Running them down

We had another race-pace type set today.  It was 3 times through:

100 (75 race + 25 cruise)
2 x 50 (#1 race + #2 cruise)
3 x 25 (all race, get out and walk back)

I held my own in the 75's, in the 2nd fastest group, finishing at the same time as the other swimmers (an accomplishment for me!), the 50 was similar, I finished ahead of one swimmer, a tenth of a second behind the other.  The 25's seem to be going better and better lately.  Each set thus far, I've been singled out by the coach and praised for great racing.  This first set I won all three 25's against two other swimmers, one of them being a 19.8 second 50 freestyler.  Oddly enough, I would be even with the other swimmers, they would excel in the underwater and breakout portion, and it would always take me a few meters to find my stroke.  However, when I found it, I started running these guys down.  I finished the 2nd 25 and the coach exclaimed "Doak is running you guys down in the last 5 meters!".  It put a big smile on my face, partially because I was singled out, partially because I feel like I'm actually improving and these other guys must see it as well.  Two weeks ago I was getting ruined by everybody.  Now I'm hanging with these fantastic swimmers on a small portion of the sets.  The second round was backstroke with fins.  A talented backstroke/butterflier was paired up with me for the set.  This guy has incredible underwaters and swims a  100 fly in 45 seconds.  He was pulling a body length on me at 15 meters every single time.  When the round was finished, I had to say something to the coaches.  I said, this guy is demolishing me underwater!  The coach responded "well, he swims a 100 fly in 45 seconds, what can you do?!"  I replied, "I don't know yet but I'm going to figure it out!".  After the 3rd set I thought it was only right to share with the swimmer what I had said about him.  I said "just keep doing what you're doing, you were just killing me underwater".  He replied, "yea, but as soon as we hit the top (above water), you were running me down".  We shared a laugh and got out.  The third round didn't go so well.  It was with fins and paddles freestyle.  I was moved up into the first group with the fastest sprinters.  I did not swim well compared to them at all.  I finished dead last on each of the swims.  It was still very useful to see the difference between myself and the most talented swimmers on the team.  I find I do significantly bad on the fast swims when equipment like fins and paddles are added.  These additions multiply the surface area on your hands and feet.  This also means that you have to have the muscle to harness all that extra surface area.  I, unfortunately do not have the muscle to take advantage of these devices.  This is where muscular swimmers just ruin me.  It was pretty pathetic.  I got beat by about 2 body lengths at the 50 meter mark.  Really quite sad in comparison.  Regardless, I'm learning every day and I hope to keep improving.  I feel great and look forward to racing again!