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.
Well this isn't a choice...it's more like "by popular demand" I think...
(The early warm up did work for me Jeff, with a brief tune-up before the actual race)
Stud particularly enjoyed warming up first thing Sunday morning when it was himself and about 10 women in the lane since the women were getting ready for the 500 free. He seem to do a lot of practicing his streamlines that day.:bolt:
Invite Splash Pools down and have them set up an outside pool or two like they had at Rutgers in 2003 LCM Nats...was a great alternative to fighting the inside crowds...
I personally had no problems...swam for a few minutes nice and easy...even timed a few kick lengths in there...timed a few sprint bursts in between all the animals...got out...
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.
I agree that the warm-up pool could have been done differently. They could have had slow, medium, fast or even warm-up and cool-down areas. I was one who got passed just trying to warm up and some hot shot flew by me pushing me in to the lane ropes.
The stairwell access from the stands to the deck was bad, too. They could have made it a foot wider and much more accessible.
And the t-shirt vendor. Not good again. They printed a shirt for me with a huge crease where the logo was missing. I asked them to re-do the shirt and they got annoyed at my request. Well, then do it right the first time! People need to stop using them, they just don't do a good job and their attitude is poor.
And the announcement said there would be sports massage. Chiropractic is not sports massage!
It doesn't get any better than swimming to the sweet smell of fried chicken, my two favorite things.
I agree! Think I'll send word to the Auburn LC Nats planners to add ribs and BBQ chicken to the hospitality fare.
When I go to France, I expect to be served croissants. When I go to Germany, I expect to be served pork. If you come to the South, be prepared to be served fried chicken and barbecue.
Maybe ya'll will be lucky for future nationals in that GA Tech or the people of Georgia Masters swimming won't bid on a future nationals after all the bitchin that has gone on.
This was their first time hosting nationals at Ga Tech. The hosts will have learned a lot about hosting scy nats at Tech.
Then again, if anyone one on the forum can do better, please submit a bid for nationals.
Then again, maybe Georgia swimming won't host nationals again after listening to all the whinning.
Had my pinky finger broken in the warm up pool after the medley relay Sat morning. I was swimming like crap even before that, so it's not an excuse, but I would say the warm up pool was dangerous at best.
:twocents:
When you have a pointed thread like this, made for sharing disappointments, etc. it's gonna look whiny.
:2cents:
There is a difference in sharing disappointments, which I totally understand and whinning. This thread started off as sharing the disappointments but quickly turned into whinning.
Bite me, Mr I Live Within Easy Driving Distance And Didn't Show Up, I do more warmup than that. Hell, I swam 3900 yards on Friday.
Awww...you can give the ribbing of others but can't take some fun poked at you? AWWWW.
Lane 10 - Even Side?
True I do have a love-hate relationship with the 400 IM... and it was my 1st swim of the meet.
Several women scratched which landed me in the last heat.
I actually realized my worst recurring swimming nightmare of 45+ years in swimming:
Did not hear the gun go off!
When I looked to see if something was wrong with the starter, all I saw were the other girls feet sliding into the water off their start!
Talk about panic and adrenaline rush!
Well, now I know what it feels like - and hopefully that nightmare won't wake me up for the rest of my swimming career!
Can't give you even one single more.
I was the last swimmer out of the pool every day.
Always sorry to have big swim meets end :)
Loved seeing everyone in Atlanta!
