24.18 in the 50 LCM Free

I slept well and arrived at the pool in plenty of time for my event, the 50m Freestyle.  Since this is not an especially competitive meet for me I knew almost any decent performance would earn me an evening swim.  During warmup I really wasn't feeling very good in the water.  I felt sluggish, just run down.  I really haven't taken a break in about 2 weeks so it kind of makes sense.  I was hoping to touch in a 23-anything to put me in striking distance of the ever elusive 23.49 Olympic Trial cut but it just wasn't there this morning.  I had a sloppy race and touched in a 24.18, significantly behind the trial cut.  While reviewing the video, I'm finding my freestyle worse looking than ever.  I truly have bad form, it's a miracle I can hack my way through the water in 24 seconds.  Moving forward I will work on my form, I think a better stroke will yield a time drop.  I don't know if it will earn me a 23.49 but at least I'll be less embarrassed to watch my freestyle videos!

I'm feeling like I'm running on empty at this meet.  My first swim, the 100m Free was good but everything since then has been sub-par.  I will swim the finals this evening in the 50 free as well as the prelims 100 backstroke but I'm considering scratching my finals 100 backstroke and heading home early instead.  I just don't think there's much left to give at this meet.  I need some rest.

On the brighter side of things, I've really enjoyed West Lafayette, Indiana!  This is a great college town.  I chose to stay close to campus and was pleased to learn that there is a free Trolly which picks me up right in front of my hotel and drops me off at the pool.  It couldn't have worked out better!  The campus is really nice and the area is easy to navigate.  There is a great selection of restaurants and shops around where I'm staying.  The pool is great and the meet has been running very smoothly.  The weather has been ideal, just a little brisk in the mornings and not too hot during the day.  I went out to dinner with a few CW teammates last night so it's been nice knowing a few people at the meet and having a few people to cheer for.  I've met a few coaches while on deck including Akron, Toledo and Purdue's head coach.  Everybody has been really nice.  I sincerely hope I get to swim another meet at this facility, it would be great to visit this city again!