26.99 in the 50 Back

As I've mentioned a few times, the pads on the far end of the pool are very slippery. This is the end we start on during the 50 meter events.  The pads are a nightmare for backstrokers.  Lots of swimmers slipped, I did a very conservative start and kicked out to 15 meters fairly fast.  I surfaced and had a great 25 meters till I hit the lane line and hugged it till the end of the race.  I died like usual in the last 10 meters and touched in a 26.99. I wanted to be faster but considering the start, that is actually a decent time.

I'm ranked 2nd going into the finals!  One other swimmer is a 26.78 so that is within striking distance for me.  If I have a good race and stay away from the lane line, I think I can finish well in this event.

The time still doesn't come near my lifetime best time of 26.64 but ranks 4th in my life which is pretty good considering the start, or lack thereof