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Sink or Swim Classic - Swim


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Vernon Hills, Illinois
United States
Libertyville Masters
Total Time = 00m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Got up, got ready, drove over.
Event warmup:

Did laps in the diving well for a bit, enough to feel ready to go. It's all one big pool with the competition on the one end, a movable bulkhead in the middle, and the deep end diving section left open for us to do whatever.
Swim
  • 00m
  • 1500 meters
  • / 100 meters
Comments:

100 bk: 1:26.63
100 fr: 1:12.65
100 IM: 1:25.7 (DQ)
200 fr: 2:35.43

Had some time between most events, so did a bigger warm-up early, then a few laps a couple heats before each event to loosen back up. 100 fr to 100 IM was a bit tighter as there was only 1 small event between them. No relays as I would have been swimming immediately after one of the events. This was my first time truly being in a meet, so wasn't sure how I'd respond.

First up was 100 backstroke, event #5. I didn't know what to put for seed times in anything, so the coach helped with this. I hadn't done a meet before and this was in SCM whereas practice has been only in SCY for some time. This one seemed rather ... ambitious at 1:18, especially when it put me right next to one of our strong backstrokers. Start is strong, but a bit unrefined, keeping up with a good part of the first length. Then just steadily fell behind from there. Did ok hitting the turns, especially since I don't have flags much of the time and they move due to the SCY to SCM switch (both ends). Stroke 1,2,3,4 I dunno, just go for it. 50m splits were consistent and felt strong as I wasn't fully sure how to pace for a race. Happy with the time as I wasn't even sure about hitting 1:30. Well behind everyone else in the heat, but that seemed to happen all over the place

Rested up for the 100M free, event #9. 4 people from the team were in just this heat paired off on either end, though one dropped out. Lined up on the blocks next to another team mate. Seed was 1:11 for this which did seem reasonable. Only feels like a soft hop off the blocks, but I consistently come up half a body length ahead of anyone without a dolphin kick. Swam what I could and had some trouble seeing as goggles were fogging some. The far end turn was a bit tricky with the bulkhead moved. More of a rhythm thing than the actual distance as this is one of our practice pools. Made the turn holding on to the team mate. Came back to the start and totally messed up this turn. Gray timing mats I couldn't see until about a foot away. Couldn't rotate fully, nearly hitting my heels on the ledge. Had to double hit for a good push-off and lost a noticeable distance to teammate. Tried, but not really able to turn on any more speed as I just don't how to go faster well enough.

Short recovery and a little easy swimming right away before the 100 IM, event 1, as there is only 1 short event between and just a few heats of the others. On my own for this one, 1:18 seed and all the way in lane 8 of a fast heat. Another very ambitious seed considering I'm all over the map in ability for the various strokes. Dove in, seeming to be placed well when I broke the surface. Hoped to remember which stroke I was doing here. Got into fly and held my ground with the others I could see even though I just went through the motions. Lost some ground on back, as expected. Lost huge ground on breaststroke, also expected as it's easily my weak stroke. No idea on free as they were too far ahead. Surprised at the time, but the official at the pool side let me know I was DQ'd due to a little bit of flutter kick on the breast stroke. I didn't, but didn't argue the point. My kick doesn't go nearly as wide as normal due to a knee issue, and could be confused with a flutter based on that if someone doesn't know this. Would be a bit much to ask of them.

Had more of a break before the my last event, 200 free, #17. So sat for a bit before warm-up up again. This one was right in the middle in lane 5 with a team mate in lane 4. Identical 2:32 seeds. Dove off with similar results. He pulled ahead in the first 50, which I expected as like most he starts out a bit too fast. I kept it strong and steady, reeling him back in over the 2nd 50. Pulled ahead in the 3rd 50 in spite of form slipping some. Regathered my focus near the turn and pulled away a couple sends in the 4th 50 with a faster split.

Watched a couple other team mates in the next heat racing next to each other. Came in with identical times, officially splitting the placing.
Post race
What limited your ability to perform faster:

Work on turn-over. Need to be more familiar with going faster to do so.

Figure out this strange energy problem. Still plaguing me at times. Things "hurt" during the events, but not in the gut-buster burning way one usually associates with these efforts.




Last updated: 2013-11-03 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:00:00 | 1500 meters | / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Suit:
Course: Pool swim, everything in SCM. Seems easier to do it this way than create a report for every swim. Just guessed on the overall as that has warm-up too. Warm-up section is not a standard distance.
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2013-11-04 11:50 AM

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: Sink or Swim Classic


2013-11-04 12:00 PM
in reply to: #4891857

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Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Wow, very interesting reading a pool swim event write-up!  Too bad your turn got messed up in the free, sounds like you had a great race just the same.  Fast!!

2013-11-04 12:01 PM
in reply to: #4891857

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Royal(PITA)
14270
50005000200020001001002525
West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Fantastic!

 

Having never participated in a Master's meet it would be hard to seed properly and manage the time between the different events.  You did well!

2013-11-04 12:29 PM
in reply to: #4891857

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Veteran
1677
1000500100252525
Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic
Great job, Ben! Great to see you putting yourself out there and doing something totally new to you.

What are swim meets like anyways? I've sort of contemplated doing one, but then I get concerned with all the people doing 100's on sub-1:00 time and me coming in around 1:20, but maybe it's not that bad
2013-11-04 12:29 PM
in reply to: QueenZipp

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Master
4452
200020001001001001002525
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Nice work!

2013-11-04 1:09 PM
in reply to: ligersandtions

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Originally posted by ligersandtions Great job, Ben! Great to see you putting yourself out there and doing something totally new to you. What are swim meets like anyways? I've sort of contemplated doing one, but then I get concerned with all the people doing 100's on sub-1:00 time and me coming in around 1:20, but maybe it's not that bad

Abilities are all over the map. Some people will be very good. Others can't hardly do the stroke. The loudest cheering was for a girl in one of the fly events who could just barely move along with it. Basically, they take a big list of everyone signed up for the event and put them into heats based on their time. So you swim with people of similar ability, so long as you can seed reasonably well. This is a smaller meet, so it was mixed men/women too. Some events are much smaller and only had 1 heat, but others had maybe 7. The final results are still by age-groups.



2013-11-04 1:23 PM
in reply to: bcraht

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Master
9705
500020002000500100100
Raleigh, NC area
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Nice job!  Way to start off your master's meet career :-)

2013-11-04 1:30 PM
in reply to: #4891857

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Elite
7783
50002000500100100252525
PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Nice work Ben!  Sucks on the DQ but some great results!

2013-11-04 2:08 PM
in reply to: axteraa

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Master
6834
5000100050010010010025
Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Really cool work on the RR. It looks like you'll have your seeding and such figured out in no time.

2013-11-04 2:14 PM
in reply to: #4891857

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Elite
3779
20001000500100100252525
Ontario
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Saw your times, and thought geez those are solid times for SCY - then saw it was all SCM.  Very nicely done.  That hard work in the pool has really paid off.

2013-11-04 2:18 PM
in reply to: GoFaster

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Oooooh a swim meet! Very cool! And so cool that it sounds so inclusive.

Great job, it certainly looks like your hard work is paying off.

Also, very cool that you are doing something that I assume is a little out of your comfort zone.

 

Keep an eye out for loose seals ..



2013-11-04 2:27 PM
in reply to: Asalzwed

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Originally posted by Asalzwed

Oooooh a swim meet! Very cool! And so cool that it sounds so inclusive.

Great job, it certainly looks like your hard work is paying off.

Also, very cool that you are doing something that I assume is a little out of your comfort zone.

 

Keep an eye out for loose seals ..

I scan the roster for them.

2013-11-04 2:54 PM
in reply to: #4891857

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Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Great write up. Sounds like an interesting and challenging day.

Congrats on your first meet. Can't wait to see how you do with more experience!

2013-11-04 2:57 PM
in reply to: brigby1

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Champion
10550
500050005002525
Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Very cool!  And wow, F.A.S.T!!!   

Is there any way to advise the swim officials before the race that your kick isn't as wide on the breast stroke?  (asking because I have no idea if that's something that can be done or not)  

Those times are ones that I can only dream of - great work!!   

2013-11-04 6:51 PM
in reply to: 0

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Veteran
945
50010010010010025
South Windsor, CT
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic
i knew you were a fish...holy crap, and you are a fast fish!

that must have been a hoot. i remember when I did the nutmeg state games (track running) and I got to buy spikes from Dicks's and try them out
in a venue that was new to me--i'd imagine it was a bit like that
(I was the only one that took a standing start without blocks for the 100M-still came in second-ha!)

you held your own quite well, Ben, excellent events, congratulations!
were you very tired at the end? it seems like a lot of racing but both my little men were on the HS swim team and those kids can bust out race after race...

we need a bit more rest (well, me, at least...you're still pretty young)

Edited by dtoce 2013-11-04 6:52 PM
2013-11-04 7:19 PM
in reply to: #4891857

User image

Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic
So what was your bike split?


Great job Ben. Stop swimming so much. You're starting to look like a triathlete!!!


2013-11-04 9:01 PM
in reply to: blueyedbikergirl

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Originally posted by blueyedbikergirl

Very cool!  And wow, F.A.S.T!!!   

Is there any way to advise the swim officials before the race that your kick isn't as wide on the breast stroke?  (asking because I have no idea if that's something that can be done or not)  

Those times are ones that I can only dream of - great work!!   

I dunno. Probably try to keep working on it so it's not an issue.

2013-11-04 9:03 PM
in reply to: dtoce

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Originally posted by dtoce i knew you were a fish...holy crap, and you are a fast fish! that must have been a hoot. i remember when I did the nutmeg state games (track running) and I got to buy spikes from Dicks's and try them out in a venue that was new to me--i'd imagine it was a bit like that (I was the only one that took a standing start without blocks for the 100M-still came in second-ha!) you held your own quite well, Ben, excellent events, congratulations! were you very tired at the end? it seems like a lot of racing but both my little men were on the HS swim team and those kids can bust out race after race... we need a bit more rest (well, me, at least...you're still pretty young)

Possibly like that. It's been difficult for me to truly go all in unless I'm absolutely familiar with things, though I can still go quite hard.

Right after each event I was a bit tired, but after a minute to catch my breath it wasn't too bad. I probably could have done a moderate swim workout later in the day.

2013-11-07 11:11 AM
in reply to: brigby1

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Regular
5477
5000100100100100252525
LHOTP
Subject: RE: Sink or Swim Classic

Ben, this is just amazing to me.  You are really strong in all three sports, and I love how "into" swimming you have become.  I wanna be like you when I "grow up" ;)

Your times are F-A-S-T.  Dang.  You are inspiring me to get some pool time with a masters group.  I have really been dragging my heels, but I know you and Nicole have both said it's helped so much, and your times certainly show that something's working :) Way to put yourself out there and do the swim races.  Kudos.

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