Hope all of you had a great weekend, and it was great to see a lot of you on Saturday morning. This week will be very busy for a lot of us, so keep up with your school work, eat healthy, lots of rest, and a lot of 
and we will make it through as a group. Tonight will start the second session, so welcome any new swimmers that you notice to the group.WEEK AHEAD: Due to the meet there will be no practice Thursday, Friday, or Saturday this week. For Planning purposes this will happen next week due to one more meet at the pool.
TOM DOLAN MEET INFORMATION: This is a trails and finals meet, so be sure you check to see if you need to come back in the evening. Warm-up times are as follows: Thursday night Rachel Ward 500 free 4:30, Sam Ober, Meg Roberson, Logan Coulson Moore, 200 back 7:15. Meet in Peter's office. (Must not be wet.) Friday, Saturday, Sunday 13 and overs 7:30 to 8:30AM, 12 and under's 1:00-1:50 except Sunday which is 1:30-2:20. All finals check with me and we will look at the time line. Make sure you know which relays you are in and BE THERE!
CHRISTMAS CHAMPS MEET: This is a trails and finals meet also. If you make a JO cut in the morning session, I would advise you to scratch finals (it is up to you). I will be at the Tom Dolan Meet so Coach Beth and Brolin will be out there with you (Talk to them). Warm-up times are as follows: Friday night and all final sessions 4:30-5:30. Saturday and Sunday 11 and Over's 7:30-7:50. 10 and under's 12:30-1:20. Remember check with the coaches about finals!
DO NOT FORGET TO POSITIVE CHECK IN YOUR EVENTS THAT ARE 200 AND ABOVE AS SOON AS YOU WALK INTO THE POOL FOR BOTH OF THESE MEETS.
JANUARY MEETS: The meets that we will be attending will be the Distance Meet Jan.3-4 (sign up by 12/16), Mako invitational January 9-10, and the January open Jan. 17-18 (sign up by 12/23). You should pick either the Mako meet (preferred) or the open meet. The only reason you should do both is if you are really near your JO cuts, or there are other events that you want to swim. DO NOT SWIM THE SAME EVENTS UNLESS YOU ARE WITHIN A COUPLE OF SECONDS OF YOUR JO CUTS.
TOPIC OF THE WEEK: 
(LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION)
(LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION)I always enjoy listening to you all talk about the American Idol show, and how different the contestants are and how the 
react to their performances. Have you ever stop to think that when you are swimming, YOU are in your own little show. When you see a hard set come up in practice, or you fell tired at a meet before an event, your first thought is "I can't do that, or I'm going to do bad," and you begin a chain reaction that will help determine the outcome. It's important for each of you to remember that you control your thoughts, and that many times, your thoughts will affect the outcome of your performances.
react to their performances. Have you ever stop to think that when you are swimming, YOU are in your own little show. When you see a hard set come up in practice, or you fell tired at a meet before an event, your first thought is "I can't do that, or I'm going to do bad," and you begin a chain reaction that will help determine the outcome. It's important for each of you to remember that you control your thoughts, and that many times, your thoughts will affect the outcome of your performances.
Let's shine the light on the negative thoughts that may go through head. "I'm not good in that stroke, or that distance is to long, I always die in my race, I can't beat that swimmer," 
and the hit's keep coming. This kind of negative thinking is not very productive to anyone, especially an ATHLETE. You must be aware that these types of thoughts have no place in your swimming, and you need to get away from them! You know I listen to a lot of kids talk about their heroes and it can be a parent, teacher, politician, athlete, but this is your story and the camera is on YOU. You are the 
of your story. So act like it! Do you want the camera to see you as a whiner, a swimmer with no 
when things get hard and back down from a challenge? Will it see you as being afraid or worried? I hope the answers to these questions were NO! What type of person to you think the camera sees? What type of person do YOU want the camera to see? You are the only one who has any control of your story, realize who you are, the time and energy that you put into swimming and than act the way you would like the rest of us to see you through the eyes of the camera. Now it's time to take some action! You know who the best coach in swimming is? It's you! Be your own Coach and convince yourself out of those negative thoughts and feelings that you have when you hit an 
obstacle. The best way to do this is to come up with a cue for you to go from negative to positive, and what you need to do. Make this cue simple but personal. Because if it doesn't mean anything to YOU, it doesn't mean anything. Make sure it is positive. Instead of I'm tired, I'm behind, I'm seeded last try something like I'm ready to go, I know I'm better than last, BE SMART, GREAT TURNS, ACCELERATE INTO THE FINISH, GETTING STRONGER, FAST, FASTER, FASTEST. Make SURE THESE WORDS HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR RACE. It's not a good thing to think about Mom or Dad, or your coach during the race....that shouldn't be your motivation. Your motivation should be great starts, awesome breakouts, super turns and beating someone on the last few meters of the race. Remember what we discussed the price for a swim cap $7.00, swim suit $45.00, goggles $15.00, 
the look on your competitors face as they finish behind you "PRICELESS."STAY POSITIVE AND BE YOUR OWN AMERICAN IDOL MIKE
