When the Chips are Down

Team enthusiasm seemed to be down heading into our afternoon practice at FGCU.  Since Monday afternoon, we have been on the mark with making every practice scheduled - no breaks for this crew.

In order to shake things a bit, we had a little longer warm-up than normal and then a varying Pink/Red Set totaling 1500 meters.

Here are the mighty "get-out swimmers," displaying the papers that were drawn with their names on them.  It takes a lot of talent to turn the Citizen of the Year's head, but Kelvin, Nandi and Lauren did just that.

It was about 3:05PM and it's was time for our first Get Out Swim of the year.  Displayed on each of the practices was a goal time for every Bison swimmer that they would need to achieve in a 100 meter freestyle.  We drew names from a pouch and the lucky contestants that emerged from said drawing were Kelvin, Nandi and Lauren.

Between the three of them, two had to beat their indicated goal time in order for practice to end.  If zero or one of the swimmers reached their goal time, the team would all finish the practice that included 5x500s.

I'm sure there are worse things that swimming an extra 2500 meter on the ninth practice of the week, but it's a true testament to the determination Kelvin, Nandi and Lauren displayed for going after their goal times and all beating them.  The pressure had been heightened and their teammates were relying on their skills to for an incentive.
It's because these three individuals all beat their goal times that they are the Prime Popcorn Practice Performers for the PM session:
#3 - Nandi Ross: 2.5 seconds faster than her indicated goal time in the 100 meter freestyle.
#2 - Kelvin Goodman - 3.2 seconds faster.
#1 - Lauren Anthony - 16 seconds faster!!!

Dryland commenced after our warm down, which was a cut-throat game of Capture the Flag.  Blood was spewing, collisions were plotted, and friendships were shattered as our ruthless Bison competed for a chance to go to the movies next week.  To be honest, I'm not sure how we all made it back on the bus, but after 45 minutes of hard-hitting fury, the team of Omar, Kelvin, Zadok, Darell, Keely, Lauren, Summer and Nandi emerged with a 4-3 victory.

"We were going for their hearts," said a bruised Omar McKenzie.  "When you fight to the death, there are going to be casualties."

"It really wasn't even about the movie passes, though.  It was about the will to survive," professed the Citizen of the Year.  "Look at me, I'm bleeding everywhere.  I can't feel my legs or my face.  But it's not about me; it's about everyone else."

Tomorrow is going to be fairly epic...stay turn and have a happy start to your 2011.