Mason Recap

First impression:

Mason has a fantastic facility! I was really impressed. It was a new (2006) clean facility that was designed really well for training as well as meets. It was deep enough for racing and had a great gutter design. I expected some fast times based on the facility. I was glad to see some of my favorite MSU Alumni in attendance and that in itself made the meet that much more fun. I swam the 200 Medley Relay, the 50 Fly, 100 Free and 200 Free Relay. I had signed up for the 50 free but the meet was moving so fast that I would have gotten less than 10 minutes rest prior to my 50 fly, therefore I scratched. Results are posted on the results page but here are my times:

50 Back (part of the 200 MR) - 26.63 SCM
50 Fly - 25.85 SCM
50 Free (relay split in 200 FR) - 23.97 SCM
100 Free - 56.71 SCM

The backstroke was decent, not fast. The Fly was a solid swim and within a second of my best time of 25.0x. The 50 Free was just ok at 23.97, I expected to be faster with a relay exchange. The 100 Free was beyond ugly. Alec Mull just owned me on that one. I hung with him for the first 50 and the rest of the race it looked like I was out for a Sunday stroll. I just couldn't rev it up, I was dead after the first half of the race. I need to do some serious speed work and kicking. I've said it many times before... I have a long way to go.

I've come to the sad reality that swimming in the Short Course Nationals in early December may not be realistic. I simply don't have what it takes to make the cut right now. It's sad but true. I'll have to look for another meet to taper for. I'm disappointed in my training and my recent performances.

In closing, Mason was a great meet and I'm sure to attend next year if they continue to host it. Great Job Mason!