Montreal Outlook and New Water Toys!

Today was an easy day.  We don't get many of them but with the exception of a few "build orange to red" 200m swims, it was 20 starts, underwater blast 15m kicking and mostly high quality swimming for a little under two hours.

Each day I swim with this group I'm thankful for the opportunity I've created as a result of my hard work, talent and unique skill set I can offer the team in the way of technology.  I smile every day I'm on deck.  It's not an exaggeration.  The coaches motivate and uplift and the swimmers are driven and welcoming.  I find myself becoming integrated into the team a bit more each day.  I'm voted to the front of the lane during each kick set and backstroke set, although it's a simple gesture, I consider it as an honor.  I'm mentally preparing for my swims in Montreal in one week.  I'm proud of the progress I've made in just a month and a half.  Coach Mark Hill has revolutionized my freestyle and backstroke.  I envision my 50 backstroke and the real possibility that I might just skip the :26 second mark entirely.  I think I'm capable of a :25.xx swim, perhaps even now.  If not next weekend, soon.  I'm not sure if I've ever been this excited to compete at a meet.  I see it as my first benchmark after a massive change in my training.  It can only be a positive meet.  With the training changes I've made, combined with all the "race pace" swimming we do.  I'm ready to race RIGHT NOW.  I don't ever remember feeling this confident about my abilities in the pool.  I will be proud of my swims in Montreal, I can't wait!

I received my new swimming toys in the mail today.  New fins, new paddles, goggles, and goggle straps.  I'm looking forward to trying out the new fins.  They're unlike anything I've used before.  I had been using the Speedo "V" fins until they broke last week.  These new fins are the same ones the rest of the team wears.  They are better suited to REALLY fast kicking.  They have no heel, only a strap just above the heel that keeps your foot in place.  They are made of silicone rather than rubber.  This detail apparently reduces the possibility of blisters on the foot/heel area.  I haven't been very competitive during sets with fins, I'm hoping the new fins will help.  I think the larger issue is that I need to become stronger, I'm pretty skinny compared to the faster guys on the team.  Most of them have at least 20lbs on me, a safe assumption is that it's all muscle.  I haven't weighed myself lately but I'm sure I'm still under 170.  The two best sprinters are over 200lbs.  Interesting stat.