PAY Winter Freeze 2.15.09

The meet was a great experience, both in and out of the water! We had a chance to catch up with many Drexel swimming alumni. I was also able to talk to some fellow Xterra athletes, one of which qualified for Worlds this past year. I even got to see one of my Roanoke buddies, Trent Johnson. I hadn't seen him in at least 10 years. He came just in time to catch my 50 free. My old teammate Vitali Beregovoi's mom was swimming in the meet! It was great to see her and the family.

I also met up with Drexel parents: Michelle Smith, Meg's mom who was volunteering at the meet; and Christine Keisling, Mike's mom who was swimming in the meet! I met (Drexel swimmer) Amanda Brown's old coach too, she also swam!

We got to the pool at about 8:30am, and the seating was already a problem. The meet was fairly full, and when we looked at the heat sheet we knew it was going to be a long day. We jumped in for warm-up when the kids pool opened, we also decided that was where we were sitting for the meet (competition pool was too crowded). The kids pool was warm like a bath and rough to warm up in, but they re-opened the main pool for warm-up before the relays so it was no big deal.

I have to say I was really feeling the excitement for the 50 free, my first race in over 3 years (I think?). I had no idea what to expect since I haven't been training all that much. I've been averaging one practice a week for the past three months, which is actually pretty good for me. I popped in for a 4k workout on Friday morning, which I actually think did more harm than good. I was exhausted on Saturday and Sunday.

So I get up to the block, 2 & 1/2 hours after the meet has started, already tired and hot and just not feeling it. All of the sudden that energy came back. The whistle blew twice and it was like old times. I honestly don't remember anything after the start except for the turn. During warm up I rammed my ankles against the wall; it was hard to see the wall and judge the turn, and the wall was low in the water and easy to break feet! So I took it easy on the turn, found my feet position and kicked off the wall hard. I did have a decent start, but my starts really aren't what they used to be (since I haven't really practiced them in 8 years).

I was coming into the wall and gave everything else I had to the finish. I finished strong and jammed my right middle finger into the wall (immediate pain). I had to tape up the finger for the rest of the day (it's black and blue right now). I shook hands with everyone and turned to see my time. I could hardly believe I just went a 24.8 in the 50. I was confused more than excited about it. Whatever, I'll take it!

I got in for the warm down and felt fine. My legs weren't burning at all, I felt great! The 100 IM came up fast. This was the one I was worried about (not really tho), but I hadn't swam breast stroke or back stroke in many years....same goes for the fly I suppose. My backstroke is not pretty at all, but I can manage to get going pretty fast with the strong kick off the wall. My start in the IM was good, backstroke was awkward but fine, felt strong but short in the breast..then free. I was dead, and just survived to the wall. Legs were definitely burning after this race. I finished in 1:04.1, not my best but could have been worse.

For the fly, it was just Otmani and I racing, so it was going to be fun. I wasn't overly excited about this race, but I was more curious to see if I could still sprint the fly. Start was ok but off this time. I was tired I guess. The kicks underwater weren't as strong. My timing was off on the turn so I had to kick to the wall. By then I started pulling it together somewhat and finished with a decent time- 27.2.

The meet was a lot of fun! I had a good time seeing everyone and talking to all of the swimmers, alumni, parents and old friends. I always say that the swimming community is small, and for me this world gets smaller every day.

Times Compared SCM:

50 Free:

4.2005 - 24.74 | 2.2009 - 24.8 = 22.2

50 Fly:

4.2005 - 26.42 | 2.2009 - 27.22 = 24.39

100 IM:

This was the first time in SCM - 1:04.12 = 57.45
Last time in yards - 56.49 on 10.2005

IM Video:



50 Fly Video:

A Million Birds

With luck, I had my camera right next to me when I shot this video. Everyday at sunrise, you can watch a million birds fly over, doing their morning routine. It's really unbelievable. One morning drive to Philly, these birds brilliantly decided to take their flight over I-95. They dove in, right over the highway, and scared all the rush-hour drivers.

A Million Birds

2009 & Back

Starting off the new year with new back problems. First off, I haven't been working out due to new sciatic nerve issues. I'm having knife stabbing pain running down my left back, through the butt into the leg. Not a herniated disc thankfully. This all started right after I got home from Georgia. Even though that kept me sidelined, the real issue started yesterday. My back is going into spasm after intense spasm. I can't move, sit, lie down....heat doesn't help. I've tried massage....My back problems have always occurred on the left side, this time I've injured some major back muscles on the right side. I have never been more miserable, and this includes having the herniated disc.

I have been going through this for years. It's time I actually start working on a game plan to forever fix, or at the very least improve, the back issues. First of all, bring down the inflammation...Physical therapy seems like the next obvious step. Maintenance. Strength. I'm not a big believer in inactivity as a problem-solver. I'm all about active healing and recovery, however, right now I seriously can't move. I can't stand for more that 10 minutes tops. Coaching on the pool deck will not be fun this week.

I'm looking forward to getting back to a workout routine. I have big plans and goals for 2009. I'm very excited about the new Xterra 2009 schedule, and am already planning out my races. I also intend on getting back into some competitive swimming. Possibly considering shooting for an All-American status in the 50 this year, SC or LC, and am working on qualifying for Srs. I can't let the team have all the fun.

I'll have more details on this later. I'm also really into photography right now, and I've picked an awesome new lens for the Rebel.

My main passion, other than Xterra, swimming and photography, has and will be coaching. I can't express how much I enjoy it.

I'll post workout results as soon as I can move, literally. Tomorrow I'm crawling into the doctor's office. Wish me luck!!