Lifetime Best 100m Free!

I just achieved a lifetime best time in the 100m Free LCM!  My time of 53.87 was even faster than my tapered and shaved time of 54.13 two years ago at Indy!  My time today was nearly a full second faster than the Eric Namesnik Grand Prix time of 54.81.  I was even more excited to see that I took it out (reached the first 50m) in a 24.61!  Obviously at the 50 I did a flipturn which means I touched the wall with my feet in the same time I SWAM the 50 Free two months ago at the Grand Prix in Ann Arbor.  That part impressed me the most.  My time in relation to the other swimmers at the meet was not great but respectable.  I took 37th out of 134 swimmers.  The top 20 make it back for finals in the evening.  It was a very fast few heats at the end, a few 50.xx and many 51.xx including a few from Club Wolverine.  I was very impressed with how my teammates swam, especially considering it was only prelims!

The downsides of my race were extensive.  All the revolutionary stroke changes I've worked so hard on during the last 7 weeks were ENTIRELY forgotten during my race.  The only part I remembered was my start.  I had a decent start but my hands broke away from each other once I hit the water which slowed me down.  I knew I would probably abandon my new stroke during the race but I was disapointed that I didnt even try some shoulder or body driven stroke at all.  My teammates and coaches all took notice and brought it to my attention after my race.  It was slightly embarrassing but I feel it's a known fact that I'm still learning the new strokes.  Overall, I feel like I sort of paniced once I started racing.  I just defaulted to what I knew best, my stroke that I've used my entire life.  It's understandable but unfortunate.

Based on my first 50 of my 100 meter race, I'm REALLY looking forward to the 50 Freestyle on Sunday!  I feel a 23.xx for sure.  The Olympic Trial cut is a 23.59 and based on my performance today, I feel it is within reach!