We came in second overall at the state meet this past weekend! Our best finish ever. I had a really good meet. Set best times in all my events. They are not lifetime best times, but Master Swimming best times. :)
Before I bore you with the details of my races, I have to say this weekend was totally inspiring and motivating because Masters swimming isn't just about breaking records (like 46-year old John Smith who broke the National Master record in the 100 free) or winning almost every event you swim (like Susan van der Lippe) but it was about the 85 year old man who still dove off the blocks and competed against the other two 80-something year old men - who by the way completed every single event they entered. And it is about our own BeeGee, Ruth, who at 75 years old completed the 200 fly (along with several other events) without breaking a stroke or getting DQ'd (she also does open water swims!!!). To know that I have the opportunity to still compete for the next 50 years is either totally psycho (great she said sarcastically, I have to do this for the next 50 years) or totally cool (yeah she said I get to do this for the next 50 years!). I chose the latter for sure!
Two days before I swam it was shave down time. Oh yeah, I went old school and grow out the hair on my legs. It wasn't as much fun as it was in the past. Imagine that. Dan begged me to wait two weeks before the meet instead of the two months that I did. Sorry Dan! I'll spare you the pictures. :)
Saturday was a long day. My sister Debbie came to cheer us on, Dan was home sick the whole weekend. :( I swam 5 individual events and 2 relays. First relay of the day was the women's 200 Medley Relay, I swam fly. It was nice the first race of the day was a relay, gently ease into the meet. Next up, the 100 IM. I was so nervous I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. I was in lane 10 (I have never swam in a meet where we use 10 lanes) and couldn't hear the starter. I actually saw the gal next to me leave the blocks and that's when I left. Late start but I knocked 3 seconds off my time. I was thrilled! Nice pike in the dive, not sure where that came from, but you can totally see how late I was off the blocks.
50 breast was next. Again, the nerves set in. I had the pre-race bathroom jitters pretty much before each race. How long have I been doing this??? 50 breast was great. I knocked 1.5 seconds off my time. I was on a roll. Then came the 100 fly. I really psyched myself out with this one. I was super nervous my shoulders would not make 4 laps of fly. They did but my time was kind of sad (I hadn't swam this event in over 13 years, so technically I got a Master best time). At that point I looked at it as having a time to beat for next year and I earned some team points! I made up for the fly with my 50 free. It was a near perfect race. First one off the blocks (I was in lane 2 right by the starter), I actually kicked the whole time (I'm not a freestyler and my kick isn't always happening) and I didn't breathe that much, it was just great. I knocked 1.5 seconds off my time and hoped to get first in my heat but was out touched by one-tenth of a second. Oh well. I was totally excited and pumped for my next race the 100 back. I just went for it. What did I have to lose? Just like the 100 fly, I hadn't swam this event in over 13 years so my time was great. I had a goal time in mind and reached it. Finally the day ended with a mixed (2 men/2 women) free relay. By the time I got home, I was starving and exhausted. My muscles felt like they were vibrating. I tried to take a nap but was too tired and restless. I ordered a pizza, watched some TV and eventually made it to bed by 8:30. I couldn't believe I had to do it all over again the next day.
I woke up Sunday morning to snow on the ground (it was 70 on Saturday!). Thank goodness we swam inside! I know Sunday would be a bit easier than Saturday as I only had 6 events - 4 individual and 2 relays. But as I stretched that morning, every muscle ached. Gotta love lactic acid! I started the day with the 200 mixed medley relay. I swam the breaststroke and didn't feel great. Next was the 50 back. Yeah for 50's! I knocked a second off my time and felt great. 100 free next and I did fine but I was getting tired. Barely made my goal time. 3 down only 3 more events left I thought. So next was the 50 fly. I wasn't in the fastest heat so I thought I had a good chance to win my heat. I went all out but got out touched by a tenth of a second. Oh well, dropped my time by 1.5 seconds. Nice! Two more races. 100 breast was next and well, I got totally into my head with this one. This was "my race" as a youngster and haven't been able to get it together for quite some time. I thought I was going to pass out on the blocks I was so nervous. My seed time was way too fast, I was swimming right next to Susan van de Lippe, the 1988 Olympic medalist in this event and will be going to the Olympic trails this June. I'm just glad I have another year to work on it. Finally the last relay, 200 free relay.
Sidenote... just like Mike, I too got fourth, in 4 of my individual events! Yes they gave out ribbons and yes I made sure I got all of mine. Hey, I need proof!
Ahhh, the meet is over and it is tailgate time! We grilled burgers and dogs, drank some celebratory beer and chatted about a great weekend for everyone.
Next up for some people, Nationals in Austin. For me...that's TBD!
