I had a terrible nationals- might have something to with the whole 3 month old baby thing, I don't know!!! But I had a great time anyway because I met some really neat people.
I'm from California and I met Derek from Tennessee and we traded shirts. I ran into Beth McGhee, from Georgia, in the warm up pool and she is darling! She went 54 in the 100 free and 24 in the 50. I was so happy for her.
I also met Mark Mattson from Illinois. He's so nice. We gave him a ride back to his hotel.
I met Ron Johnson, from Arizona, in the airport in Indy and again at Chicago. He's really nice. He won everything he swam!!!
I had an unfavorable run in with Gary Hall Jr. in the warm up pool. We were sitting next to each other in the pool and it was that awkward moment where you look at someone like "hi" and they look at you but you don't know what to say. I knew I didn't want to say, "Oh are you Gary Hall?" Duh. So after his amazing 100 free I said something much more intelligent like, "Nice 50". DOH!!! He looked at me like "What?" I pushed off and swam and realized what I had said. I finished my 50 and, thankfully, had the opportunity to say,"I meant nice 100." I felt so stupid. Oh well...
In addition to meeting new people and making an ass of myself, I also got to know my own teammates better. I admire them even more than before.
I have a lot of work to do to get back in shape but it is sure great to know that I'll get to see everyone again next year. I'm looking forward to it.:)
Originally posted by knelson
I don't think I met anyone from the board, but I did look up at the scoreboard once and see "Beza." I wonder how Ion swam? Hopefully well, because it sounds like he put in the work.
I made a point of watching Ion's 100 free, and I thought he swam pretty well. Decent start, turns didn't look bad (at least from up in the stands). He did glide in on the finish. I didn't know whether that was a good time for him or not. Then that evening I ran into him at my hotel, so I introduced myself to him. He was very gracious, even charming. My friend, who didn't know anything about all the turmoil on the discussion forum, thought he was very nice. Anyway, Ion said his 100 free was 1.1 seconds slower than last year, but that he was pleased with his 200. Don't know about his 1000 free, because I didn't get there till late in the 1650s on Thursday.
The Race Club swimmers were great. It was obvious they had a good time at the meet. They were all happy to chat with the swimmers, have their photos taken, sign autographs, etc. Definitely a highlight of the meet to see these guys swim AND hang around the pool just like all the other competitors.
Muhammad really stole the show, didn't he? Unreal.
I don't think I met anyone from the board, but I did look up at the scoreboard once and see "Beza." I wonder how Ion swam? Hopefully well, because it sounds like he put in the work.
I got to meet Karen. What a nice person. :D It was after the 400 IM. She was smiling. Karen, I don't care if you had a good or bad swim, it was a 400 IM. You should have been grimacing. ;)
Thanks again for the car ride. My back was really bothering me. The ride and the Walnut Creek Masters company were both welcome.
I should have taken up your offer to meet Roque and Suzanne. I was counting for Laurel in the mile, in the lane next to Heim-Bowen. Saturday night, the Santos family was at the next table, at the Alcatraz. (Nadine walked over and started playing with the baby. :) )
