The starting system is only for those with acute hearing. I have to keep my cap above my ears. The shaved head seems like a good way to go here.
Sinead O'Fortress?
Maybe a quick introduction was best, then. :) See you next year, hopefully- just don't get as fast as you were at metros, please.
I hope to be in AZ if at all possible, and will certainly be at Auburn (as a fresh new 40 year old! :afraid:) next Summer.
No chance I get to my old times! My goal next year will be to TRY to get down to Lorenzo Bennucci's 500 Free (4:51) GA Record. Its always fun playing a "part time sprinter" and "part time distance" guy! :D
I was amazed by how fast he was turning over. Not to say which is better, but I'm used to seeing the best masters swimmers sprint freestyle with long relaxed strokes. Rowdy Gaines comes to mind. Rich, on the other hand, swims the 50 like he's 20 years old. Awesome.
Brian,
There's a video? Got a link?
Rich
Since you aren't going to Mesa, what meet are you shaving your head for?
I think I'm keeping my red locks. Not so sure about the red suit. I think it's somewhat jinxed after my various travails. If I hadn't redeemed myself in my 100 back, I would have chucked the thing in the trash.
My quick thoughts:
Rich Abrahams was amazing, really hit his taper, and is a very nice person.
Ellen Reynolds is sick fast.
Richard Hughey is sick fast.
That 87 year old dude who went a 33 in the 50 free was beyond inspiring.
I never tire of watching Mike Ross' underwaters.
I enjoyed talking with Roque about his new suits.
Fried chicken at hospitality -- ew!
I didn't mind the warm up pool. It was just what I expected. The walls didn't bother me too much, though the bulkhead was slightly tough to pick up. And I didn't change my backstroke starts despite the slick walls.
The starters just sucked this meet, especially one woman on Saturday who was adding extra words in the commands, etc. They moved her to stroke & turn on Sunday and, from an instance I heard, that wasn't a great idea either because she didn't follow DQ protocol.
I noticed they didn't have officials always sitting at the 15 meter mark. They shouldn't assume us geezers and chicks can't dolphin kick (or do long breaststroke pullouts).
Just remember, if the race didn't hurt, then you didn't swim it hard enough. And the 200 *** is one of the most painful ones. You did great based on your time.
We'll see each other again soon, I'm sure. You should think about coming up for Colonies Zones. One big party with many that you met (even Stud).
It hurt and I felt :cane: in the second half! I was just wiped out from not getting quality sleep and being in the hot/humid Aquatic Center. I felt whipped when I woke up in the morning! So, knowing that, I'm VERY motivated for my next meet, because I want to get my time down! :banana:
When/where is Colonies Zones? I tried to find it on the event calendar, but it wasn't coming up in my search. :confused:
Had a friend there that was supposed to swim the 50 FR...would have definitely competed for one of the top 3 spots in his age group...
Even pool, lane 10...
Take your marks....stand...take your marks...nothing!!! There were 2 or 3 empty lanes next to him going back toward the timer...everyone else took off and started swimming. Myself and about 5 or 6 other people stood there, never having heard a sound...He went over and talked to the starter...starter refused to let him swim in a open lane in any of the following heats. There was no official on that end of the pool for that start...so she could not verify...she was out of position.
His son got kicked off the deck for arguing with the starter on behalf of his dad...
What a bummer! :bitching: I would say something a bit more harsh than that, but I don't want to get kicked off the forums... :blush:
Tracy, it was great meeting you, even thought it was very brief! I'm sure I'll see you at future meets! :D
That 22.10 swim by Rich Abrahams is absolutely jaw dropping. Just amazing.
I was amazed by how fast he was turning over. Not to say which is better, but I'm used to seeing the best masters swimmers sprint freestyle with long relaxed strokes. Rowdy Gaines comes to mind. Rich, on the other hand, swims the 50 like he's 20 years old. Awesome.
Had a friend there that was supposed to swim the 50 FR...would have definitely competed for one of the top 3 spots in his age group...
Even pool, lane 10...
Take your marks....stand...take your marks...nothing!!! There were 2 or 3 empty lanes next to him going back toward the timer...everyone else took off and started swimming. Myself and about 5 or 6 other people stood there, never having heard a sound...He went over and talked to the starter...starter refused to let him swim in a open lane in any of the following heats. There was no official on that end of the pool for that start...so she could not verify...she was out of position.
His son got kicked off the deck for arguing with the starter on behalf of his dad...
Congrats to Rich Abrahams!
I saw Rich turned 65. I thought, "man, that is gettin OLD...he's just going to have to admit it: he's old." 65, yeah (I go on about it as if it were decades away; I'm 58). So, anyway, in this meet with lots of fast swims I think his 49.42 in the 100 free has GOT to rank as, maybe, the best swim of the meet. Then he does a 24.94 in the 50 fly after a 56.32 in the 100 fly, all national records....easily! He's got the 50 free tomorrow. Wonder how that'll go? I am impressed. To perform the way he has performed year after year, at such a high level...well, this guy must be one crazy dude. Amazing swims, just amazing. Kudos to Richard Abrahams.
I will be happy to go on record and say I think Rich is a very nice down to earth guy who happens to be a masochist in the gym and the pool.
I saw him before the 100, "Anything that starts with a 4 will be good." And after the race I congratulated him on getting his 4, "yeah thanks." I would have been doing cartwheels around the pool ;) Of course, he might have been a little tired right after the race.
