Deciding which events to swim

Placing at nationals is a big thrill. So if the dilemma is between doing a good time vs. strategically entering an event that you could medal in, then I would always go for the hardware event!!! I'm liking your thinking.......but not going to Auburn this summer....and I have done that before - it was my main reason for getting into doing the 200 fly in the first place (10 years ago) except I came in 4th! I have specifically entered the 200 fly (circa 2006 Coral Springs?) when I wasn't in good shape - but I thought it was actually possible to place highest in this event since people bail at the end of nationals, and in particular, very highly attended nationals where the meets are long. And I won it! I did not "cheat", and yes, I believe I totally deserved it!!! I showed up, and only about 4 other girls did, too! Pick & choose your events wisely, I say! Had that happen too once, on the 800 free, last event of the day, most people went home and I went on to win out of the 3 of us! Sometimes it will be a default slam dunk, and other times you have to really fight just to get close but maybe not get the place you wanted. Totally agree, although I can get very de-motivated or maybe demoralised coming in 9th out of 10, where there is a huge gap between me & 10th place while 6,7,8,9 are within 1/2 sec of each other - seems to happen mostly on 200 free... It's all for fun!!!! :applaud: Absolutely! Please remind me of that when its time for me to swim the 200 fly this June at SMU!

Placing at nationals is a big thrill. So if the dilemma is between doing a good time vs. strategically entering an event that you could medal in, then I would always go for the hardware event!!! I'm liking your thinking.......but not going to Auburn this summer....and I have done that before - it was my main reason for getting into doing the 200 fly in the first place (10 years ago) except I came in 4th! I have specifically entered the 200 fly (circa 2006 Coral Springs?) when I wasn't in good shape - but I thought it was actually possible to place highest in this event since people bail at the end of nationals, and in particular, very highly attended nationals where the meets are long. And I won it! I did not "cheat", and yes, I believe I totally deserved it!!! I showed up, and only about 4 other girls did, too! Pick & choose your events wisely, I say! Had that happen too once, on the 800 free, last event of the day, most people went home and I went on to win out of the 3 of us! Sometimes it will be a default slam dunk, and other times you have to really fight just to get close but maybe not get the place you wanted. Totally agree, although I can get very de-motivated or maybe demoralised coming in 9th out of 10, where there is a huge gap between me & 10th place while 6,7,8,9 are within 1/2 sec of each other - seems to happen mostly on 200 free... It's all for fun!!!! :applaud: Absolutely! Please remind me of that when its time for me to swim the 200 fly this June at SMU!