If it happens to Michael, it can happen to you

I was reading an on-line version of Sports Illustrated, and found a very interesting quote from Michael Phelps as he was talking about his most recent performance at the Southern California Grand Prix [click for results]. After finishing his 400 IM at finals, Michael was quoted as saying "It was all right,I would've liked to have gone a little faster." The six-time Olympic gold medalist had an impediment, though. His goggles filled with water after he dived in. "I was struggling to see the walls. You have to deal with trying things that come your way," he said. Michael Phelps's goggles falling off? Can this really happen to a guy that almost won 7 gold medals at an Olympic Games?? A guy who is the most well known swimmer in the entire world?? Well it did. If it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.

How many times have you been in a swimming race or at practice and your goggles fill up with water or they have come off? Have you prepared yourself for when it happens. What will you do?? Will you stop (I have seen that done), or will you continue to remain focused on your race? One day at a practice your goggles may fill up with water, and instead of standing on the bottom to fix them, you swam the set, and then made the adjustment AFTER the set was complete.

We have less than 6 weeks until many of you have finished your (Fall/Winter) swimming, and in that 6 weeks, how will you be preparing yourself for the championship meets such as this weekend?? Will you be rehearsing every race every day at practice?? Will you make every streamline count as you were in your final race of the year. It is all up to you, but when it is race time, there should be no surprises, IF you have rehearsed it ahead of time you should have no problems that you can not handle.

Now go be sure your goggle straps are tight!!!