I hope there is, but I just watched it from the stands yesterday.
Brian,
I had no idea you were there. I'll check for your results later. Usual events, or did you go to the dark side? Really sorry I missed visiting with you.
Rich
Here are some of your fellow forumites. Unfortunately, the camera got handed off to some shaky-handed photographers on some of these shots. But, I will treasure them all; especially the memories! :bliss:
...And, the rest of the photos that wouldn't fit in the last post:
P.S. I'm bummed I didn't have my camera with me when I met Alison, Tracy, and the rest of the gang!
Thanks everyone for the complimentary comments. I obviously hit my taper.
Rich--truly amazing swims, way beyond just hitting your taper. However--would you be willing to share a couple of your taper basics (ceasing weights, distance drops, etc) ? I'd be particularly interested in whether you think tapers should be shorter as one gets older. Was there anything you did this year in your taper that was different?
Was it just really loud on deck? It seems like lots of people had problems with hearing the horn. I assume there's supposed to be a horn under each block. Maybe some weren't working. Really a shame for this to happen.
Hope Mr. Abrahams doesn't mind, but I'll go ahead and post the 50 fly I was fortunate to film.
Thanks for the inspiration BTW!:)
YouTube- RA 50fl REC.AVI
Was it just really loud on deck? It seems like lots of people had problems with hearing the horn. I assume there's supposed to be a horn under each block. Maybe some weren't working. Really a shame for this to happen.
I think horns under each block is a feature of the Colorado timing system, not the system used at Nats? I watched many races on deck where the swimmers left and I never even heard the starting beep.
I worked 3/4 days. i was in registration thurs and friday, swam a relay sat and sunday and timed on sunday and yes, it was hot and humid on deck b/c of the number of people at the meet.
surprisingly, it went off ok. several timers didnt show sunday and people pulled double or triple shifts on deck- which given the humidity was hard.
I am pretty sure i too have swam in faster pools but am not an Auburn pool fan either. I like Stanford's, Riccione pool , Michigan, Fort Lauderdale. Did the same times in blue 70 as i do in speedo fs pro.
Any big meet is going to have some problems. I have no split on my relay b/c somebody crossed lanes and hit the touch pad. oh well, better long course swimmer anyway. I am more upset about the ending of LOST
Almost the same in my 200 heat at the even end. They said take your mark, I go down....hold...I start to relax and BEEP! I got a really crappy start, but was THRILLED with the end result.A 6 second drop is not shabby- Congratulations!
My quick thoughts:
Rich Abrahams was amazing, really hit his taper, and is a very nice person.
*****
That 87 year old dude who went a 33 in the 50 free was beyond inspiring.
*****
Fried chicken at hospitality -- ew!
One more -
Mike Taber 52 year old blind swimmer (turns with the aid of spotters at each end of the pool that tap him with a tennis ball on the end of a stick when it is time to turn):
29.74 50 fly
1:05.34 100 free
1:15.21 100 IM
amazing
One thing I wondered as I watched the older swimmers is whether the level of competition in older age groups will increase substantially as the years go by. In 20 years will the 85 yr. old Rich Abrahams be swimming sub 55 100 free? In 30 years will Rowdy Gaines and Bob Bugg still be racing sub 1:55 200 free. What about Mike Ross in 40 years?
A few years ago I would have said no, now I don't know.
BTW I agree re the fried chicken.
