Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

Water Rat — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:09:48 GMT

I had a wakeup moment in Atlanta after blowing the 100 ***, my focus event for that meet, but not before storming out of the meet and back to my hotel. It was there that I realized I was still in my B70 full body suit and alone in my hotel room, I couldn't unzip it! I started laughing at myself and my behavior as I contorted myself into all shapes to get out of the darn thing. I called home and my very wise daughter reminded me to take the advice I always gave her after a bad swim. So I went back to the pool and changed my attitude to "have fun" and finished out the meet with 2 PR's. Now I wish I could say I always have this attitude but that would be a lie. But on balance I've definitely shifted my thinking. Now my pre-race mantra is "Go for it, Relax, Have Fun".

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

Elaine Krugman — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:24:36 GMT

Your days at Nationals should look like this: :applaud::cheerleader::ohyeah::hug: ... :dinner: :party2: :groovy: :drink: :wine: Every day should be a new personal best! Have fun! I'm not fast enough to swim fast, but I'm fun enough to have fun! :banana: I wholeheartedly agree with Swim', Smilies and all! I would applaud him, except he used up the maximum 10 Smilies leaving none for me. Darn. Swim'? Although I disagree with the first half of your last statement, I do agree with the end. Of the people I knew in Greensboro, you definitely looked like you were having the most fun! Your smile was HUGE when you swam your PB's!

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

AnnG — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:35:20 GMT

I am happy you decided to make the trip, we would miss you and Carol otherwise in the Team Oregon area. See you there!

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

Elaine Krugman — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:08:18 GMT

:cheerleader: Goooo Allen! That's my cheer to you to out to Omaha and have a blast! Nationals meets have always been a blast for me, because I have gone with the attitude to have fun first- then, try to make my goals. Due to my strained leg muscles, I didn't make any of my swim goals at Greensboro, but I did have a lot of fun; mostly because of the Forumites I got to see or meet for the first time. How is this for a goal: See how many Forumites you can meet up with at Nationals- and, meet for the first time! Just go have fun, whatever you do. I know you will! :applaud:

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

Swimosaur — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:02:29 GMT

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

jaadams1 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:41:02 GMT

"lets have fun." My age group coach, before our races, would always send us to the blocks after our pre-race coaching tips with those words: "HAVE FUN!" Every time, and every swimmer, those words came out of his mouth. And why do you think I'll throw down a 500 fly now and then, or swim a 200 Fly in the 200 Free event? It's about fun mostly...or is that stupidity??? I'm still :confused:

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

Former Member — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:25:41 GMT

That is a great attitude. Life is far too short not to have fun. Having fun and being in a good state will probably see you swim fast anyway. Good luck

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

JoeBob — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 09:10:11 GMT

Way to go, Allen! I look forward to learning more from you at nationals. I will have tons of fun (800 free, 2/4IM, 50/100/200br). If I'm not having fun I wouldn't be here because I can't scare anybody other than the lifeguards. :bump:

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

Patrick W. Brundage — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 05:47:32 GMT

I've been telling my kids to have fun in their races for a long time ... and I've had fun since coming back to Masters in 2001, but I made a huge mindset change after Atlanta Nationals. Arguably, I swam really well there (even won my first event at Nationals), but, like Alan noted above, I didn't allow myself to really enjoy it. I think I really starting adopting the attitude wholesale since Mesa Nationals, where I swam (mostly) completely frivolous events (for me!) in which my expectations were low. I had a blast. Fortunately, I think I've managed to hang on to that "have fun" attitude. The other piece I'd add that is fun is this: just racing, regardless of the outcome or time. Open water racing has certainly taught me that, as has having some events where tight competition both pushed me and created a "play-like" swim. I can't wait to have fun in Omaha.

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

ande — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 01:33:39 GMT

Having FUN is what it's all about. Swimming fast is FUN and improving is fun but sometimes we don't swim fast and we don't improve but we can still have fun. If swimming is no longer fun, take a break or find something that is.

RE: Nationals,Fun and swimming fast

smontanaro — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 01:04:49 GMT

... Don would say "lets have fun." Damn fine slogan for a t-shirt methinks... Skip