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This is a long one... just some thoughts

Today was the first session of the Bulldog Aquatic Meet at EMU, I decided to only swim the 200 back this afternoon. I'll swim the 100 back and 50 free starting at 1:45pm tomorrow. The 200 back went about as well as I can hope for considering where I am in my training. I went a 2:16.17. I believe I could have gone much faster. However, considering how tired I feel in addition to my increased training this past week, my time is satisfactory. I'm actually very pleased with my first 100m split at 1:02. This is exactly where I should be if I chose to swim this race at a larger competition.

I came across the Olympic Trial TV schedule, I'll also post this in my calendar.

I just figured out I broke the Masters National Record at the Ohio State Grand Prix at 26.75, the old record was 27.42 held by Robert Hauck since 1993. This record makes 9 national records in 5 months. I'm proud to be mentioned among such honorable names in Masters Swimming! I just barely missed the world record, it was a 26.68 held by Martin Harris from Great Britain since 1994.

I had a few people ask what "FINA" stands for. FINA is the governing body of swimming, it means "Fédération Internationale de Natation". You can find world rankings on their site: http://www.fina.org. My current rankings are:

50m Back LCM: 95th in the world (26.75)
100m Back LCM: 107th in the world (57.00)
50m Back SCM: 64th in the world (25.15)

I want to thank some news sources for mentioning my swimming:

Another great day training, I've been thinking about the meet at EMU this coming weekend. I'm not going to rest up at all before the meet. This means I probably won't have very impressive times, however, I think it will still be great long course practice.

I took a few cool pictures at the Jones pool yesterday before practicing, they are posted in the pictures section of the site

I like these panoramic pictures because it's rare to see the Jones Natatorium totally empty. This is where I train every day.

I volunteered at the disability meet today. I was both proud and amazed to be part of this experience! I've watched and participated in countless meets in my life, but not a single one was as inspiring or smile inducing. These athletes are incredible. I didn't know what to expect going into it, I was sure I'd see some great swims considering their conditions, but this was just awe inspiring! I saw athletes without limbs just absolutely HAULING through the water, great stroke form and really good times!

I'm headed to go watch and hopefully volunteer at the Long Course Disability meet today at EMU. I'll practice after the meet is over. I posted a new video of some practice starts. I've been experimenting with a new type of backstroke start, I haven't decided if this new start is faster or more efficient. I've been using the video at half speed and quarter speed to analyze it. The full speed (hold on to your hats) and the half speed versions are posted