Gaining Confidence

Club Wolverine is throwing a big meet for post graduate swimmers in November.  I recently learned I would be welcome to compete.  I'll be swimming at least the 100 Back, perhaps the 100 Fly as well but most importantly, they offer the 200 Medley Relay!  I have always loved that event since it gives me a chance to tag an official time for a 50 backstroke.  To those who don't know, since the lead swimmer is doing backstroke, it is a legal in-water start and finish.  The rest of the relay is forced to do a relay exchange which negates their swim from being counted as an individual 50y/50m time.  This has always given me a great chance to achieve many more 50 backstroke times since it's rarely offered as an individual event.  

Anwyay, I'll have the chance to lead off a 200 Medley Relay at this meet!  As me and another team member were talking about it in the locker room, I mentioned that I wanted a shot at that 50 backstroke.  After some joking, he replied "I don't know, (insert name) is pretty fast at the 50 back".  It was an understandable reply to my confidence charged aspiration of wanting the spot on the relay team.  I didn't reply at all, just smiled and thought to myself "I'm faster than that guy".

Understand that it's no disrespect to this other backstroker.  He's significantly faster than me in the 100m and 200m distances.  However, there is only one event I pride myself in, and it's the 50 backstroke.  I would never say I have some sort of superhuman speed by any means, but I don't think many people would disagree I'm moderately quick in the event.  With a summer of training and barely any coaching, I broke the 25-29 USMS World Record with a 26.64 in the event.  I can honestly say that I'm noticeably faster and better trained now.  I don't think a 25 second swim is outside the realm of possibilities.  The exciting part is that I'll have a chance to swim it in a pool I'm comfortable in very soon!

I think I have what it takes to lead off the best 200m Medley Relay Club Wolverine can put together.  I look forward to proving it.