Weekly Update: Week of December 15th
Week of December 15th
Congratulations to all of our mid-season competitors! We had an outstanding showing at the Bill Spahn Mid-Season Finale, including a slew of new CSI Age Group Championship qualifying times, new Western Zone AG Zone/SR Zone qualifying times, and Sectional qualifying times.
While the majority of the team raced at home, we also had three swimmers compete at the 2025 USA Swimming Winter Junior National meet in Austin, TX. There, Brennen, Raleigh, and Ella all notched new best times. FAST completed the meet with 52% lifetime best times, compared to the 33% national average; way to go!
Character Value of the Week: PASSION
A strong enthusiasm and love for the sport.
If you don’t love what you do, you won’t do it with much conviction or passion.”
– Mia Hamm
My father used to preach to me, “Learn to enjoy chopping wood and hauling water.” After hearing that for years, he gave me a book, titled with that exact phrase.
The concept of, “chopping wood, hauling water,” can be applied to swimming and beyond. Too often, young swimmers learn that the only “good” part of swimming is the end result- a best time. Eventually, that idea morphs into, “I’m only worthwhile if I’m achieving _____ qualifying standards,” or, “Swimming is only worthwhile if I get to swim Division I at a Power Five school and earn a full-scholarship.” One problem with that mindset? If you spend the majority of your days waiting for ‘that one big moment’ or that ‘epic end-of-the-year party,” or for ‘the next Championship meet,” you spend an enormous amount of time unhappy.
Learning to find happiness, contentment, and joy in the mundane makes each day better.
When athletes approach practices and training as opportunities to grow, improve, challenge themselves, learn, and do hard things, there’s a more frequent dose of dopamine and subsequent happiness associated with the sport. In short, having PASSION for improving, PASSION for learning, and PASSION for lifting up teammates will help prolong the love one has for the sport.
The physical act of racing at your absolute best still hurts. It’s still painful in the moment. But the joy one feels at seeing a new lifetime best time actually comes from the recognition that hard work pays off, delaying immediate gratification can bring about outstanding results, and a belief that ‘I can keep improving more tomorrow’. Let’s flip the script together; let’s focus on being our best each and every day- not just at Championship meets. Let’s find the joy and passion for self-improvement and building up those around us.
When you practice with PASSION and CONVICTION, you compete with CONFIDENCE AND PURPOSE.
Practice Adjustments:
Wednesday- Reindeer Relays
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Coaches will be stationed in the stands to line athletes up, write lane numbers on their hands, and assist with directions. All athletes will come down to the deck together. On the deck, we will have coaches on the block side and on the shallow side. We’ll compete in multiple relays; it will be a wild and FUN time.
Update: Valor Elite, Sponsor
FAST Arete athletes will be able to utilize Normatec compression sleeves at Valor in 2026! At the elite levels, of all sports, the ability to recover between intense training sessions is essential for continued improvement. Arete athletes are encouraged to connect with Valor coaches to plan times to utilize the Normatec sleeves.
Upcoming Events:
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FAST Family Information: Team Website Navigation
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What: Ask detailed questions about how to ‘commit’ to events, where to find information, and more with FAST Business Manager, Sarah Putman
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When: Wednesday, December 17 @ 5:30 - 6:30 pm
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Where: EPIC Lobby
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Please bring your phone and/or computer
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FAST Private Lessons: monthly availability with multiple FAST coaches in January and February 2026
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Family Information Presentation: Nutrition Made Simple
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Guest Speaker: Valor Elite Nutritionist
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Location: SCHEELS, 2nd floor meeting room
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Date: Monday, January 26th, 2026
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Time: 6:00 -7:00 p.m.
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Practice this evening will likely be a unique combined practice day so athletes, family members, and coaches can attend.
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Arete athletes: The Way of Excellence: Brad Stulberg- An Evening in Boulder
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Wednesday, January 28th
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Coaches will drive vans for Arete athletes. There will be no Arete practice that evening.
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An opportunity to learn about high achievement, tendencies of those who are excellent in their respective arenas, and feedback from a content expert and best-selling author.
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5:45 p.m. departure from EPIC
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6:00 - 7:30 dinner and discussion
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8:45 p.m. return to EPIC
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If you can attend:
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‘Commit’ to the event so we know how many vans to reserve.
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RSVP using the link under the event in “Team Events” to ensure a place at the event.
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Upcoming Events: Dates & Details TBD
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February 8, 2026
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10&Under Popcorn Variety Clinic- Racing Starts, DIFFERENT LEARNING PATTERNS
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Sign up available now!
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February 8, 2026
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AG&SR Clinic: (open to FAST and all Fort Collins high school swimmers)-
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Championship Relay Exchanges & Race Quality Finishes
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Why: A chance to refine those relay exchanges and finish details before Girls’ HS swimming & club SCY Championship season!
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Sign up available now!
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Late March 2026
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Advanced Stroke Clinic: Freestyle
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- Holiday Practices (Out of Town Option)
- If your family will be out of town for the holidays, and would like to use FAST coach-written practices while away, we will have a packet available on the team website by this weekend.
Administrative Reminders & News:
Be a Changemaker for FAST!
Direct your support to one, or any combination, of our funds (Athlete Travel, Scholarships, Facilities&Equipment, Athletic Performance) or support the team with your time and focus as a USA Swimming Official!
