Pool feels good

I just dove in the competition pool for warmup. I began with a 100 free like I always do then flipped and began swimming backstroke. A few seconds later I notice I'm swimming under the 30 foot banner under the video screens of the Olympic Rings. It gave me chills and I got a big smile on my face. I'm really here. Its really happening.

The pool is good, its just the slightest bit cold, great for fast swimming. The info sheet says its 80 degrees. The warmup lanes move fairly quickly as swimmers alternate burst speed and slow swimming. There isn't a non-physically fit body on deck. I see lots of smiles and handshakes between swimmers and coaches. I just saw Randal Bal for the first time, he's on the USA team for backstroke and narrowly missed the 2004 Olympic team in the 100 back. He's one of the people I will be watching in prelims if he's not in my heat.

I'm gonna go try on my race suit and do some practice backstroke starts.