Let me first say that I had a blast in Atlanta and enjoyed every minute of it (even the last minute of the 1000), so this list is somewhat tongue in cheek:
10. No Starbucks within walking distance of the Hampton Inn.
9. The taste of an Italian soda called "Beverly" at the Coca Cola Museum; it reminded me of viscous lidocaine--what is with that?
8. The stairway access to the pool deck from the stands.
7. Missing out on a medal in the 200 free relay because eight of the teams finishing ahead of us were from "regional" clubs representing entire states.
6. Two swimmers from TXLA trying to recruit my 87 year old father to join their team instead of swimming for Nitro.
5. No Starbucks within walkiing distance of the pool.
4. Turning at the bulkhead, although I nailed all of mine.
3. That one starter who shall remain nameless.
2. Not getting to meet Rich Abrahams, among others.
1. It ended.
Parents
Former Member
Here is one idea: give exclusive use of the pool to men for 15 minutes and then to women for 15 minutes (Swimstud can choose either or both since he is the Stud). That way every man and every woman can actually swim laps in the pool. What we saw this past weekend during the 30 minute warm ups looked like a dog paddle exercise. Would that be a better compromise: 15 minutes to actually swim vs 30 minutes of gridlock?
I'm sure Mark Gill would do a stellar job clearing the pool at the 15 minute mark but it would definitely be a challenge to keep the total break to 30 minutes if you have to include the buffer times to clear the pool twice.
Jeff
When I was in high school, we would attend a meet in Philly called Eastern Prep Championship. This was a private school meet at LaSalle.
Private schools from all over the Eastern United States would attend(in otherwords, large crowds)
LaSalle had a six lane pool. The pool looked old(it is) but fast. The warm-ups were just as Jeff described. A general warm-up period for anyone, then 45 minutes for guys and 45 minutes for girls. The next day, it would flip as to who got first warm-up.
The diving well(which was probably 15 yards wide, was open for continuous swimming.
Jeff idea is one to consider, though it should be longer than 15 minutes. 15 minutes is a Wolfy warm-up. The rest of us need longer.
But I have seen this type warm-up protocal done before, it works and people swim fast.
Here is one idea: give exclusive use of the pool to men for 15 minutes and then to women for 15 minutes (Swimstud can choose either or both since he is the Stud). That way every man and every woman can actually swim laps in the pool. What we saw this past weekend during the 30 minute warm ups looked like a dog paddle exercise. Would that be a better compromise: 15 minutes to actually swim vs 30 minutes of gridlock?
I'm sure Mark Gill would do a stellar job clearing the pool at the 15 minute mark but it would definitely be a challenge to keep the total break to 30 minutes if you have to include the buffer times to clear the pool twice.
Jeff
When I was in high school, we would attend a meet in Philly called Eastern Prep Championship. This was a private school meet at LaSalle.
Private schools from all over the Eastern United States would attend(in otherwords, large crowds)
LaSalle had a six lane pool. The pool looked old(it is) but fast. The warm-ups were just as Jeff described. A general warm-up period for anyone, then 45 minutes for guys and 45 minutes for girls. The next day, it would flip as to who got first warm-up.
The diving well(which was probably 15 yards wide, was open for continuous swimming.
Jeff idea is one to consider, though it should be longer than 15 minutes. 15 minutes is a Wolfy warm-up. The rest of us need longer.
But I have seen this type warm-up protocal done before, it works and people swim fast.
