Short Track Nationals is just around the corner, this is the time of
year to pick up the intensity of your training and reduce the
duration. I have seen lots of people pick up their training to peak
just before Nationals, I would say that some 20% were very successful
and the other 80% were less than optimal. Why is that?

Practice for the Sake of Practice. Many folks have heard that they
need to peak for Nationals, at 60 days out they intensify their
training and at 30 days out they really crank it up. However, they
don't really plan the training, they increase the time and intensity
but don't really have a plan. They do long skate sessions and because
they are tired at the end they have bad form and are pacticing bad
form not good form. Often these folks end up with injuries just
before the main event.

Practice Winning - If your are going to practice, practice winning.
Do workouts that resemble the main event. Do interval work with full
recovery, the work intervals should be very similar to the lengths of
time you will be performing during the races. These should be very
similar to the stresses you expect to put on your body during the
race. These are very intese sessions that simulate the race event.

Down Time - Nothing replaces down time, you have to be able to stay
down in your optimal position for the desired lengths of time, do lots
of down exercise. Get with you coach and work out an effective plan
for these last 30 days.

It's your choice, you can either practice for the sake of practice or
you can practice winning.

Good Luck to all, Deadline for registration for ST Nationals is the
14th, there are several forms you need, check the USS site for
details. Remember also that you need an Assocation signature, either
David Kennedy or Myself can provide those.

All those interested in doing Relays, remember we Steve sent out some
relay team info, contact Steve Burton if you have any Questions on
Relays. We will also have some relay practice time at the Laurel Meet.

Dennis Longdon
President, CSSA