November 2009 Archives

• Awesome, Incredible, Terrific FISH - morning practices canceled *
• Advanced Age Group                        - evening practice canceled *

 (*  Swimmers from these groups should have entered Tom Dolan or Christmas Champs)

•  Age Group & Mini FISH

Regularly scheduled 6:00 p.m. practice group swims from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Regularly scheduled 7:00 p.m. practice group swims from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 6th

Written by Elena Marsilii

The Minnesota Grand Prix was a great experience and I was very lucky to have the chance to go on the trip.  The Fish team and I got to bond so much on this trip and I had a blast!  Before the meet began, we went to Mall of America where we got to ride the indoor rides, shop at the huge number of stores it had, and eat and talk with our team.  Some famous Olympians were at the meet, including our teammate, Kate Ziegler, Rebecca Soni, and super cute Ryan Lochte.  We got to talk to the Olympians, took pictures with them, and some kids even got their autographs.  In between sessions, each team had some extra time to chat with their teammates and bond some more when we went to get food.  The meet was fun and although not everyone received best times, it was a chance for all of our team to become closer.

By Gunther Niklas

By Josh Hyde

While swimming freestyle one of the most important aspects in order to swim fast is maintaining proper alignment. One of the most common areas that this comes to be an issue is when the athlete needs to take a breath.

Due to the importance of this small, but integral, skill please follow this link for a great video that does a fantastic job of explaining the proper technique.

Make note of how the narrator explains keeping the head low when taking a breath and how the athlete is breathing from the "trough" that is created. This is exactly what your coaches are talking about when they mention breathing with one goggle under the water and one out of the water - and also making sure you look at the lane lines during your breath, rather than the ceiling.

Enjoy the video and be sure to try this at your next practice.

The FISH is proud to announce the visit of Mariejo Pasion of USA Swimming.  MJ's presentation will focus on what it means to be a committed swimmer and to be a parent of a serious swimmer.  Topics will include commitment, coach's role, nutrition, parent's role, finding the proper balance and much much more.

No matter if your athlete already practices nearly every day or if your child is still swimming in the age group programs, you don't want to miss this perspective from one of the sport's leading experts. Please join us and learn from the best.

When: Sunday, November 22nd 2009

Where: Marriott Tysons Corner, 8028 Leesburg Pike, VA 22182

Time:  11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Cost:   Free of charge

RSVP:  Monika Paris by 11/20/09 

Invitation

Written By Josh Morgan

AWESOME MEET CREW! 

FISH parents and volunteers received great reviews from visiting teams and officials ranging from "this is way better than the October Open" from a visiting official to "Mmph mmmrrrff mmmuph!" from a visiting coach with a mouthful of Anita's chicken. Running a meet with 700 athletes is quite a task, but everyone pulled together and things ran without a hitch. Thanks to everyone from our officials, Hytek and Colorado operators, timers and runners, marshals and deck supervisors, hospitality and concessions workers to all those who made donations! Way to hit a home run at your first at bat!

Dear FISH Parents,

Currently, the SCRIP website is under construction and you will be unable to place orders in the near future.   I have been checking it regularly and will let you know when you can start purchasing gift cards that will help raise money for the FISH. 

I am, however, able to order gift cards for you at GIANT and a percentage of the purchase will be donated directly to the FISH.  This will allow every family in our organization an easy way to provide support at some level, without spending more than they already do on everyday purchases at GIANT (including prescriptions).

Gunther Niklas

The following article is the first of a series eight lessons on nutrition.

The article is reprinted from USA Swimming. Swimmers should understand that swimming at different speeds requires different types of fuel to be supplied.  The primary source of fuel is carbohydrates and fat. The intensity of the exercise will help determine which energy source will be used. A proper diet will help keep the body's fuel take ready for a tough workout. If there are inadequate supplies of carbohydrates and fat in the body, Protein will be used as an energy source. This is not desirable since this will lead to muscular damage.

Josh Hyde

This week in Coach's Corner we begin our in-depth analysis series of the four competitive strokes. 

First up is freestyle which you will see by following the link here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ctBUV08_o

While watching this video it is important to understand how the narrator explains the catch and anchoring the hand in the water. You will often hear your coach's talk about beginning the pull with fingertips down, or with a high elbow, which is the same idea the narrator is suggesting when he mentions keeping the upper arm parallel to the surface. The narrator explains that you will almost feel like you're lifting the elbow and shoulder out of the water, or sending the elbow over the hand - which is a good way of explaining the proper motion.

This is a very informative video, so be sure to take notes and you may have an easier time grasping what your coach is talking about the next time they tell you to start your pull with a high elbow.

Finally, be sure to tune in next week as we will again be going over freestyle and the importance of proper body alignment. 

Josh Hyde

As many of you know, swimming is not an easy sport and the athlete's performance is tremendously dependent on their mindset. The difference between very good swimmers and elite level swimmers is really only between the ears. Talent and practice can only carry an athlete so far, therefore developing an athlete's mental toughness is just as important as developing proper technique.

Dr. Alan Goldberg is known for doing a lot of work with athletes from many different sports; however, some of his best work has been in swimming. Therefore, to go along with the mental training that we (the coaches) will be doing throughout the season, and the thought that mental toughness is really what separates a good athlete from a great one, I have provided a link to one of Dr. Goldberg's many articles. This short article provides 18 items that swimmers can focus on to develop their mental toughness and help reach their goals.

Go ahead and start utilizing some of the things he lists in the article and I bet you will soon notice positive changes in the outcome of your races.

Helpful link!

Gunther Niklas

Charlene Boudreau, USA Swimming posted an article on USA Swimming's website that focused on pre-race and pre-workout nutrition.

Boudreau uses the glycemic index of foods to help determine what to foods are best to eat before a workout or a swim meet. In the article she also points out that the time before a race will affect food choices.