As we are heading into February, this is the time of year to hang tough and keep those resolutions and your fitness program alive. Here are a few thoughts:
1. Your health is your only asset which matters. If you are not healthy, you will not be able to enjoy all the pleasures that life may bring.
2. Daily exercise is good for both your physical and emotional health.
3. Your teammates are your best friends. Master swimming is about friendship and not competition. We all care about each other.
4. Swimming teaches you discipline.
5. Swimming different strokes, different distances at different speed will help you train more efficiently and stay injury free.
6. Make sure your goals are SMART:
Specific: What do I want to accomplish?
Measurable: How will I know when it is accomplished?
Achievable: How can the goal be accomplished?
Realistic: Does that seem worthwhile?
Timeline: When can I accomplish the goal?
7. It is Ok to dream big, but it is important to take it step by step. Re-adjust those achievable steps if you need to and make sure to reward yourself when you have reached them.
8. Expect setbacks, they will come. Life will throw things at you. Learn from them, re-adjust, and mostly be resilient.
9. “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.”
~Jim Rohn
10. If you are already the competitive swimmer, February is the month you need to build your endurance and increase your training for the competitions coming up in the Spring: Oregon City in March , Nationals in Irvine in April and of course our Oregon Association Championship in Bend in May.
11. It is a never-ending process, so keep at it and enjoy the journey. Your fitness and health are on the line.