Well, not really in charge, the Coast Swim Team is pretty self sufficient. But when a scheduling conflict prevented Coach Stewart from attending, it was up to Coach Joseph to muster the troops.
Before the meet, I organized the team conference call and relay assignments. There were only 6 of us going so not much logistics to plan out there.
Going into this meet, Coast was leading the small teams in overall points for the year and with 6 swimmers at the meet we were well placed to regain that title for a second year in a row.
Going into this meet, Coast was leading the small teams in overall points for the year and with 6 swimmers at the meet we were well placed to regain that title for a second year in a row.
I was swimming the 400m Individual Free, the 50m Individual Backstroke, the 25m Individual Backstroke, the 200 Medley Relay, the 200m Individual Free, and the 200 Free Relay.
I arrived early to setup our teams area. I was able to get a decent warm up in as well, practicing my backstroke, breaststroke, and turns. I also did some practice starts off the block.
Soon the meet was underway.
My first event was the 400m freestyle. As I walked up to the block, I began to question if starting off the block was necessary. How much would I gain over such a distance? I ignored it and climbed up.
The start went off, I jumped in, and my goggled came off. I should have listened to my gut. I stopped at the end of the first length to put my goggles back on before proceeding. I could now see I had fallen way behind. Had I done an in water start, I would still be pacing with everyone else in the heat.
But this was the first event and I had nothing to prove to the strangers in my heat. Just finish and get the points for our team.
Despite the mishap, I still managed to swim under my estimated time and claim 2nd in my age group.
Estimated time: 7:20
Actual time: 7:17
2nd Place in my age group
After watching a few more events, including our Coast Swim Team women's 200 Medley, it was time for my 50m backstroke.
My start went very well. I was able to work on my underwater start and executed it well. I need to work on my breath timing. For a 50m or 25m back, I can just chug along, but if I ever want to do something longer I will have to really focus on timing.
On the first 25m I missed the flags that signal you are close to the wall and ended up hitting teh wall with my arm. The shock was so great that I stopped.
What are you doing!? Keep going!
I turned and continued on, missing the flags again at the other end and hitting the wall to finish the event.
Estimated Time: 0:55
Actual Time: 1:00
2nd Place in my age group
After several more events and cheering on more of my teammates, it was time for my 25m back.
It went pretty much the same as the 50m, minus the turn.
Estimated Time: 0:24
Actual Time: 0:24
1st Place in my age group
Next came the 200m Medley Relay. With so few of us there and with our points standings being so high, we all ventured out of our comfort zone to do some strokes we would not normally do.
Next came the 200m Medley Relay. With so few of us there and with our points standings being so high, we all ventured out of our comfort zone to do some strokes we would not normally do.
For this relay, I was swimming breaststroke.
When it was time for my hand off, I climbed onto the block, waited for the wall touch, and was off!
I was told later that my dive off the block was so perfect that everyone around suddenly stopped what they were doing and stood in shock for a moment. I guess no one expected a guy of my size to be able to go so far and so smooth when diving.
My stroke felt good and I made great time! Although I found out later that relay times do not count toward personal or team bests.
The 200m Free was up next, but I was in heat 3. I had plenty of time to use the washroom before it was my time.
My stroke felt good and I made great time! Although I found out later that relay times do not count toward personal or team bests.
Estimated Time: 1:20
Actual Time: 0:54
1st Place in our team division
When I came back to the pool deck, 2 of our teammates had missed their heats! Luckily, Liz was able to get a spot in my heat.
My 200m felt good. I had a good start off the block (with no goggle mishaps). Although I kept a strong stroke, I was starting to feel the effects of the previous events. I was wiped.
After the 200m, I was finished with my individual events. Up next was the 200m Free Relay.
This was my last event and since I was swimming anchor, I knew I had to push. When swimmer number 3 touched the wall, I had a great jump off the block and swam hard! Last event of the day and I gave it everything I had.
Estimated Time: 3:20
Actual Time: 2:25
2nd Place in my age group
After the 200m, I was finished with my individual events. Up next was the 200m Free Relay.
This was my last event and since I was swimming anchor, I knew I had to push. When swimmer number 3 touched the wall, I had a great jump off the block and swam hard! Last event of the day and I gave it everything I had.
Estimated Time: 0:40
Actual Time: 0:38
1st Place in our team division
I was very happy with my performance at this swim meet. I was very happy to be more comfortable jumping off the blocks to start as this was outside my comfort zone a few swim meets back. However, I will not be jumping off the blocks for anything over 200m moving forward.
I will continue to focus on getting my backstroke more under control and maybe do some longer distances in that discipline in the future.
Here is a link to the official Coach Stewart's blog entry for this event.
I'd love to get more familiar with the other strokes in general. This would have come in handy for when I went to Provincials (coming soon)
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