Neil Brophy checks his time in the 200 free.

Well, those who bet against me swimming the 400 IM can collect on those bets. After the poor showing in the 100 breast yesterday, I laid down in bed at about 8:15 PM when we got back to the hotel. The next thing I knew it was 1:30 AM. I turned the TV off and went back to sleep until about 6 or so. I then ate breakfast and puttered around the room and played on the computer for a while. I was planning on going to the pool to warm up and then decide on whether to swim the IM or not, but the odds were against it. I didn't even make it to the pool until after my IM heat, so that sealed the deal.

Four RAMS swimmers participated in the XI FINA Masters World Championships at Stanford University from August 4-11. Jim Matysek, Jack van Landingham, Betty Dunn and Neil Brophy all participated in the swimming events at Stanford.

Event results and open water results are available from the meet web site.

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.

Jack gets off the blocks ahead of the pack.

Jack on the blocks before his 100 breast.