight, I guess I had my own little psych job on them working as well!)

Anyway, I made my way back to the blocks and swam very well. I physically went through all the things I was thinking about behind the blocks and lowered my time a huge amount! All the nervousness actually provided a big pay out for me. Nerves=speed for me.

Now, why am I telling you this story?

I see kids at meets getting so nervous they can’t handle it. They lose control. I say accept it and even welcome it into their meet preparation. Just know its coming and use it to your advantage. Consider that your “warp drive.” When you feel it, know you are going to have a great one! Work on that this season and by the time your big meet comes this fall, you’ll be ready for “warp drive.”

I always got nervous before my events and it NEVER failed. Along came the queasy stomach, the yawns, the thought of failing, but I found I always wanted the nerves to be there. You see, if you know nervousness is coming, let it come! Use it to your advantage.

IF…and That’s a Big If

Posted on August 13, 2009 by swimmerjoe

If I swim every day

If I concentrate every day on getting better

If I put all distractions away before practice

If I listen to all the coaches

If I go as hard as I can

If I push my body to its ability

If I want to get better

If I set goals for myself

If I become a racer

If I become a leader in practice

If I think I can be the best

If I try and learn all I can

If I pay attention to detail

If time stands still

If you walk around like you are the best…or will be one day

If you only know how much time you really have

If you were at practice last Saturday

If you only went that extra effort in practice…every day

If you really pay attention to what the coaches are saying

If you realize that the coaches really want to make you the best you can be

If you give it absolutely everything you have

If you take yourself to the edge of the most awesome pain

If you streamline—become a missile

If you know you’ll leave the sport giving it everything you had

If you can compete for anything

If you get that adrenaline rush when the coach calls your name

One day, one brick, one stroke, one sore day at a time… It will happen.

The road to your greatness has many, many distractions.

Don’t let anyone take away your path…..It may fade away.

2 Things to Think About in Swimming This Fall

Posted on August 6, 2009 by swimmerjoe

#1—While daily consistency is one key to swimming success, so is performing your strokes in proper form the entire practice. Getting lazy builds bad habits and those are extremely hard to break…it is better to slow down, change intervals, and get in a slower lane to do the strokes to the best of your ability. You will eventually get faster with what you are doing, and guess what? You are doing it in proper form!

#2—Continue to monitor your stroke count per lap to see where you are. You may think you are doing strokes with extreme efficiency but your stroke count tells you differently….stay the same stroke count per lap as best you can. One of my old teammates, Anthony Nesty, who coincidentally is also an Olympic Champion in the butterfly, swam an entire difficult practice swimming only butterfly while keeping the same stroke count each lap…..and it was long course!…..I guess the proof is in the pudding!

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