Shameless Plug

Congratulations!

Your coach is not the only one who said you would get a lot better. It takes a good two years to both get in shape and learn all the new drills and technique to get real fast. You are doing great, attitude and the willingness to listen to the coach and then apply it is wonderful thing for a coach to see. And yes you got a great coach.

Congrats! :D Just remember the hardest thing to becoming faster is the mental aspect. Practices can get boring ,you might not feel like going, etc. These are the times when you gotta force yourself to go if you want to continue in dropping times.

Eliana, Breaststroker, Tracy, Beth, Mark and Doc :) Awh, thank you guys, you're too kind!! I love swimming, always had, and it wasn't untill just recently that I created the opportunity to start participating in it. I wanted to as a kid, but didn't get a chance (different country, different schools system etc...) Growing up on the mediterranean coast, and being in the water a lot, I always thought I'd do relatively well in swimming... If I ever got in a really good physical condition. One of the SPMA guys recently asked me if I 'feel talented' for the sport. Well, I have a hard time making such a statement, but, yea, I think there is a little bit of talent there, parhaps all the hours and hours that I spen in water as a kid gave me the feel for the water, perhhaps all the skin-diving I did helped some... I really feel at home in water. So far, I don't have trouble understanding how things work, or picking up on what the coach wants me to do... my physical condition, or lack thereof is the biggest obstacle... but, in time, that will change. It's changing already. Yea, it would be nice if it can improve faster, but, the body an regenerate only so fast. I'm glad you guys tolerate ( dare I say like? ) my posts :D Yes, I'm coming to Indy, I'm going to Italy for the FINA games, and I will be goming to Savannah. I'm very much looking forward to meetingyou guys, wherever the opportunity presents itself :) My big mouth got me on the organizing committee for the 2005 LCM nationals that my home team is hosting, so I'm coming to all the big events this year to learn as much as I can. Maybe by '05 I'll even have couple of NQT's ... we'll see. Boring.... There's so much going through my head on regular basis, it is impossible for me to get bored. ;) And, well, part of the reason that i got so involved with my team, and here and with my LMSC is to keep my interest up. It's the 'mental total immersion' ;)

Originally posted by breastroker Your coach is not the only one who said you would get a lot better. It takes a good two years to both get in shape and learn all the new drills and technique to get real fast. You are doing great, attitude and the willingness to listen to the coach and then apply it is wonderful thing for a coach to see. And yes you got a great coach. Thank you! Your input has been very valuable as well! I very much enjoy talking with you, and hearing your input. I'm sorry the meet ran kind of fast, and we had to stop so abruptly at times. Oh, next time, would you please honor us with your presence at the post meet dinner. We have a lot of fun at those :) I do the best I can... which is not always a pretty sight ;) , but, it's getting better. :D I'm enjoying the heck out of it, the swimming, and all the awesome people I'm meeting. It sure helps with the motivation. And darn it, I didn't get to cash in my breaststroke kick demonstration... maybe next time.

Connie, I am giving everything I can to make it there in 2005!!! I grew up in Southern California! Can't wait to come back out there! I've lived all over SoCal! Including Newport Beach. Spent most of my time inland though, in the San Gabriel Valley!:D

Originally posted by tjburk Connie, I am giving everything I can to make it there in 2005!!! I grew up in Southern California! Can't wait to come back out there! I've lived all over SoCal! Including Newport Beach. Spent most of my time inland though, in the San Gabriel Valley!:D It would be awesome if you make it!!! It's going to be a a fun event. Wer'eon the mission here to make it fun and competetive and a great experience for everyone. I'm already hearing that in our LMSC people say that if you want to see an example of how the meest should be run, come to the meets my coach organizes... I'm still learning it all. But, we're planing on raising the bar for our SW Zone meet, and then another notch up for the nationals! Up untill about a year ago, for some 10+ yeas I lived in Newport Beach. maybe we were neighbors at one time? ;) Love the beach there! Now I'm in transition, and moving little bit father south, Mission Viejo area. I think I want to be somewhere half-ways between the pool and the beach.

I lived right on the corner of Seashore Dr. and Orange St, across from the Frog House when I went to Newport Harbor HS. Of course, that was a few years ago;) Hope to see you in Savannah!!!!:D

Originally posted by tjburk I lived right on the corner of Seashore Dr. and Orange St, across from the Frog House when I went to Newport Harbor HS. Of course, that was a few years ago;) Hope to see you in Savannah!!!!:D Oh, wow! I spent a lot of time on that stretch when I used to rollerblade, in the early 90's. I lived just up on the hill, in a small complex by Hoag Hospital. I used to zoom down that hill on my 5-wheel speedskates all the time, than make a quick right and skate right past where you lived and off to Huntington Beach Pier.

Used to surf the Huntington Beach Pier at night! That was back when we used to jump off the pier with our surfboards. I think they made that illegal!:( Used to save your arms instead of having to paddle out!:D