STEADY ....

For some crazy reason many have dropped training focus over the past 10 days. I realize a plethora of things have been on your minds however short course championships are within sight. Every year around late January and into early February many athletes stray off the success path for a variety of reasons. SNAP OUT OF IT! Think positively and continue to strive forward towards season goals focusing on thoughts from the Success Pyramid by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden.

1. Initiative - Cultivate the ability to make decisions and think alone. Have a consistent desire to excel.
2. Intentness - Ability to resist temptation and stay with your course.
3. Alertness - Be observing constantly. Be quick to spot a weakness and correct it or use it as the case may warrant.
4. Self-Control - Emotions under control. Delicate adjustment between mind and body. Keep judgment and common sense.

It is not brain surgery folks. For you to get better you have to do more and do it better...Coach Eddie Reese - One of the worlds' great coaches makes it all seem so simple. If you recall from our initial team meeting in August, we introduced our own simple training rules.

1. Show Up
2. Pay Attention. Learn / work something new everyday
3. Tell the TRUTH. To yourself and others
4. Honor your TEAM with your EFFORT

Showing up is the first step towards success, self explanatory if you are truly honestwith efforts that you put forth towards your commitment. Sleep, proper nutrition, academic accountability and training intensity should be in high gear at this time of the season, which for those committed is just good common sense.

Being tired at this time in your training season is to be expected. Attention to nutrition is THE key variable to successful training as recovery is dependent upon what you eat how much you are eating and when you do so. Everyone should be utilizing a post practice recovery beverage or energy bar after each training session. Carbohydrate intake immediately after your training session significantly enhances recovery, again just good common sense. Sleep will be more replenishing resulting in greater alertness in school and increased energy in training.

Write down your goals on a great big piece of paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror, on the ceiling over your bed, on the refrigerator door and on your cell phone screen saver. Share your goals repeatedly with your parents for family assistance in the upcoming days prior to the big events.

There are five and a half weeks until senior champs and we are almost to the top of the short course training mountain. Jump back on the path, increase your training sessions, call a teammate that is slow to do so and get going.

I believe in all of you!    

Giddy up!

TED