CLUB NEWS - April 2020

Miami Country Day Aquatics

Hello All,

The safety and well-being of our swimmers, coaches and parents is always our top priority.  Like all of you, we are also actively monitoring the COVID-19/Coronavirus situation and taking steps to help flatten the curve and to help keep our community safe.  In case you were unaware, Miami Country Day School has pushed the date back to May 4^th , as the first possible date we could be back on campus.  That is not guaranteed and it could be much longer.  So, we recognize the important role that the swim team plays in providing some level of normalcy, connection and positive feedback resolutions during this critical time.

As most of you know, we are providing dryland workouts, stretching and other fun activities on all of our social media platforms.  If you have not checked out the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, I encourage you to do that today.  The coaching staff is working really hard to provide new and different activities every day.  We have also have started to use the Zoom platform to do dryland together as a group.

• On Tuesday & Thursdays at 4:00 pm Coach Anthony will be hosting a Zoom meeting for Pathways level swimmers.
• On Monday-Wednesday-Fridays at 3:45 pm Coach Zoe will be hosting a Zoom meeting for all Bronze & Silver level swimmers.
• On Wednesday and Friday at 4:30 pm Coach Eric will be hosting a Zoom meeting for all Gold and Senior level swimmers.

These meetings/dryland training sessions have started off great.  They have allowed us to see all the kids and to have the swimmers see each other.  Parents please try to have your swimmer(s) sign on and participate with the rest of their training group.  Please try to remember that we see everything on the camera, and all of the meeting are recorded, so please make sure that the background and background screens the kids choose are appropriate.

So connect with us!

Financial Questions

During this difficult time there has been an unprecedented number of unemployed in Florida.  The number of reported unemployed has tripled since the virus quarantine started and some experts are saying that it could climb as high as 20-30%.  During the Great Depression, 1929 there was a national unemployment rate of 24%. 

We understand the fact that we are all feeling the pinch.  On March 1^st we charged, the Spring Quarters Coaching Dues.  After only a couple of weeks we were instructed to close our doors to practice social distancing.  I want you to know that I have suspended all accounts and that there will not be any further billing, except for the Meet Fee for swimmers that participated in the, B/C Bronze Championships, BB’s or Silver Championships and the Speedo Southern Zones South Sectional meet. 

Our hope is that we will get back to a normal schedule the first week of May. If we do, that would be great, but either way we will “Pro-rate” the amount everyone has paid and we would push the payment towards the next “Active” quarter.  So your payment could cover the Summer Months, the Fall Quarter or even the Winter Quarter.  Everything we are doing online is a way that we can stay connected and will not be considered part of the Coaching Fees that we have already charged.     

We are looking forward to seeing all of you as soon as we can.  But until then get connected online!

Mental Toughness

Mental toughness is something we talk about around the pool during practice time.  Mental toughness is a choice.  And boy do you have the perfect opportunity to test that saying during this quarantine and over the next several weeks. We all know that it's easy to be mentally tough when things are going well. The true test is when you're faced with difficulties and challenges. And the adversity you're facing now is very real. We are all going to come out of this on the other end one way or another. But the choices you make about your attitudes and actions along the way will determine how successfully you get through this and how successful you will be once you are on the other side. 

You need to attack this challenge with the same commitment, energy and tenacity as you do training for your sport.  So what can you do to stay mentally tough and healthy during the upcoming weeks?

1. First of all, please know that it's okay to feel whatever it is you're feeling. Disappointment, fear, sadness, frustration, anger, boredom, anxiety, impatience, overwhelm. You've had your practices and competitions cancelled with no idea of when you'll be back to training. You've lost your daily connection with teammates and friends. School, proms & graduations are being cancelled. That's a lot of loss to deal with. So don't ignore or feel guilty for the feelings you're having. Talk with family and teammates about them. Write about them in a journal. Don't keep them inside. You can only work through your feelings effectively if you acknowledge them.

1. Make the conscious choice to stay mentally tough!! You have all the tools, you just have to choose to use them. Some great tools to pull from your tool box right now might be- adaptability, composure, courage, emotional control, resilience, solution focus & patience. You've been training these, so here's your chance to practice what you've learned! ** Ask yourself, "Is this choice, attitude or action mentally tough or mentally wimpy?" **Use your "So I need to..." "I'm feeling really frustrated, so I need to go out and skip around the back yard and be silly for 5 minutes." (The wimpy choice would be sitting inside and having a pity party.) ** Ask yourself, "In this situation, what's my best mental tool and action to get me through this?"

1. Be committed and creative in keeping yourself in shape. There are a bunch of online fitness videos, yoga classes, and strength challenges on Facebook. Dig out your parents old P90X or other fitness DVD's. First thing in the morning, plan your workout and stick to it. Where appropriate, get outside and walk, ride your bike, run. Work extra hard on your weaknesses, maybe your flexibility or core strength. Commit to being as fit as possible when you get back to training. It's also important to make sure you're eating healthy (no emotional junk food eating), drinking your water and getting your sleep.

1. This is a great time to start VISUALIZATIONS! Even if it's only a few minutes a day, picture yourself swimming and keep the muscle memory strong for your return. Practice quiet breathing-it will be a lifesaver.

1. Take one day at a time. We have no idea how long this is going to last or what all the consequences will be. Your best way of managing the uncertainty is to focus on this day. Keep your thinking in the present. Worrying about what might happen creates fear and anxiety and is a waste of time and energy. When the mind wanders forward to the "What ifs" stop, take 8-10 of your breaths and focus on "being where your feet are."

1. Be grateful. Before you go to sleep each night, think of 3 things you were grateful for that day.

1. Be creative. Come up with some wacky ideas for whatever is challenging you and for just having fun.

1. Keep your sense of humor. Laugh. Share jokes and funny memes. Make crazy videos.

1. When you feel sorry for yourself (and you will, it's ok) find a way to do something good for someone else. It will make you AND your person feel better! Again, be creative!!

1. Set new goals for next season

1. And last, but not least, keep that habit in your mind of attacking your goals.  This will be very important for when life get back to a more normal routine and for goals when you get back to your swimming.

I can't begin to tell you how much we all miss swimming and our team.  Stay connected to your teammates and your coaches, find webinars online.  Figure out ways to get better.  We will all get to the other side of this thing soon!  Please stay in touch and let me know how you're doing or what I can do to help you.

I look forward to seeing you poolside (I have never meant that more!),

Coach Eric

"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging." ~Joseph Campbell~