[1]Yesterday was my first event for the meet, the 100 breast. I did a 1:16 out at long course nationals last year and was hoping to beat that time or at least come very close to it. Not this meet. I did a 1:19.23, three full seconds off of last year's time. It just didn't feel good from start to finish. I felt like I couldn't get a good turnover going out, but that didn't stop me from dying coming back. I could tell I was just getting lower and lower in the water on the way back, but I couldn't correct that no matter what I tried. I ended up listening to Mark Gill announcing for the meet and heard him saying my name and making up more stories while I swam. Oh well, I guess I can't fake myself into believing I'm actually in shape for this meet. Jack got 15th in his 100 and I got 30th. Jack probably has a good shot at cracking the top ten in his 50 breast. I feel like I may be able to do a decent 50, but the 200 is scaring me. In order to do a good time, I'd need to take it out in around my 100 time and I know that's not going to happen. We didn't get to the pool until later in the morning and warmed up around 11 AM. It was a zoo. There are two 25 M warm up pools, but there are 5500 swimmers here using them. It reminded me of the old 1970's marathon AAU events. You can't possibly get a good warmup in the middle of the day. Have to remember that for future days - get here early in order to warm up with (hopefully) less people in the pools and more pools available.
Finding a place to sit in the shade is also challenging. Every shady spot is generally taken. It's also tough to walk around the deck with so many people around and half the deck taken up by the marshalling tents and pathway to the blocks for competitors. We ended up sitting high up in the stands of the stadium pool in order to get shade in the afternoon. Those who went to the Arizona nationals will remember climbing the stairs in the heat to get up high in the shade. It's the same here, but not as hot. Climbing up and down those stairs all day wears you out.
Today (Sunday, day 3) I'm supposed to do the 400 IM but I'm scratching it. I just can't see doing that event when I'm tired, sore, and not prepared.