Dropping Time

January 2, 2009 at 3:54 PM

Over this last week, I have come to realize that sports and music are share simularities. After all, they are both disciplines?

My youngest daughter, who is 10, swims on a team that competes year-round. She attends practice about 3-4 times a week. The coaches don't encourage "winning" races, but encourage them to swim their best to drop time. My daughter so far has dropped 15 seconds off her 100 freestyle; that's four laps in the pool!

I was on the cross-country team in high school. I wasn't the fastest runner by any means. In fact, I came in last almost all the time. One of the reasons why I ran was to spend more time with my dad who was the coach. He didn't really care who won the race, as long as we did our personal best. Some of my best memories weren't about the race itself, but knowing that I truly did the best I could.

My oldest daughter will be competing in finals for a concerto competition tomorrow. After her lesson this week, the words of her teacher rang clear to me. "Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. What matters its that you play the best for yourself."

After her lesson this week, on the way home, my daughter and I have discussed about doing her best, having fun (because isn't that what it is all about?) and "dropping time."

From Donna Clegg
Posted on January 3, 2009 at 12:09 AM

Good luck tomorrow! I'm going to remember your "dropping time" benchmark for the future.

From Tess Z
Posted on January 3, 2009 at 4:46 AM

Jodi, your blog and it's topic is so refreshing. Your daughter is very fortunate to have a swim coach who is not 'all about winning'. We are all winner's if we approach every day trying to do our 'personal best'. :)

Sending good thoughts and wishes for a terrific performance.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on January 3, 2009 at 5:51 AM

Our society puts so much emphasis on competition in nearly everything we do. Thanks for putting the spotlight on doing your personal best.

From Chuck Naill Jr.
Posted on January 3, 2009 at 11:04 PM

I think it is fine to not concentrate on winning, if your child wants to swim for the enjoyment and exercise.

There is a reason we time races and maintain scores in sports. Competition is not a bad word and for many of us, we actually enjoy the concentration that is required to compete and win .

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Dropping Time

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