I had a Plan. It was not a Brilliant Plan, but it was a Reasonable Plan. And it is pretty exciting to be typing up The Report.I executed The Plan.
I swam the 400 metre warm-up I practiced. I dove in, started to swim, and realized I was breathing way too fast and way too shallow. I was nervous, or excited, or both. But I managed to slow it down throughout the warm-up. Then I worked a bit on turns. Because turns at Ottawa U are different than they are at Plant. I can just hear you asking, “Why?” On account of the bulkhead!! Touch and turn – no wall to grab!
I swam sans goggles. It was The Plan, because I need to wear a seal mask type to accommodate the plate in my face. Not particularly good for diving! I really wanted to do block starts.
First event: 100 metre free (short course). It went better than expected. It was to be my “throwaway” event. First dive start. Goggleless flip turns. All of the turns were a bit far from the wall, but I didn’t miss any! Yay for not missing any turns!! No electronic timing, but one of the timers said: 1:19! (I entered myself at 1:25.) Then there was a moment of terror – what if I had just left it all in the pool? (Qualifying time for Worlds 2006, Women 45-49, long course: 1:29.5.)
Second event: 100 breaststroke. According to the timer: 1:37.76 – I had entered myself at 1:42. (Qualifying time for Worlds 2006, Women 45-49, long course: 1:54.0.) Apparently I didn’t leave it all in the pool!
Final event: 100 individual medley (1 length each in the following order: fly, back, breast, free). Standing behind the blocks I realized that I was having some sciatica, and my hamstring was seizing. Came off the wall weird after the butterfly leg, sooo not straight. Oh well. According to the chief timer: 1:31.12. (Entry time: 1:37.)
Whew!!!! First meet in 30 odd years. Under my belt. Many thanks to the volunteers who officiated and made it possible! And to my friend Jeanne who insisted upon coming along to see how it all panned out.
Now I’m sitting on a hot pack, heading back to the Ironman Florida athlete tracker, but for those of you who need to ask, yes I did unpack my swim bag!!!
10 comments:
Congratulations - great execution and excellent results! I love it when a plan comes together.
I'm sure that someone at Technosport would think well of it too. I'm not sure that you'd ever actually hear that though! ;-)
Very nice of Jeanne Robertson to serve as cheering section and guardian angel oversight.
Thanks Brent!!! I'm bordering on thrilled.
I winked when I told someone at Technosport that with a little training I could get back to age group times! Someone said, "A lot of training."
Pat Niblett was impressed to hear about your Berlin results. She asked me if I was swimming the Winterlude meet. (I said if she would, I would!) She had a hip replacement in March and was marshalling this meet.
Jeanne, I think, was even happier than I. We went for "breakfast" afterwards.
Wendy, it all sounds like a good and fun day, but I have to admit I am not all that savvy on the lingo of swim meets. But you did it and I congratulate you for efforts and good results. Am not sure about how one uses the blogs, but am willing to learn. Celebrate for sure!!
Wendy, congratulations on a great meet. It sounds like you executed your plan to perfection.
I can't imagine swimming without goggles in a pool - I have enough trouble when I can see where I am going.
Once again - congratulations for a great effort and terrific results.
Joyce, welcome to blogland!!! Thanks for stoppin' by, and for the encouragement! You make a good point -- there is a language for every specialty. I'll think about doing a swimming lingo post one day. But if you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to answer them here or in email.
Al, from one planner to another, that is high praise indeed! I was pleased, too, that the training plan I set was effective. I may do a post on swimming without goggles, too.
Most of the tri-bloggers had an outstanding day at Flipper!!! Awesome!!!!
Wendy,
I find it astonishing that you're swimming at all, let alone competitively after all those years of training/therapy just to walk well with a cane. Amazing, well done!
Congratulations indeed!
I fully expected The Plan to be executed successfully. There was no other option, as Buckners can be "determined" when they've set themselves a goal.
Having Auntie Jeanne (a.k.a. A Force of Nature)in your corner for the first meet in 30 years was an excellent addition to The Plan.
One should always have back-up!
Dave, thank you very much. It means more than you know.
Andrea, yes, Auntie Jeanne is definitely an ace in the hole.
I prepared as best I could. But race day can always bring unexpected surprises!
great races. great report.
well.done.
look forward to meeting you for breakfast on Saturday!
CELEBRITY BREAKFAST!!
i love the off-season!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Bold!!
Celebrity Breakfast indeed!! With a guy who not only goes sub 12 in becoming an Ironman, but beats *Pat Lafontaine*!! You so dressed her in black!
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