L - R: Stacey, Gords, Goody, Josh, Sue, James, Rachel, Annie Photo courtesy of Todd Frehse |
Started out doing a couple of relays with Annie Stanish, Sue Frehse, and James Rogers. In the 200 Medley we got 2:13. In the 200 free relay we got 1:55. I was pretty happy with that. I was hoping for under 2:00 and we got it!
Then I started prepping for the 500 free. I visualized this race and tapered well for it. I wanted 5:45 badly. I asked Todd to take my splits and to give me a thumbs up if I was going slower than the following:
100 free - 1:04 (1:04 split) actual time = 1:04 (1:04 split)
200 free - 2:10 (1:06 split) actual time = 2:15 (1:09 split)
300 free - 3:18 (1:08 split) actual time = 3:26 (1:11 split)
400 free - 4:26 (1:08 split) actual time = 4:36 (1:10 split)
500 free - 5:30 (1:04 split) actual time = 5:44 (1:08 split)
Here are the official splits. These were all aggressive numbers I was giving him. Cause he only gave me one thumbs up on the first 100. Anyway, I kept my stroke long and pulled hard and kicked hard. I was very pleasantly surprised that I wasn't getting so winded that I had to back down.
It can be pretty intimidating swimming next to a guy that looks like a tiger. - Photo courtesy of Mr Wiley's FB page |
The guy in lane 4 next to me was from Utah State: DJ Wiley, he's got some awesome tats along his arm and shoulder and he looks like a total bad dude. Not an ounce of fat on him.
I was thinking I'm gonna get killed by this guy. At the 100 I was steady with him, and each hundred yards I was getting another few feet. At the finish I was about 15 feet ahead of him. I was shocked. He must have been really tired from previous events he did.
I looked up at the finish and landed 5:44.75! Woah, I don't think I could have gotten any closer to my goal had I been looking at the clock right there at the touch pads and tried to land right on 5:45. I was pleased, but at the same time, a little disappointed that I didn't completely shatter my goal. I caught myself right there and said to myself, "Don't be greedy Mr G!" and decided to be thrilled and feel blessed to actually get under my goal. I took third place overall. I'll definitely take it. Here is the results for the 500.
My WFPBC cap ripped putting it on, so I look like a doofus. Oh well. Went with the Napolean look for warmups. Love the SLOW group we have! Photo by Todd Frehse |
I'm eager to get back into distance training a little and this tapering work always makes me feel a little guilty, like I'm a slacker. Dennis is trying to put together a masters meet in March. I'd love to shave even a little more off that 5:44.75.
No comments:
Post a Comment