I enjoyed the day set aside for relays alone at Nationals. It contributed greatly to our team spirit. However, after swimming on 4 relays on Saturday, I was exhausted for my individual events on Sunday. I suggest that, if USMS decides to use this format again, the "Relays only" day be the last day of the meet for several reasons: (1) It will not affect a swimmer's performance in any individual event, and (2) if a swimmer is not participating in relays, he/she can enjoy the host city or depart early for home.
I loved relay day. I got to swim a relay with my mom, my little sister, and my mom's best friend from elementary school. It was a blast! I also was on a relay with my husband, sister and the Wolfman. Our team really came together on relay day and made the whole trip sooo much more fun.
Personal caveats...
1. Yes, I was a little more tired on Sunday, but was it due to the relays? Hauling the 8 month old baby around the meet? The lack of sleep due to said baby and evil hotel pillows? Or (MOST LIKELY) the fact that I hadn't swam 4 days in a row all season and my body was like WTF? I'm a big believer in 'racing yourself into your taper' so the extra sprinting on relay day isn't necessarily a bad thing.
2. I only had a cut in 1 event going into the meet so relays offered me the opportunity to swim some more things. (I left the meet with 3 cuts, and narrowly missed my 4th, woohoo!)
3. I was on a team big enough that we were able to swim lots of relays. I could see how it would be no fun if you just had to take a day off in the middle of your meet.
4. I am not a distance swimmer and did like having distance day the last day. It gave me a chance to swim my first ever 800 free and not trash my body for the rest of the meet.
5. I am not, nor ever will be, in the running for a world record so am not so worried about relay day adding that killer hundredth to my time.
I loved relay day. I got to swim a relay with my mom, my little sister, and my mom's best friend from elementary school. It was a blast! I also was on a relay with my husband, sister and the Wolfman. Our team really came together on relay day and made the whole trip sooo much more fun.
Personal caveats...
1. Yes, I was a little more tired on Sunday, but was it due to the relays? Hauling the 8 month old baby around the meet? The lack of sleep due to said baby and evil hotel pillows? Or (MOST LIKELY) the fact that I hadn't swam 4 days in a row all season and my body was like WTF? I'm a big believer in 'racing yourself into your taper' so the extra sprinting on relay day isn't necessarily a bad thing.
2. I only had a cut in 1 event going into the meet so relays offered me the opportunity to swim some more things. (I left the meet with 3 cuts, and narrowly missed my 4th, woohoo!)
3. I was on a team big enough that we were able to swim lots of relays. I could see how it would be no fun if you just had to take a day off in the middle of your meet.
4. I am not a distance swimmer and did like having distance day the last day. It gave me a chance to swim my first ever 800 free and not trash my body for the rest of the meet.
5. I am not, nor ever will be, in the running for a world record so am not so worried about relay day adding that killer hundredth to my time.
