2014 FINA World Championships - 100 Free LCM

Almost surprisingly, my first swim went as well as can be expected considering my training level.  I entered the event with a 56.51, a conservative time based on some recent SCM meet performances.  2 years ago at long course nationals, I swam a lifetime best of 51.59, a time I considered downright epic for my capabilities.

100M FREE SWIM RECAP

I took it out very controlled.  I was concerned that I would get too worked up and rush the first 50m.  I've been known to take out this race fast and die at the end.  I dove in, took a few butterfly kicks and found myself almost a body length ahead of my competition when I brokeout.  The rest of the first 50m I was smooth and long through the water.  Watching the video later I saw that my arm/leg speed was much slower than my heat, a fact that I'm comfortable with.  By the first wall, I was in 5th position in my heat.  Since I had planned my race, I was relaxed about that.  I began to pile on the effort coming home, all while gaughing my energy level to ensure it wasn't too ugly the last few meters.  I had started to gain on the 5 swimmers that were ahead of me by the time the last 15m buoy passed.  I set my sights on a swimmer to my left and sprinted to the finish.  In hindsight I should have made that last effort sooner.  Teammates watching me told me later how much I gained on the pack in the last 5 meters.  I had too much energy left at the end.  I touched the wall in a 56.26 and finished 2nd in my heat, passing all but one swimmer in the last 5 meters.  Although I'm happy with my swim, it should have been a 55 second race.

I finished 14th in my age group, a stat I can accept.  I'm wishing I had at least lost some weight for this meet.  I'm attempting to tow around too much fat.  I need to lose about 15 lbs.