I've been neglect in blog postings - many, many apologies. But did want to give you an update because the countdown has begun - just 360 Hours until the CCIW Championships. That doesn't seem like much tiem when you think about it, but we've been counting down since about the 1,000 hour mark. When you think of things from that perspective, it helps focus the mind on what needs to be done. If something is a few weeks off, well there's time to procrastinate. If there's only a few HOURS left, well its time to get going.
Really though - there's nothing to procrastinate about at this time of the year. The work is largely done and if we've done the work the results will be there. Really, when you think of it, have you ever seen a truly lazy swimmer taper well? What lies ahead now is rest and mental preparation. The best teams I've worked with or seen have always been those who have done the work and then been ready to seize the moment. As I wrote to the team on Sunday:
"Our results won’t be because of luck. Our sport is simply too demanding for luck to be a determining factor. The results won’t be because of talent. We are, (and have traditionally been) a team of hard-working overachievers. And it won’t be because of a magical taper. Taper results from the work that has already been done.
No, our success will come from us meeting at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. If you’ve DONE THE WORK, if you’ve LEARNED HOW TO COMPETE, and if you’re MENTALLY PREPARED for the opportunity that lies ahead.
As we come down to the final hours, I'm beginning to see the team taking shape. We're not battling H1N1 flu anymore. We're not staring down opponents like Arizona State, Purdue or Northwestern. Our freshmen, (who I've always felt are going to surprise some people), are beginning to shine and our upperclassmen are doing the little things right more consistently. Finally, the energy on the pool deck is much more focused, much more competitive. The guys are hungry and I think its going to spell some great things for us. Mark your calendars - February 18-20 for the 2010 CCIW Championships!
The impressive-sounding, but not all that impressive Wisconsin Private College Championships are in the books, and with it, our final races prior to the CCIW and NCAA Championships.
It's funny to think about it now, but nobody on our team can remember a time when we didn't win this meet or every relay as a part of it. Only Rip and Alex are even able to remember this meet being held anyplace but Carthage and nobody wants to remember just how long the meet used to take. That's a far cry from when I got here and the upperclassmen explained that one of their goals was to win back the "Championship".
Today its a meet where we let the guys choose their own events. and let them take a stab at moving up the all-time lists. As coaches, we use it as an evaluation tool - who should be in what event at CCIW's. Who will (and won't) make the conference team?
Some things that stood out this weekend:
Our medley relays may have some life after all! We split them up and the top two weren't far off our season best. If we pick the right four, I think we can make a run at Wheaton's top-ten ranked medleys.
Ryan Ortmann is beginning to show why he should be one of the nation's premiere sprinters. He went a lifetime best and broke Edgar Vargas' meet record with a slow start and bad breakout. He's also probably off the hook for the 200 freestyle at conference following his is 54.7 fly.
200 IM - We don't have a "true" 200 IM'er, but a lot of pretty good ones. We'll be looking for someone to break through here.
Nathan Ripley - wins his 4th straight 100 free title with a new meet record. He's emerged from our heaviest training and starting to show flashes of what we know he can do.
Breaststrokes - We've got a logjam in the 1:02-1:04 range. We need a 58.5 and watching these guys improve every week gives us optimism.
200 Free Relay - Carroll breaks a seven-year string of relay wins, BUT check out that 22.32 anchor split out of a miler - Eric Ross?
100 Butterfly - Everyone loves swimming the 100 fly at this meet. I'm never really sure why, but we learned that we do have some more potential here.
The final evaluation of this weekend's meet is a solid B+. The guys answered a lot of questions, and in a couple of cases even showed enough versatility that we will have several weapons at our disposal come conference time. In fact, putting together this year's CCIW lineup is going to be more challenging than ever before. Take a guy like Isaac Rothenbaum. He's really a 200 freestyler, but he's ranked in the top eight in the 100 breaststroke. If we put him in breaststroke, it leaves him better rested for the 800 free relay at night, but it potentially knocks some of our breaststrokers out of the top eight.
It's an interesting set of questions, and we'll need to get most of them right to defend last year's conference title.
Seideman Natatorium, home of Carthage swimming untill 2001, is no more. Today it began it's transformation into the new Carthage student center. When finished, it will be Carthage's 10th major project in ten years! And people are taking notice. We just received word that we're on track to surpass 6,500 applicants for the 700-odd spots in next year's freshman class.
Here's a final look at what remained of Seideman this morning...
First day of the New Year. The decade began for the Red Men with an 8:00 a.m. practice followed by a two hour drive North to Sedona, Arizona. Outside of Sedona we parked at the foot of a group of mountains and set off to climb. After nearly ten minutes, we reached the top of the supposedly rugged peak. After a lot of boasting, a lot of feats of manliness, and a team photo, we realized that we were on the wrong mountain. What we thought was Bear Mountain, turned out to actually be the much smaller, Doe Mountain (easy mistake). After coming down from Doe Mountain, we trekked across the road to the real Bear Mountain.
Bear Mountain is more than twice the size of Doe Mountain (2.4 miles vs. .7) and a much higher difficulty rating: so needless to say, the team galloped up the mountain with much vigor. Led by Blake Bendix's Alpha Squad, the competition was fierce. Unfortunately, the time we wasted on Doe mountain prevented us from going any farther than about two-thirds of the way up before the sun went down. Coming in First were Adam Van Huis and Bob Pellican in 20 minutes (child's play) followed closely by the rest of Alpha Squad: Ben Coder, Blake Bendix, Ryan Ortmann, and Myself in 25 minutes. We took some photos and challenged each other to more feats of manliness. Nearly everyone made it to the top (*cough* Isaac *cough*), even Greg.
Bear Mountain was easily the highest thing I've ever climbed, and to be totally honest: It was an INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE, and I would take it over the beach any day. The view from that mountain was simply breathtaking, an almost spiritual experience.
Just a few more days remain in the Arizona experiment. Room 213 is hanging out watching the Twilight Zone Marathon on Syfy (don't judge)....Starting off 2010 the right way. Shout out to the #4 ranked Purdue Boilermakers Basketball team (13-0) and the 6-0 Harrison High School boys swimming team.
The Carthage Red Men have climbed three mountains in three days. Three (3) mountains in Three (3) days. We climbed Bear Mountain, we can do anything. 2010 is going to be the year of the Red Men
Pretty much a perfect day. Great workout this afternoon capped by a 200 in 14 breaths (right in front of the Sun Devils). Then a day trip that I confess I was a little skeptical about. I'd planned on a team hike and could have easily seen a lesser group not buy into the challenge of climbing up Bear Mountain.
Problem is, we went up the WRONG MOUNTAIN. After scampering up the trail, I checked the GPS and our elevation only to realize that we were on Doe Mountain. Bear Mountain loomed across the valley, twice as high and four times as far from the trailhead. Unexpectedly, I began hearing the pleadings of, "Can we go up Bear Mountain?" Heck, I think I even heard a please. And so off they went and the effort was well worth it. Most of the guys summitted with just enough time to make it down before dark and were rewarded with some spectacular views.
Day 6 gave us the latest start that we have had thus far with practice not starting until 9:30. I took advantage of this and visited the continental breakfast for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually pretty decent. So then it was off to the pool.
We only had one workout today because we had tickets to the Insight Bowl, but it was a long one. We were at the pool until around 1:00. This was the only time we have swum in the middle of the afternoon and really allowed me to finally get a pretty decent base tan. I’m hopeful I will be able to develop it a little further so as to not look too pasty next to the Lady Reds next week who are really beaching it up in Ft. Lauderdale.
Anyways, practice began with a pretty standard warm up and we then split into different stroke groups. I usually get pretty bitter on these days as I feel the fly practices are surely more demanding than any of the other strokes and I feel as though I can somewhat understand how the distance guys feel on a daily basis, as they are pretty much always very bitter.
Our main set was 4x50 drill, 4x100 descend (25 fly, 25 free, 50 fly), 4x50 drill, 4x200 descend (50 free/ 50 fly), 4x50 drill, 4x300 descend (loco free/fly).
However Greg lets us know after the 3rd 300 that #4 would be stroke for time. I will not post my time, but I will say I felt good enough about myself just finishing it without completely breaking down.
After that we got into some 50s that were descend to FAST. We were supposed to have 4 rounds of the set, but thanks to Pat Inness’s sandbagging efforts it was reduced to 3 rounds. Of course any time saved by having to swim less was again lost while we waited for him to get out of the locker room. However, at this point of the trip, we’ll take any reduction of practice that we can get. We then did our dryland routine that left my arms at the point of failure. Then it was back to the hotel where we got some much needed food and prepared to make our way over to the stadium for the Insight Bowl between Iowa State and Minnesota.
We are lucky enough to have several Iowa State fans also staying at this fine establishment. Greg was actually born in Iowa, and he told me that someone used to tell him Iowa stood for Idiots Out Walking Around. After the encounters we have had with our friends from Iowa this week that may actually be a pretty solid assessment.
Nevertheless, they have provided us with some colorful entertainment. The game was actually pretty exciting all the way through with the final score ending up 14-13 Iowa State. Though our seats were just about at the very top of the stadium, they were actually great seats as they allowed us to have great view of the entire field. This was especially key when the marching bands came out, where we decided Iowa State was also superior. A few of us also really got into the noise making sticks they were handing out; a little too into them. After the game we weaved in and out of people making a quick getaway from the stadium onto the packed metro and back to the hotel as we were all pretty hungry. After getting some food we have all just been sitting around relaxing and enjoying each other’s company, for the most part. So, it’s a pretty low key new year’s eve.
Greg mentioned to us this morning that only 6 weeks remain until the CCIW Championships commence in our pool. That begs the question: If not now, when? It’s time to really key in and pay attention to every detail. There’s no more time to waste, no time to say you’ll start working on that tomorrow. We really have to make it count. We have big goals this year, and we are on the cusp of exceeding the expectations that many people probably have for us. But it’s not going to happen automatically. We have to show how much we want it. So may 2010 be a little kinder to the Red Men than the past few have been. May it bring another conference championship, but also several national qualifiers that are ready to show the rest of the country that Carthage swimming is the real deal.
These guys jumped onto the field to deliver the game ball. The game had lots and lots of fireworks. Not exactly the smartest thing when you're in the line of one of Phoenix's runways. As the fireworks were going off at game's start, a Southwest Airlines 737 flew right through the smoke and sparks, almost certainly ensuring more security measures that will delay our return home.
Saw the ASU swim team on a run to the pool this afternoon. Not for us though...were going bowling as in the Insight Bowl. Lots more Iowa State then Minneaota fans here.
Today was a day that we all knew would come at some point; our shot at the "A" Hill. It started with a quick team picture and explanation of the task that would be placed before us. We were to run to the top of the "A" Hill that towers over the pool and Sun Devil Stadium. Our ultimate goal time was for everyone to be under 18:00 minutes. For the sake of time, the details are in Greg's previous post. At the end of the run, through a sprained ankle, rugged terrain, and helping every teammate finish, we surprised Greg by beating the time we needed. That meant a ride back to the hotel and a nice morning practice off. From there, the normal mid day activities of eating, sleeping, and hanging out took place. As time rolled around, it was a nice feeling knowing that not only did we have a recovery practice ahead of us, but that we also knocked off 3600 yds from practice due to our hard work. In addition to that, towards the end of practice, Blake took our sandbag and walked along the bottom of the pool, without a breath, and knocked off warm down also.
After practice, the team split off for dinner, with a majority staying close to campus and chowing down at Panda Express, Subway, and other fine ASU establishments. Myself, along with Eric "Los Diablos" Ross, Ben Coder, and Drake found ourselves eating at a local fish and chips place (free bumper stickers for those who go). Once we returned, a group of guys (Bax, Tyler, Isaac, Ortmann, Mike, Blake, Jon, Buck, and myself) ventured to the newly discovered pool hall/climbing wall to shoot some stick (and in Buck's case, getting his climbing fix in for the week). Overall, the entire day was a much earned and needed day in my eyes.
Today, as we began preparing for the meets and conference ahead, something that Greg had said to us earlier in the season began rattling upstairs, making me think about how we are all doing so far this year. After a few meets, Greg has been telling us that yes, there were some great swims, but that we have been kind of missing "that one thing" that makes our team stand out; "that one thing" that defines us as a team. Yea, we lost national-caliber seniors to graduation. We also have young guys coming in that are still getting their feet wet in atmosphere that is college swimming. But I tended to agree with Greg. We have had some eye-opening and feel good swims in the beginning of the year, but we as a team have not truly defined ourselves yet. That is until now. Yes, to other teams, on paper, we look pretty good. On paper, we have had pretty strong swims so far this year. On paper, meets have been a bit closer than in previous years. And yes, to others in our conference, on paper, we may not seem to be as strong of a team as we were last year. But they are dead wrong. We are becoming a team that will open the eyes of those that race us. In the pool during practice, I see a much different team. I see a team that is being forged together through the rigors of both physically and mentally demanding practices. I see a team that has men standing up to challenges and racing anyone who is next to them without even thinking about it. I see a team that is shaping the image that will be conveyed at conference and at nationals. Through this process, you are going to see amazing swims at the end of the year that will surprise not only those who see, but those teams in our conference. The beauty of it all is that our swims will not surprise us. We know what we are capable of. In the end, we are just getting started.
Well it's time for me to hit the hay. Stay tuned for more exciting tales from Training Trip '09-'10.
Funny what a team can do with a close and immediate goal. This morning we challenged them to run from the hotel to the top of 'A' mountain. For every guy under 20:00, we'd shave 100 yards off this evening's 6,300-6,900 yard recovery practice. For every guy under 18:00, we'd take off 150 (I was 19:00). The guys welcomed the possible respite, but didn't have exceedingly high hopes that they'd take too much off the workout (in their defense, I told them they had to walk the first 3:00 and walk another 1:00 about 1/2 through, plus the mountain does look much farther than the 1.75 miles it is from the hotel and much higher than the 280' of elevation climb).
Then we added another incentive - if EVERYONE made it up in under 18:00, we'd turn around, load up the vans and come right back to the hotel. Hmmmmm, immediate incentive, immediate response and the guys wound up slicing 3600 (24 guys x 150 yards) off of this afternoon with the last guy reaching the summit in 17:56.
Oh, and one final thing that was kind of cool - as we were going up, the club team here was headed back down. They must have had a good workout and trip because when one of their girls was yakking on the side of the trail I hear a coach yell, "How many is that? We'll have to check the log book to see how many pukes we've had..."
