It’s in YOUR Control

You’ve no doubt heard it said that “90% of success in life is just showing up.” While that certainly might be true in general, Ultra-Short Race Pace Training (USRPT) is an exception to the rule.

“It’s more than just showing up at practice,” said Sedona Race Pace Club Head Coach Sean Emery to his swimmers at a recent morning workout. “You have to bring your SELF to practice!”

That means showing up with your A-Game at every practice. Your best self, mentally and physically, is what it takes to see max results in the pool. 

Be ready to exert yourself

Race pace training means giving it all you’ve got — on every repetition. Saving back energy to “last through the set” is counterproductive. Coach Sean advises swimmers to focus on the repetition at hand: “Get in this one great rep so you can feel accomplished.”

“How one feels about exertion moderates the response to exercise and effort. When one exercises with a positive attitude, the efficiency of physiological function is optimal. However, when the attitude is negative that efficiency is reduced.”^[1]

Brent Rushall, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University and founder of USRPT

If you’re dreading that 200 fly training set on Monday morning and letting yourself take it easy and fail out early in the set, you’re doing yourself a disservice. The set will continue to be difficult for you until you force your body to adapt.

But there are more far-reaching consequences also: “If you’re not ready to play all-out and give your best effort, you’re not just magically going to see your best times at the next meet,” advises Coach Sean.

Are you ready to “up your game” with USRPT workouts? Call Coach Sean Emery at 928.254.7765 or visit sedonaracepace.com for more info on joining the team.

Learn more about getting the best from your USRPT workout by checking out other articles on the blog!