I thought I'd try an experiment here. I propose that anyone of any swimming level can use this thread (or not) when, whether in a small way or earthshaking manner you've done something in the pool that you're proud and/or pleased by. Anyone is welcome to add encouraging comments (or not) or ask for more info., but please no grandstanding or feuding.
Okay- I'll go first (and I'm just as hesitant as anyone else). Context: last few months hellish: collapse of my dream business, death in family, huge money troubles etc. result months out of water & exercise & 30lb gain. Further, I just went back over the last 10 yrs, averaged 1 meet a year, no more than 4 months training in any one year. So- been back in water 4 weeks, 2-3 times a week and mostly feeling like chopped liver. Monday night coach say we're going to do dive 25's (meters) from blocks, starter's instructions. Now I haven't done this in years 'cause I have a very bad neck- but I've been frustrated so...did all 3 breastroke 16.3, 15.5, 16.2 which tells me I've still got prospects to go fast again! I am pleased.
Former Member
Bill, you definitely deserve an Attaboy; the ocean has a personality of its own and many challenges are thrown to swimmers. That is one heck of a time in those conditions, I don't think I could have done that time. I could feel every one of your descriptions, the ocean can throw us up and down and around in bad conditions. These things make our accomplishments very personally rewarding when we finish. Kind of look back on what you did and go, my goodness or other words really come to mind.
Bravo, my friend.
donna
Saturday was my OW 1500M swim in the Atlantic. Its hard to says its a PB because of currents in OW, but the waves were 4-6 foot swells. If you wore a wet suit, you were not eligible for awards (based on water temperature). I went tri-suit only.
Several people quit just looking at the surf. A lot put on their Wet suits for safety.
Swimming out, was like the scenes from "Perfect Storm". I'd take a breathe, turn my face down for another stoke and there was no water! Just a 6 foot drop, be completely submerged, then pop up again.
Swimming parallel to the shore was like surfing. Most breathes were in a tube of water. It was a quick decision to breath or wait for next time (no Bilateral breathing!). When I was luck to be on top of the wave, it was a quick look to see where I was going.
The swim back to shore was not about speed the current did that it was staying on course and off the bottom. Each braking wave shoved you to the bottom (about 10-15 feet). Several people lost their goggles! Due to the swells, I could see very few people. It felt like I was alone.
All-in-all, it was a blast!! I swam a 20:04, but the conditions nullify the time, but...
I survived!!:banana:
It was an International Distance Tri (1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run) and I got 2nd in my age group!! The winner of my age group won the event. I seem stuck in the toughest age group.:frustrated:
Thanks Bill and Peter. I was really shocked when I compared the time and now that I have learned the 'new' breaststroke, I really have no idea what my time will be. The biggest meet I ever swam was the New Mexico high school state meet when I was 17, so I have no idea what to expect at Nationals.
Way to go Kathy! Some day I hope to be that fast!:bow:
Thank you Donna. There are times that you are reminded just how small we are when compared to Mother Nature. Bobbing around the Atlantic will certainly do it!:eek:
Thanks Bill and Peter. I was really shocked when I compared the time and now that I have learned the 'new' breaststroke, I really have no idea what my time will be. The biggest meet I ever swam was the New Mexico high school state meet when I was 17, so I have no idea what to expect at Nationals.
Go get 'em Kathy
Kathy, expect to meet really nice people; concentrate on enjoying the whole experience, be inspired by some of the older super-fast swimmers and swim your own race. You can't lose!
I can't keep up! So many forum contributors doing well in Seattle and I sit here like a zombie from night shift trying to puzzle out what day it is; anyhow. a big collective ATTABOY! and ATTAGIRL! to all & I am hoping that participants (or their proud friends) chip in with pleasing results. And we're not just talking records here folks, remember? *
*(official forum attaboys and attagirls are certified 100% organic and trans-fat free)
I did NOT want to swim the 200 breaststroke today.Not only was I not completely recovered from my much whined about shoulder problem,but I had a GI virus for 3 days just before the meet. I was a little disappointed with my 50 time and when I woke up this morning feeling stiff sore and a little sick at my stomach I thought"why go and just embarrass yourself by swimming poorly." Then I thought "you hypocrite,you just posted that there is nothing to be embarrassed about in swimming performance." I decided to just swim it and just focus on being smooth and not worry about my time or my competitors. Before I got hurt my goal was to beat my personal age group best of 2:32.0.For me a perfectly split 200 in 2:32 would be 35,39,39,39.I figured that was out of the question so I just wanted to swim smoothly and split evenly. My splits today were-
35.03,39.05,39.15,38.59 for a 2:31.82.:groovy: :groovy: :groovy:
