The 200 free was my first event and the first event of the day. Heat 4 of 5. Seed time of 2:15 was based off of the 200 scm a couple months ago and looking to improve slightly. Training had gone backwards since making the estimate and also being sick. Still thought I'd give it a shot as the couple practices before had seen a noticeable upturn even though not back to where I was before. Lane next to me had the same seed, so thought it would be a good match-up. Went out fairly quick in the first 50, but not all in, staying with the next lane. Similar to the previous race. Messed up the timing pad on the return, not used to how much those slide after the grip of the wall. Still holding ok. Past 75, however, things really went downhill. Body was screaming for energy, but not like normal fatigue in a set. Hung on what I could, but the field just pulled well away. Really could have used a solid workout before the meet to get it back, but there was no chance for that. Saw later that the next lane went 2:18 and split very much like I had hoped to, so it could have worked very well for me.

200 Free: 2:26.81

I had planned to be in the 500 free (last event of the day), but after how the 200 went decided to drop it. Wouldn't tell me anything as aerobic system wasn't with it. I had put in for a 50 fly and went ahead with that due to how short is it. Felt fine the first part of the 200. Had actually entered in to the 50 free with the understanding I'd do fly. Free means any stroke, not just front crawl. The timing had been better for my original schedule as the actual fly event was close to the 500.

Loosened up a little for this event, but not much. Didn't feel like I needed to. Had seeded :34. Best guess from some things in practice, but had never timed a 50 fly before. Had the center lane on this one too, not helping with just wanting to be there, but oh well. Dove in and surfaced up near the middle of the pool, normal for me. Needed a pair of kicks to get back to the surface with a little momentum as timing of the dive isn't quite honed in yet. First wall comes so soon when going off the blocks. So much less to swim. Hit the open turn much more instinctively than I have in the past. Used momentum much better. Did what I could holding the lead on the return, neighbor had a similar seed. Form felt ok so far as I could tell, things just going automatically. Recovery was going very well, getting arms around quite easily, usually a difficulty. Wasn't sure on power, but just got done with it. First time out don't do too much at once. Felt fine at the finish, a bit more energy than I'm used to having after fly, so probably could have gone harder. But got my first one in the books with this stroke.

50 Fly: :33.06

Don't know how to not ever get sick. It happens.

Did pick up some more valuable meet experience. Think it's good to do from time to time. There are lots and lots of things to do in becoming a better swimmer. Getting into a meet really puts everything out there. Those little details are all highlighted. Really helps to step up the focus in training, swimming is just on a whole other level than other sports we're used to. Learning those details will help training and to translate into tri swimming and other multi-sports.