Rough, yet fun, first day at Short Course Nationals!

My swims are certainly nothing to brag about, but the meet is a blast! Thus far it seems that the entire event has been nearly flawlessly planned and executed. I'm incredibly impressed by the facility, staff, and volunteers. They're running two 10 lane pools concurrently, one is swimming even heats, the other swims odd heats. A friend Mark Gill is doing most of the announcing, which simply translates into fantastic announcing! I notice that almost EVERYBODY is trying to get one last swim in with the tech suits before they're illegal for good (hopefully). It kind of amazes me that people still want to use them knowing they've already been ruled as giving an unfair advantage. I think it boils down to wanting to be competitive... call me crazy, I just don't get it. I'm proudly wearing a traditional Speedo brief... and one of the only people here doing it.

200 Back
I REALLY didn't want to have to start the meet out with an event I haven't swam in over a year. I'm out of shape and unmotivated to tear up a 200 backstroke. With FINA spec Omega pads, I knew my start would be a challenge. These starting pads are comparatively slippery when compared to Colorado or Daktronics pads. I hopped in and performed a very conservative start. My kick out to 15 meters was solid and my first 100 yards was downright on par with some of my best 200 Back swims. I was out in a 55.31. Really not too bad. My 150 split was just ok, and then I fell apart and got passed by two guys in body suits. I touched in a 1:57.75. A few seconds slower than I even assumed I would go, taking into consideration how out of shape I am. I ended up taking 3rd in my age group. Splits below:

25.91
55.31 (29.40)
1:55.05
1:57.75

100 Fly
I have to admit, I really didn't care about this entire first day. It's two events I don't exactly pride myself in. There were some serious hitters in the 100 Fly, I was seeded next to Jeff Dash, a swimmer from University of Arizona who I know I've seen at some USA meets, perhaps Olympic Trials. The starter seemed to hold us a long time, and to my right I saw Jeff flinch a little. My dive and kick out was pretty good. My turns weren't really anything great but I was with the pack on the first 50 splitting 23.42. On my 2nd turn at the 50 I saw Jeff to my right just power away from me with underwater kicking. The rest of it was just sloppy and a little painful bringing it home in a 28.90. I touched the wall in 52.32, one of the slowest 100 Fly times I've ever done. I ended up taking 5th in my age group (I had been seeded first... ha!)

23.42
52.32 (28.90)

I'm still really happy to be here, the experience of swimming in an actual Olympic facility is incredible! I don't think I'll have a single good swim but it's ok, I'm here for the ride. Last night I visited the Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, it was a really nice venue, very well maintained with some neat sights. I followed it up with a trip to the worlds largest Aquarium! Lots of amazing fish and a very impressive facility. If you haven't been and love fish, you MUST go!

Today I have the 50 Fly and 50 Back, a nice easy day! I'm hoping I can at least place well but I'm not expecting any good times at all, I just don't feel the speed this weekend. This is what NOT training hard enough feels like. You get out what you put in, and I didn't put much in! Thank for reading!