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:
4. The tons of hours, blood, sweat, and tears that Ed and the other volunteers must have put in to make this meet a success. THANKS!! :applaud: And, Mark, you cracked me up!!! The best announcing ever!!!
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:
9. Nationals being in Atlanta, just a 45 minute drive away, so I could afford to go!
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:
The donuts
The Trolley
The elevator
The friendly people
Ed
The elite USA-S swimmers
The crowd enthusiasm
Relays
Seeing Rich Abrahams swim
Racing against Bob Strand and Jim Clemmons
Ed for doing a great job.
Watching sooo many astounding swims.
Seeing Qbrain swim a very nice 200 Free but luckily not quite fast enough.
Mark Gill announcing - 'nough said.
Lots of room on deck to get around.
Hospitality!!!! 'Nough said.
Actually, I do have 3 heads, just like in the picture!
I wanted to change the pic before nats but our laptop died and I couldn't upload any pictures. I'm on FB, if you want to friend me :D I'm sorry I missed you and Gull.
I spent a lot of time with forumites over the weekend, so I don't remember who this conversation was actually between, but it was quite funny.
A: Have you met Karen Duggan?
B: No, I have no idea what she looks like. I know what her kids look like, but no idea what she looks like.
I heard that comment! Can't remember who made it either. Fortunately, I was able to spot Karen right away and get a few chats in! :) (Sorry about your finger. Ouch.)
And I did get to meet Gull finally, however briefly.
1) I told Mark Gill that I would have paid the entry fee to listen to him clear the pool after warmup. He cracks me up. I adore his announcing.
2) Meeting some (not nearly enough) of the forumites - Leslie, Alison, Wolf and seeing others that I already knew like Chris and Ahelee.
3) Watching amazing swims by amazing swimmers - from the elites to the races of my teammates, just so fun to see so much good swimming.
4) The friendliness of the everybody I met in Atlanta - so helpful and kind to lost travelers.
5) hanging out with my swimming buddies - what could be better?
6) Ribs, Blues and Beer on Sunday with some good friends. Perfect end to a fun meet.
7) Inspiring swimmers, often not the stars who are out there competing. All of them are my heroes and I hope I am as gritty and determined as they are.
8) PB's in the sprints? Who would have thunk it? My meet was not great but my 50's were really fun.
9) Teammate Colette having all PB's since her *** cancer treatment and hanging on to win the 200 fly. I had tears in my eyes, I was so happy for her.
10) Last SCY nats in the 45-49 age group. I know the next one is fast too, but OMG. These chicks are smoking fast. And there are so many of them.
I hope you're getting a royalty for this; if not, I'm sure there are some ambitious lawyers amongst the forumites who could help you extract your fair share of the profits, maybe a modeling / sponsorship contract for the new line, future input to design, etc. Milk it, Q, milk it.
I don't think me modeling the suit would help sales much, so I will stick with pursuing those royalties.
3. Meeting MANY forumites, usually on accident :)
I spent a lot of time with forumites over the weekend, so I don't remember who this conversation was actually between, but it was quite funny.
A: Have you met Karen Duggan?
B: No, I have no idea what she looks like. I know what her kids look like, but no idea what she looks like.
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 :)
I have never had that much fun at a swim meet -- it was awesome!
Here are my top 10:
1) Seeing my GAJA teammates that I already knew.
2) Getting to know other GAJA teammates.
3) Cheering my teammates on.
4) Conquering the starting pads on my backstroke starts -- the last two were good!
5) Swimming faster than I ever thought I would at the meet. Very pleasantly surprised. Good feeling to know that hard work is starting to pay off.
6) Relays!! After being an IMer and distance swimmer in college, it is nice to be on relays again.
7) Running into someone from my old age group days up in Virginia.
8) Being inspired by the 60+year old swimmers, WOW! I hope I am still swimming at that age.
9) The chiropractors.
10) Knowing that I don't have to put that speedo suit on again for a while.
