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Well, "Blogger" (the blogging framework I use for this site) has finally pushed me over the edge. It's just too frustrating to use. I've been waiting to port the site over to a better custom framework for a while now, so this is my excuse to make the change. I probably won't post on this site for the next few days while I set the new framework up on my new site.

I'm working hard to get all my new videos and pictures on the new site. Take care!

Training:
Well it's obvious I didn't train or prepare for this meet well. I need to set a schedule and stick to it. I also need to just plain work harder. My work ethic in the pool is lacking in a big way.

Preparation:

I was actually feeling pretty good before the evening session. It's like I needed to race a few times to get in the swing of things.

100 Back - Although certainly not a great time, it was 0.80 seconds faster than the day before with a 51.14. I'm a little disheartened that the best I can muster at a state meet shaved down is a low 51 second 100 backstroke, but it's motivation to improve. This is basically my best high school time... wow.

I ended up getting a room in East Lansing but must have slept on my arm weird, my shoulder is pretty sore.

100 Fly - I wasn't really feeling up to it, but dove in and split a 23.45 going out but really fell apart the last 15 yards and took second to Saucedo with a 51.08. That time really wasn't that far off of last year's 50.88. I'm ok with that time.

I got a quick 30 minute nap in the bleachers and they started the second session. I have no idea why they only give you an hour break between sessions, what's the big rush?!

50 Back - I just felt slow, I don't think I'm doing enough sprints. I swam a 23.45. That's significantly slower than my 23.01 from last year, or my relay leadoff last year of 22.78. Not good.

100 Free - This was a tough one to start with, I was NOT ready to swim 100 Free. I swam a 48.0x. The race hurt and kinda ticked me off. I hit the lane line about 7 times, I just couldn't seem to get away from it when I was swimming toward the starting end. It was like there was a current against my left side. Nobody else seems to do it, so it's all in my head. The whole race was just sloppy. Pretty much everybody beat me. In my age group alone, I was second to Patrick Saucedo.

I got a good warmup in and did some light stretching. I'm feeling a little tired but I should be ok. Didn't have time for breakfast, but I find that food just weighs me down in the morning, I'll be sure to get a good lunch. This morning I have a 100 Free, 50 Fly and 200 Free Relay with Schmitt, Mull and Saucedo!

After my first restful night of sleep in a week, I woke up an hour before my alarm. I had considered not shaving down for this meet considering my recent lack of training. I was confident that any time additions this year could more likely be chalked up to training or the combined 8 hours of sleep over the past 4 days. Since I woke up early I decided to shave with all my extra time. With my new razor preference, I set a personal best time of 43 minutes!

Swimming at community pools ensures I hear some great kid quotes:

Kid #1: "dude, your shirts on backwards"

Kid #2: "I don't care"

Kids are hilarious...

I could write a book on how to NOT prepare for a swim meet based on the last week of my life. I've gotten so little sleep I can't even seem to count the hours... if that makes sense? Before this week I typically work an average of 16 hours a day but this week has just put that schedule to shame. I've been juggling a workload that leaves me working 30 hours at a time. I love what I do so I don't even notice it but jeez, I really feel horrible (not surprisingly). The only good news to report is that I've been in the pool each day.