It's been a while since States, and we're ready to get back into the swing of things with the slate of meets lined up for fall. Lexy has aged up into the 11-12 age group, so we have different objectives this year: just swim your best and try to drop time. I believe she achieved those objectives this weekend.
We only swam one day of this meet, which will probably be our strategy for the season. Since we'll be relocating next year, we need our weekends to work on getting things cleaned up/organized/repaired/thrown out. This year, the chances are pretty slim that we'll be devoting entire weekends to meets as we have in the past.
Lexy had a very good meet, even though it was her first swimming in the 11-12 age group. She was seeded pretty well in all four of her events, which helped tremendously.
In the 100 Breaststroke, she was seeded 27 of 66, and dropped two seconds, from 132.29 to 130.13. Breaststroke has always been a good event for Lex and it was great start to the day.
In the 200 IM, she was seeded 31 of 71, and managed a drop of 6 seconds! She went from a 2:59.88 to 2:53.92. That was just delightful.
In the 100 Free, she was seeded 34 of 102, and finished about a second slower, but no major change.
Finally, in the 50 Fly, she was seeded 47 of 82 and finished again, about a second slower.
Overall, she had a great day, but the competition will get tougher as the season progresses.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Long Course State Championships, Day Four
Ahh, Sunday. It's the last day of long course championships, and I'm just getting comfortable with my surroundings. We pack up, check out, and make a beeline for the Lake Michigan beach. We hang out for a couple of hours, soak up some sun, watch the sailboats head out for the day and, finally, head over to the pool for Lexy's last four events.
Today Lexy has 50 Breast, 200 IM, 50 Free, and the Free relay with three of her teammates. In the 50 Breast, she drops 0.23 seconds, to finish at 48.55. Right on her time -- respectable.
It's the 200 IM where Lexy decides to surprise us. Going in with a 3:20.14 and knowing she could really take some time off after her surprise 50 Backstroke time in the relay, I watched and dutifully copied down split times. She had a great 50 Fly length and then it looked like she was getting slower. But then -- lo and behold! She wound up with a 3:14.78! Way to go, Lex, you really showed us you could swim.
The 50 Free, just a few minutes later, was right on her best time -- no real change there.
Then, in the 200 Free Relay, the girls had a good chance for a medal, as they were seeded 8th. Lexy swam her 50 Free leg at 36.84, which is 0.13 better than her best time. I know she was tired but she gave it her best shot. The girls came in 9th or 10th -- they'll bring home a ribbon--but it was fun anyway to have the relay.
We headed home tired, but satisfied that Lex has had a great summer season as a 10 year old. Lexy turns 11 on Friday and, when she starts swimming as an 11-year old in the fall, that will bring a whole new round of challenges.
Today Lexy has 50 Breast, 200 IM, 50 Free, and the Free relay with three of her teammates. In the 50 Breast, she drops 0.23 seconds, to finish at 48.55. Right on her time -- respectable.
It's the 200 IM where Lexy decides to surprise us. Going in with a 3:20.14 and knowing she could really take some time off after her surprise 50 Backstroke time in the relay, I watched and dutifully copied down split times. She had a great 50 Fly length and then it looked like she was getting slower. But then -- lo and behold! She wound up with a 3:14.78! Way to go, Lex, you really showed us you could swim.
The 50 Free, just a few minutes later, was right on her best time -- no real change there.
Then, in the 200 Free Relay, the girls had a good chance for a medal, as they were seeded 8th. Lexy swam her 50 Free leg at 36.84, which is 0.13 better than her best time. I know she was tired but she gave it her best shot. The girls came in 9th or 10th -- they'll bring home a ribbon--but it was fun anyway to have the relay.
We headed home tired, but satisfied that Lex has had a great summer season as a 10 year old. Lexy turns 11 on Friday and, when she starts swimming as an 11-year old in the fall, that will bring a whole new round of challenges.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Long Course State Championships, Day Three
In an effort to get "up and at 'em", we went in search of Lake Michigan this morning. How can a lake that big be so hard to find? I just got so turned around in downtown Holland (I know, that was my first mistake), that I got really frustrated. It was raining anyway, so we gave up, parked, and window-shopped.
Today's events were a far cry better than the past two days. Lexy swam just two. First was the backstroke leg of the Medley Relay. Backstroke hasn't been her strong stroke this year, but today she did an awesome job! Backstroke is the first one out of the chute in this relay, followed by breaststroke, fly, and free. She's been languishing at 46.89 for a 50 Meter backstroke for about a month -- but today, she dropped three seconds, finishing at 43.87! This is even within the state qualifying time for this event. Something must have clicked there, though I don't know where or when.
When it came to the 100 breaststroke event, I felt she would do well. She ended up dropping .41 to finish at 1:46.47.
In the afternoon, the sun had come out, so we got ourselves a REAL map, and headed over to Holland State Park. We gathered up our umbrella, towels, and I grabbed a book, and we sat on an actual beach for a couple of hours. Lexy played in the surf and dug in the sand just like I did when I was a kid, but she didn't get to lick her arm and taste salt. Definitely missing the salt.
Just one day left for states, and there will be four events tomorrow. A busy day -- see you then!
Today's events were a far cry better than the past two days. Lexy swam just two. First was the backstroke leg of the Medley Relay. Backstroke hasn't been her strong stroke this year, but today she did an awesome job! Backstroke is the first one out of the chute in this relay, followed by breaststroke, fly, and free. She's been languishing at 46.89 for a 50 Meter backstroke for about a month -- but today, she dropped three seconds, finishing at 43.87! This is even within the state qualifying time for this event. Something must have clicked there, though I don't know where or when.
When it came to the 100 breaststroke event, I felt she would do well. She ended up dropping .41 to finish at 1:46.47.
In the afternoon, the sun had come out, so we got ourselves a REAL map, and headed over to Holland State Park. We gathered up our umbrella, towels, and I grabbed a book, and we sat on an actual beach for a couple of hours. Lexy played in the surf and dug in the sand just like I did when I was a kid, but she didn't get to lick her arm and taste salt. Definitely missing the salt.
Just one day left for states, and there will be four events tomorrow. A busy day -- see you then!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Long Course State Championships, Day Two
After a relaxing morning wandering downtown Holland and finding some fun buys, we headed back to the pool. I dropped Lex at the door and then wandered the streets of Holland looking for someplace, anyplace, to park. I'm sorry to say, I had to park illegally, in the hospital parking lot. I'm thrilled that so many kids qualified for states and that so many people showed up to watch them swim. I'm less excited about this daily ritual.
Today was more fun for Lexy since she wasn't the only swimmer in the 12 & under category! Her teammates Nehemiah (a.k.a. Nemo), Bridget, and Jenny came to keep her company (and also swim their qualifying events). It was a special treat to see Jenny since her family moved to Texas a few weeks ago, and they've come back especially to swim at States. A brief but fun reunion!
Nemo and Jenny did really well; both got on the medal stand having finished in the top 8 in their 50 Fly events. Bridget also finished well, right on her best time. Lexy, well, not so much. Her only event today was the 200 Free, normally an event where she shines. Lexy has always been more of an endurance swimmer than a sprinter, so I felt confident going in that she would do well. However, she was a little slower again. Not enough to cause concern -- she's still well within the qualifying time range.
We have two days, two relays and four events to go. I hope she can find her motivation and bring her pool face with her.
Today was more fun for Lexy since she wasn't the only swimmer in the 12 & under category! Her teammates Nehemiah (a.k.a. Nemo), Bridget, and Jenny came to keep her company (and also swim their qualifying events). It was a special treat to see Jenny since her family moved to Texas a few weeks ago, and they've come back especially to swim at States. A brief but fun reunion!
Nemo and Jenny did really well; both got on the medal stand having finished in the top 8 in their 50 Fly events. Bridget also finished well, right on her best time. Lexy, well, not so much. Her only event today was the 200 Free, normally an event where she shines. Lexy has always been more of an endurance swimmer than a sprinter, so I felt confident going in that she would do well. However, she was a little slower again. Not enough to cause concern -- she's still well within the qualifying time range.
We have two days, two relays and four events to go. I hope she can find her motivation and bring her pool face with her.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Long Course State Championships, Day One
Here we are, at Lexy's second trip to Long Course State Championships,this time in Holland, Michigan. Lexy had a pretty good year, getting six qualifying times during the season. Because there are so many kids who need to get through all their events, the meet starts on a Thursday and goes through Sunday. In all, she'll swim six individual events and two relays.
Her first event for the weekend was the 400 Freestyle, which I think went pretty well. She was seeded 11th of 24 competing, she swam just 8 seconds slower than her best time, and still a qualifying time (6:00.39). There was quite a long wait between warm-ups and the time she got to swim, so I'm sure she lost a fair amount of adrenaline along the way, but I think she did a great job.
Looking forward to tomorrow when she'll swim the 200 Free.
Her first event for the weekend was the 400 Freestyle, which I think went pretty well. She was seeded 11th of 24 competing, she swam just 8 seconds slower than her best time, and still a qualifying time (6:00.39). There was quite a long wait between warm-ups and the time she got to swim, so I'm sure she lost a fair amount of adrenaline along the way, but I think she did a great job.
Looking forward to tomorrow when she'll swim the 200 Free.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Barracuda Summer Sizzler June 26-27, 2010
After the half-mile Open Water swim on Friday night, we hoped Lexy wasn't too pooped to swim well on Saturday. She had five events in front of her: 50 Fly, 100 Free, 100 Breast, 50 Back and 200 Free. While the day started with a drizzle, it cleared up quickly and we had a quick home meet. Lexy didn't make any best times on Saturday, which I think can be attributed to the previous night's activity, and also the fact that she's been swimming pretty well this season.
Sunday was a different story. It was cloudy and dark when we got up, and it started to rain when we left the house. We managed to get three or four events in before the thunder and lightning required us to clear the pool and take cover under tents. I think it was a good hour before the storm had passed and we could start again!
Then, Lexy had a great day. She got three new best times, in the 100 Fly, the 50 Breast and the 100 Back. For her other two events, the 200 Free and 50 Free, she already had state qualifying times, but came in very close to those times.
Now, we're taking a bit of a break since our next meet isn't for two weeks. This will be a good time for Lexy to work on her technique and start getting ready for States at the end of the month. She's already qualified to swim six events at States: 50 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 50 Breast, 100 Breast and 200 IM. Lexy really seems to enjoy the distance events as opposed to the sprints. When she ages up in August, we'll see what other longer events we can start adding to her repertoire!
Sunday was a different story. It was cloudy and dark when we got up, and it started to rain when we left the house. We managed to get three or four events in before the thunder and lightning required us to clear the pool and take cover under tents. I think it was a good hour before the storm had passed and we could start again!
Then, Lexy had a great day. She got three new best times, in the 100 Fly, the 50 Breast and the 100 Back. For her other two events, the 200 Free and 50 Free, she already had state qualifying times, but came in very close to those times.
Now, we're taking a bit of a break since our next meet isn't for two weeks. This will be a good time for Lexy to work on her technique and start getting ready for States at the end of the month. She's already qualified to swim six events at States: 50 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 50 Breast, 100 Breast and 200 IM. Lexy really seems to enjoy the distance events as opposed to the sprints. When she ages up in August, we'll see what other longer events we can start adding to her repertoire!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
CUDA Open Water June 25, 2010
On Friday, June 25
, about 20 swimmers from our team and a few other competitors joined us at Sanford Lake in Sanford, Michigan for our first ever Open Water swim meet. Open Water is basically any swim competition that does not take place in a pool. There were several events in which swimmers could participate: 2 mile, 1.5 mile, 1 mile and .5 mile. Swimmers in Lexy's age group could only do the half mile. I think this was a great way to get her feet wet (if you'll pardon the pun) with open water events.
Before the event, Lexy put in some quality sandcastle time.
, about 20 swimmers from our team and a few other competitors joined us at Sanford Lake in Sanford, Michigan for our first ever Open Water swim meet. Open Water is basically any swim competition that does not take place in a pool. There were several events in which swimmers could participate: 2 mile, 1.5 mile, 1 mile and .5 mile. Swimmers in Lexy's age group could only do the half mile. I think this was a great way to get her feet wet (if you'll pardon the pun) with open water events.Before the event, Lexy put in some quality sandcastle time.
Swimmers in each event were easily distinguishable by the different color caps they wore. Green denoted half mile; red denoted the one mile swimmers. Both groups started at the same and then as they came in their times were recorded.
The kids (and some adults!) waded out for the start. On their way back , they had to swim through two specific buoys and run to the finish gate. If the kids swam through the seaweed patch, it made the running less pleasant.
The kids (and some adults!) waded out for the start. On their way back , they had to swim through two specific buoys and run to the finish gate. If the kids swam through the seaweed patch, it made the running less pleasant.Lexy finished first for the girls in her age group. We are still waiting to find out her time, but were thrilled with her finish. Great job Lexy!
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