Let's be positive here folks as this was a superb meet. Here's my TT list of likes (in stream of consciousness, not necessarily priority)
Too many inspirational / motivational people and swims to count
Meeting many (but not nearly enough) forumites & bloggers
Mark Gill announcing -- keep the guy on the microphone as much as possible (Paul Smith, think caffeine drip and catheter setup:))
The dry side facility -- smoothie stand, spectator seating, the view of both courses, the scoreboard, the reaction times on the scoreboard
Ga Tech Hotel -- exceeded expectations
Ga Tech Trolleys and easy access to the pool
Starbucks across the street from the Ga Tech hotel (gull, FYI)
Location / easy airport access
Indoor facility -- I love to train outdoors and race indoors
The super-friendly support staff / volunteers running things with efficiency and southern charm
1. Hitting the pool deck upon arrival and hearing, "Elaine-iaK!!!" coming from a booming voice behind me. It was Ande. :cool: Getting to meet Ande was #1 on my list of forumites to meet!
2. Allen Stark, the other helpful and generous forumite who I owe a big "thanks" to, for sure. Allen actually took the time to watch all three of my breaststroke events (Well, make that two, because he watched the wrong person on the 50 breaststroke and sent me a PM that I was pausing between my outsweep and insweep. I didn't know he watched the wrong gal until the next day, so my night was filled with weird dreams trying to figure out what the heck he was seeing. I sure didn't see it on the videotape my husband shot! :confused:) But, seriously, he DID watch my other two events and gave me fabulous constructive criticism. Allen, you're a gem! :D
3. Meeting Alison and Anna Lea who have been so supportive and nice to me as a newbie! :agree:
5. Finishing a lap in the warm-up lane, hitting the wall, and seeing Cullen Jones in the lane next to me. I wished him good luck in his 50 free, he flashed me that warm :D and graciously thanked me. Then, after he won, he graciously posed for a photo with me before going for his warm-down. Tiger Woods, take note: Cullen should be YOUR role model!
6. Having the opportunity to even compete at Nationals, given my newbie and slow (at the moment!) status. :cane: Just wait and see! One of these days, I'll be strong enough to finish the 200 breaststroke FASTER than I started it!
7. Just being able to swim again, for that matter. I didn't think it would be possible, after having serious shoulder surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
8. The generosity of all of you! And, the encouragement I received from my fellow forumites! :bighug:
10. MY HUSBAND BEING THERE TO SEE ME SWIM COMPETITIVELY FOR THE FIRST TIME! He not only sat there patiently for three days straight; he filmed my races and put up with me abandoning him for hours at a time, so I could meet forumites. :bighug: & :kiss1:
Elaine touched on so much of what this is all about :)
1. Hitting the pool deck upon arrival and hearing, "Elaine-iaK!!!" coming from a booming voice behind me. It was Ande. :cool: Getting to meet Ande was #1 on my list of forumites to meet!
2. Allen Stark, the other helpful and generous forumite who I owe a big "thanks" to, for sure. Allen actually took the time to watch all three of my breaststroke events (Well, make that two, because he watched the wrong person on the 50 breaststroke and sent me a PM that I was pausing between my outsweep and insweep. I didn't know he watched the wrong gal until the next day, so my night was filled with weird dreams trying to figure out what the heck he was seeing. I sure didn't see it on the videotape my husband shot! :confused:) But, seriously, he DID watch my other two events and gave me fabulous constructive criticism. Allen, you're a gem! :D
3. Meeting Alison and Anna Lea who have been so supportive and nice to me as a newbie! :agree:
5. Finishing a lap in the warm-up lane, hitting the wall, and seeing Cullen Jones in the lane next to me. I wished him good luck in his 50 free, he flashed me that warm :D and graciously thanked me. Then, after he won, he graciously posed for a photo with me before going for his warm-down. Tiger Woods, take note: Cullen should be YOUR role model!
6. Having the opportunity to even compete at Nationals, given my newbie and slow (at the moment!) status. :cane: Just wait and see! One of these days, I'll be strong enough to finish the 200 breaststroke FASTER than I started it!
7. Just being able to swim again, for that matter. I didn't think it would be possible, after having serious shoulder surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
8. The generosity of all of you! And, the encouragement I received from my fellow forumites! :bighug:
10. MY HUSBAND BEING THERE TO SEE ME SWIM COMPETITIVELY FOR THE FIRST TIME! He not only sat there patiently for three days straight; he filmed my races and put up with me abandoning him for hours at a time, so I could meet forumites. :bighug: & :kiss1:
Elaine touched on so much of what this is all about :)
