The Midland Dolphin Invitational is always a great way to close out the calendar year of swimming. It is also always bitterly cold! This morning it was 11 degrees with a wind chill of "duh." What better way to spend a frigid morning than to invite a couple hundred kids to come swim in the Dow High Pool!
And yes, Lexy did swim six events today and she walked out, as did many of her friends, with six medals around her neck clanging away. While they are not exactly j-i-n-g-l-e bells, they are music to most kids' ears.
The two first place medals represented the two wins with her relay team, but much more meaningful were Lexy's green, fifth place medals. Both of these represent the two best times that Lex achieved today. In the 50 free, she dropped half a second to 33.53, but in the 50 Fly she had a huge, 2.5 second drop, to 40.10.
I never dreamed I'd be a "sports mom." I was never athletic as a kid. But I can say that being a part of Midland Dolphins is truly a gift to the Midland Community and to every kid and adult who has ever proudly worn the Midland Dolphins team suit or T-shirt. Being part of a group like this is one of the best gifts you can give your kids, and your family.
From all of us here in Midland, Michigan, to all of you, wherever you are, Merry Christmas and a Swimmy New Year! Thanks for reading.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Snow. . .Slow
A big part of the fun (for me) of going to away meets is visiting new communities in Michigan. This was our first trip to the EGRA meet, which is located in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. We don't normally swim on the western side of the state, so I was really looking forward to it. Lexy was looking forward to seeing snow! It's been such a warm autumn, that we haven't had any significant snowfall yet. We had heard that the west side of the state was getting lake effect snow off of Lake Michigan, but they only had three or four inches -- definitely not significant by a Michiganders standards.
East Grand Rapids is a suburb of Grand Rapids, one of Michigan's largest cities. Even in the pre-dawn early morning, we could see the beautiful homes and the delightful shopping area known as Gaslight Village. They had real, working gaslights, heated, ice-free sidewalks, and Christmas carols playing on outdoor speakers to add to the holiday ambiance. I want to go back when I can enjoy the little village.
If it feels like I'm taking a long time getting to a summary of the meet, there's a good reason for that -- which I tried to hint at in the title of this post. We expect a rough meet every once in a while, and boy, was this one rough! There were no best times this weekend. In fact, Lexy was a good measure slower than she has been. We're not sure what to attribute this to, but we're just going to chalk it up to being tired.
Instead of talking about her best events, this time I'm going to focus on her worst. Lexy's not a big fan of the 100 Fly, but she swims it without complaining. There are not too many kids who want to put themselves through the rigor of this event. Consider the following evidence. On Saturday morning, the first event was the 100 Freestyle. This is a very popular event, so popular in fact there were 119 girls age 10 & under who entered to swim it. In addition to that, there were 45 entries from 10 & under boys. Factoring in swimmers who didn't show up, and the fact that the pool was configured for 8 lanes, there were 21 heats of this event.
Compare this to the entries for the 100 Fly: 14 girls and 5 boys. There were three heats. Of these 19 kids, five have Q1 (state qualifying times) and Lexy is one of them.
The event, consisting of four lengths of butterfly, started well, but at the end of the first length, the fire alarms went off. I found out later that the T-shirt purveyor in the lobby was using a silk screen machine that was so hot it was giving off smoke, which set off the alarms. Imagine the concern of the parents of several hundred kids who wondered, for about a minute, how we were going to evacuate all those wet kids who didn't have ready access to shoes in freezing temps! The meet hosts confirmed quickly that it was a false alarm and the kids in the pool (Lexy included) just kept on swimming.
The results showed that Lexy finished her 100 Fly 15 seconds slower than her best time. I immediately attributed this to the fire alarm distraction, but Lexy later confirmed that she never heard the fire alarm -- she was just tired! So much for the distraction theory.
In the end, Lexy had a couple of decent events, but as I said, no best times. The camera angles at this meet were such that I didn't bother taking video -- it was always hard to tell where she was.
What I did learn is that Lexy has two Q1 times and four Q2's. The Q2s mean that she can swim those events at the Junior Olympics in March. This is really great, and it will be the first time that Lexy can participate in that meet.
We've got one more meet before the holidays, the Dolphin Invitational right here in Midland. Then we don't swim again until after the first of the year. Overall, Lex is having a great year and this one anomaly can be forgotten.
East Grand Rapids is a suburb of Grand Rapids, one of Michigan's largest cities. Even in the pre-dawn early morning, we could see the beautiful homes and the delightful shopping area known as Gaslight Village. They had real, working gaslights, heated, ice-free sidewalks, and Christmas carols playing on outdoor speakers to add to the holiday ambiance. I want to go back when I can enjoy the little village.
If it feels like I'm taking a long time getting to a summary of the meet, there's a good reason for that -- which I tried to hint at in the title of this post. We expect a rough meet every once in a while, and boy, was this one rough! There were no best times this weekend. In fact, Lexy was a good measure slower than she has been. We're not sure what to attribute this to, but we're just going to chalk it up to being tired.
Instead of talking about her best events, this time I'm going to focus on her worst. Lexy's not a big fan of the 100 Fly, but she swims it without complaining. There are not too many kids who want to put themselves through the rigor of this event. Consider the following evidence. On Saturday morning, the first event was the 100 Freestyle. This is a very popular event, so popular in fact there were 119 girls age 10 & under who entered to swim it. In addition to that, there were 45 entries from 10 & under boys. Factoring in swimmers who didn't show up, and the fact that the pool was configured for 8 lanes, there were 21 heats of this event.
Compare this to the entries for the 100 Fly: 14 girls and 5 boys. There were three heats. Of these 19 kids, five have Q1 (state qualifying times) and Lexy is one of them.
The event, consisting of four lengths of butterfly, started well, but at the end of the first length, the fire alarms went off. I found out later that the T-shirt purveyor in the lobby was using a silk screen machine that was so hot it was giving off smoke, which set off the alarms. Imagine the concern of the parents of several hundred kids who wondered, for about a minute, how we were going to evacuate all those wet kids who didn't have ready access to shoes in freezing temps! The meet hosts confirmed quickly that it was a false alarm and the kids in the pool (Lexy included) just kept on swimming.
The results showed that Lexy finished her 100 Fly 15 seconds slower than her best time. I immediately attributed this to the fire alarm distraction, but Lexy later confirmed that she never heard the fire alarm -- she was just tired! So much for the distraction theory.
In the end, Lexy had a couple of decent events, but as I said, no best times. The camera angles at this meet were such that I didn't bother taking video -- it was always hard to tell where she was.
What I did learn is that Lexy has two Q1 times and four Q2's. The Q2s mean that she can swim those events at the Junior Olympics in March. This is really great, and it will be the first time that Lexy can participate in that meet.
We've got one more meet before the holidays, the Dolphin Invitational right here in Midland. Then we don't swim again until after the first of the year. Overall, Lex is having a great year and this one anomaly can be forgotten.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
PCC Autumn Cruise, November 7-8, 2009
This weekend I was the marathon driving mom! I had already done a round trip to Detroit on Friday -- two hours each way. Then I added on the driving to and from the swim meet-- also two hours each way. Since Lexy's swim meet this weekend was in Saline (near Ypsilanti) and, since her sessions were in the afternoon, we chose to drive back and forth rather than stay in a hotel. All told, I think it added up to more than 600 miles.
It's hard enough to believe that it's November already. We've already had mornings with temps in the 20s. How were we to know we were headed into a beautiful, sunny weekend, with temps getting up into the mid 60s? Saturday dawned bright and sunny, but Sunday started out with a thick blanket of fog. I'd rather drive in snow and ice than fog! Luckily, it burned off by 10:30 and we were on our way.
We've been to Saline High School before, and it is one of the nicer venues out there. It was great to see so many CUDAs swimming this weekend. The ranks have grown in the past couple of years, adding both boys and girls.
(I forgot my video camera on Saturday. Then it occurred to me that my new phone had a video feature! But, it wasn't that great. . so I decided not to use the files.)
Lexy had four events on Saturday, and four more on Sunday. Her first event Saturday was the 100 I.M., which she finished three seconds faster than her best time, at 1:23.60. This also put her into the "A" category, which will help improve her seeding at the next meet. While she got off to a great start, the rest of the meet was good, but not great.
Her performance in the 100 Freestyle was about six seconds slower than her best time, and her 50 Fly time was about the same. However, in the 50 Breaststroke, she finished one second faster, at 44.28, and slid up to the "A" category as well. She received a first place finish in the "B" division, but at the next meet she will rank in the "A"s.
On Sunday, Lexy's four events were the 200 Free, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Fly and 50 Free. Her time in the 200 Free was slower than her best, but since she already had an "A" time, she finished third overall! In the 100 Breaststroke, she was also slower, but finished fifth overall. Two great finishes.
Lexy has never swum a 100 Fly in a meet before, so her finish with a "B" time at 1:43.33 was very respectable. She'll have to work on that one. Her 50 Free -- let's just say she was getting tired!
We had a long weekend, and sometimes it's hard to say whether it's better to drive two hours each way to sleep in your own bed instead of staying put and hanging out in a dry hotel room. To me, it's a wash.
It's hard enough to believe that it's November already. We've already had mornings with temps in the 20s. How were we to know we were headed into a beautiful, sunny weekend, with temps getting up into the mid 60s? Saturday dawned bright and sunny, but Sunday started out with a thick blanket of fog. I'd rather drive in snow and ice than fog! Luckily, it burned off by 10:30 and we were on our way.
We've been to Saline High School before, and it is one of the nicer venues out there. It was great to see so many CUDAs swimming this weekend. The ranks have grown in the past couple of years, adding both boys and girls.
(I forgot my video camera on Saturday. Then it occurred to me that my new phone had a video feature! But, it wasn't that great. . so I decided not to use the files.)
Lexy had four events on Saturday, and four more on Sunday. Her first event Saturday was the 100 I.M., which she finished three seconds faster than her best time, at 1:23.60. This also put her into the "A" category, which will help improve her seeding at the next meet. While she got off to a great start, the rest of the meet was good, but not great.
Her performance in the 100 Freestyle was about six seconds slower than her best time, and her 50 Fly time was about the same. However, in the 50 Breaststroke, she finished one second faster, at 44.28, and slid up to the "A" category as well. She received a first place finish in the "B" division, but at the next meet she will rank in the "A"s.
On Sunday, Lexy's four events were the 200 Free, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Fly and 50 Free. Her time in the 200 Free was slower than her best, but since she already had an "A" time, she finished third overall! In the 100 Breaststroke, she was also slower, but finished fifth overall. Two great finishes.
Lexy has never swum a 100 Fly in a meet before, so her finish with a "B" time at 1:43.33 was very respectable. She'll have to work on that one. Her 50 Free -- let's just say she was getting tired!
We had a long weekend, and sometimes it's hard to say whether it's better to drive two hours each way to sleep in your own bed instead of staying put and hanging out in a dry hotel room. To me, it's a wash.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
OLY Fall Classic - October 17, 2009
This weekend's swim meet in summary -- four events, four best times!
What was different about this meet? Just about everything. First, it was in the evening. The kids started warming up at 4:30 pm. We are used to swimming in the morning, and early mornings at that. Sometimes we're in the pool as early as 7 am!
With such a late start, we were, of course, worried about what time it would end. But we shouldn't have worried -- this meet was very well run, and we were done by 8 pm. With such a wonderful facility at Oakland University, the club had 12 lanes to work with, and they ran a very efficient meet.
This was also a special meet because it was the first meet that Sydney's boyfriend Julius was able to join us at an away meet. It was his 18th birthday, and Sydney had plans to take him to dinner in Midland. She was a little upset when she found out our swim meet was in Auburn Hills, nearly 90 minutes away. But when I told her, "There are restaurants in Auburn Hills!" she got excited and looked forward to taking Julius to Rainforest Cafe to celebrate. They had a fun time.
While they were off having dinner, Lexy had one of the best meets of her young swimming career. She swam four events -- the 100 Free, the 100 Breast, the 100 I.M. and the 200 Freestyle. When I think about where she was last year at this time, and how difficult swimming in the 9-10 age group was for her, it didn't seem like we would ever see a day like today.
Lexy's first event was the 100 Freestyle, and she was going into it with a 1:18.10. She finished 8 seconds faster, with a 1:10.71! Watch Lexy swim the 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql5iLgCHtk0
I should mention now, that I had a very difficult time uploading all Lexy's videos to YouTube, so I will try again tomorrow. . .
In the 100 Breast, she was seeded in the final heat, because she had such a great summer swimming breaststroke. She was able to better her time by about three seconds, finished at 1:32.29. She needed a 1:32.49 to qualify for the state meet, so she achieved that tonight!
In the 100 I.M., we weren't sure how she would do, since she was starting to report fatigue. Also, since the 100 I.M. includes all four strokes, Lexy's backstroke isn't strong, and she finished about three seconds slower last weekend, we weren't looking for any major victories. We got a nice surprise, with Lexy finishing about one second faster than her best time!
Last but certainly not least, the final event for the night, the 200 Freestyle. At 8 lengths, this is still pretty demanding for the 9-10 age group. Last year, Lexy had clocked this event under 3 minutes, which made us very proud. The qualifying time for the event at this level is 2:31, and Lexy finished in 2:35, nearly 22 seconds faster than her best time! We were just thrilled and amazed to see her do so well, so late in the day, and at the end of a meet.
This finish positions her well for the rest of the season, which will likely see her seeded in the faster heats, giving her better competitors and a better chance to further improve her times.
Great job this weekend Lexy!
What was different about this meet? Just about everything. First, it was in the evening. The kids started warming up at 4:30 pm. We are used to swimming in the morning, and early mornings at that. Sometimes we're in the pool as early as 7 am!
With such a late start, we were, of course, worried about what time it would end. But we shouldn't have worried -- this meet was very well run, and we were done by 8 pm. With such a wonderful facility at Oakland University, the club had 12 lanes to work with, and they ran a very efficient meet.
This was also a special meet because it was the first meet that Sydney's boyfriend Julius was able to join us at an away meet. It was his 18th birthday, and Sydney had plans to take him to dinner in Midland. She was a little upset when she found out our swim meet was in Auburn Hills, nearly 90 minutes away. But when I told her, "There are restaurants in Auburn Hills!" she got excited and looked forward to taking Julius to Rainforest Cafe to celebrate. They had a fun time.
While they were off having dinner, Lexy had one of the best meets of her young swimming career. She swam four events -- the 100 Free, the 100 Breast, the 100 I.M. and the 200 Freestyle. When I think about where she was last year at this time, and how difficult swimming in the 9-10 age group was for her, it didn't seem like we would ever see a day like today.
Lexy's first event was the 100 Freestyle, and she was going into it with a 1:18.10. She finished 8 seconds faster, with a 1:10.71! Watch Lexy swim the 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql5iLgCHtk0
I should mention now, that I had a very difficult time uploading all Lexy's videos to YouTube, so I will try again tomorrow. . .
In the 100 Breast, she was seeded in the final heat, because she had such a great summer swimming breaststroke. She was able to better her time by about three seconds, finished at 1:32.29. She needed a 1:32.49 to qualify for the state meet, so she achieved that tonight!
In the 100 I.M., we weren't sure how she would do, since she was starting to report fatigue. Also, since the 100 I.M. includes all four strokes, Lexy's backstroke isn't strong, and she finished about three seconds slower last weekend, we weren't looking for any major victories. We got a nice surprise, with Lexy finishing about one second faster than her best time!
Last but certainly not least, the final event for the night, the 200 Freestyle. At 8 lengths, this is still pretty demanding for the 9-10 age group. Last year, Lexy had clocked this event under 3 minutes, which made us very proud. The qualifying time for the event at this level is 2:31, and Lexy finished in 2:35, nearly 22 seconds faster than her best time! We were just thrilled and amazed to see her do so well, so late in the day, and at the end of a meet.
This finish positions her well for the rest of the season, which will likely see her seeded in the faster heats, giving her better competitors and a better chance to further improve her times.
Great job this weekend Lexy!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
BAYS Pentathlon, Oct. 10, 2009
The big question today -- to cheer or not to cheer. I LOVE to cheer. I LOVE to urge my swimmer on and give her support from the bleacher seats.
Three problems with cheering:
1. Lexy says she can't hear me with her head under water. Can this be true?
2. If I cheer when I'm videotaping, my video viewers can hear me. . .
3. When Lexy watches my videos, she says "Mom! Stop!"
I guess this is a "development opportunity" for me. But when my swimmer is swimming, my spidey senses start tingling and I've got to cheer! GO LEX GO!
Today's meet was organized as a pentathlon, which is a great idea for a swim meet. In essence, every swimmer who signs up will swim each of the four main strokes at the prescribed length for his or her age group, and an I.M. While not everyone will want to swim every stroke, this makes for an efficient meet.
Our session concluded in about 90 minutes. It doesn't give the kids a lot of time between events which, in some cases, can be a good thing, so they don't get bored and start asking for snacks! It also can result in the kids not getting enough time to recover between events.
Lexy's pentathlon consisted of the 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast and 50 Free, and the 100 I.M. She had a great morning, dropping time in the first three events. She added a couple of seconds in the 50 Free and 100 I.M., but she was still within the qualifying times, so I'm confident she'll pare those back down to where she was last spring or perhaps better them further.
In the 50 Fly, Lexy dropped from 44.69 to 43.58 and made the qualifying time for the Michigan Team Swim League (44.00). Her kick vs. arms timing is really showing improvement. Watch the 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB99oZDCZqw
Lexy has been struggling with her backstroke, but we were encouraged today when she dropped about two seconds, from 45.12 to 43.10, just about one second shy of the MTSL cut (42.00). Lexy is in Lane 1; her teammate Jenny Yu is in Lane 2. Jenny is a rocket at backstroke! Watch the 50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf2mHXzInLk
Breaststroke has been Lexy's best stroke lately, and we were confident she would do well in this event. She didn't disappoint, dropping more than two seconds from her best time, from a 47.87 to a 45.56, and surpassing the MTSL cut (47.00). We were impressed with her start. Watch the 50 Breast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgOdr2OmeLw
In the 50 Free, she went 36.33, about two seconds slower, but these events were moving pretty quickly. She'll get back there. The MTSL cut is 36.00, so she already has that event. Lexy is in Lane 5, Jenny Yu is in Lane 6. Watch the 50 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3XOXhcHkuI
The cut for the 100 I.M. is 1:31.00, and she got this cut last year, going a 1:27.60. Today she went 1:30.14, but again, I think this is a matter of having the meet go so quickly and being tired. Lexy is in Lane 5 and Jenny Yu is in Lane 6. You can see where Lexy falls behind in the backstroke but catches up in the breast. Watch the 100 I.M.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZvdcQjtWLc
Next week: OLY (Oakland Live "Y"ers) at Oakland University, one of our favorite "away" pools. This will be our first USS meet for the Fall and it will NOT be over in 90 minutes!
Three problems with cheering:
1. Lexy says she can't hear me with her head under water. Can this be true?
2. If I cheer when I'm videotaping, my video viewers can hear me. . .
3. When Lexy watches my videos, she says "Mom! Stop!"
I guess this is a "development opportunity" for me. But when my swimmer is swimming, my spidey senses start tingling and I've got to cheer! GO LEX GO!
Today's meet was organized as a pentathlon, which is a great idea for a swim meet. In essence, every swimmer who signs up will swim each of the four main strokes at the prescribed length for his or her age group, and an I.M. While not everyone will want to swim every stroke, this makes for an efficient meet.
Our session concluded in about 90 minutes. It doesn't give the kids a lot of time between events which, in some cases, can be a good thing, so they don't get bored and start asking for snacks! It also can result in the kids not getting enough time to recover between events.
Lexy's pentathlon consisted of the 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast and 50 Free, and the 100 I.M. She had a great morning, dropping time in the first three events. She added a couple of seconds in the 50 Free and 100 I.M., but she was still within the qualifying times, so I'm confident she'll pare those back down to where she was last spring or perhaps better them further.
In the 50 Fly, Lexy dropped from 44.69 to 43.58 and made the qualifying time for the Michigan Team Swim League (44.00). Her kick vs. arms timing is really showing improvement. Watch the 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB99oZDCZqw
Lexy has been struggling with her backstroke, but we were encouraged today when she dropped about two seconds, from 45.12 to 43.10, just about one second shy of the MTSL cut (42.00). Lexy is in Lane 1; her teammate Jenny Yu is in Lane 2. Jenny is a rocket at backstroke! Watch the 50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf2mHXzInLk
Breaststroke has been Lexy's best stroke lately, and we were confident she would do well in this event. She didn't disappoint, dropping more than two seconds from her best time, from a 47.87 to a 45.56, and surpassing the MTSL cut (47.00). We were impressed with her start. Watch the 50 Breast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgOdr2OmeLw
In the 50 Free, she went 36.33, about two seconds slower, but these events were moving pretty quickly. She'll get back there. The MTSL cut is 36.00, so she already has that event. Lexy is in Lane 5, Jenny Yu is in Lane 6. Watch the 50 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3XOXhcHkuI
The cut for the 100 I.M. is 1:31.00, and she got this cut last year, going a 1:27.60. Today she went 1:30.14, but again, I think this is a matter of having the meet go so quickly and being tired. Lexy is in Lane 5 and Jenny Yu is in Lane 6. You can see where Lexy falls behind in the backstroke but catches up in the breast. Watch the 100 I.M.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZvdcQjtWLc
Next week: OLY (Oakland Live "Y"ers) at Oakland University, one of our favorite "away" pools. This will be our first USS meet for the Fall and it will NOT be over in 90 minutes!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Swimming with the Olympians!
Today we had the pleasure to meet and spend the afternoon with three American heroes. Unlike other "professional" athletes, whom kids decide to idolize without ever meeting them, today's interaction with three of the U.S.'s most outstanding swimmers will be a day we won't soon forget.
Here are three people in their mid-20's -- Peter Vanderkaay, 25, a two-time Olympian with two gold medals; his brother Alex Vanderkaay, 23, a two-time NCAA champion; and Megan Jendrick, 25, who won two gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Peter just happened to have his name up on the wall at the Oakland University pool, holding three pool records there: the 100, 200 and 500 free. Peter and Alex are natives of Rochester, Michigan, and U of Michigan alums. How sad that their alma mater lost today (to STATE! hee hee). Ahem.
These are three well-spoken, genuinely nice people, who understand the importance of getting kids excited and keeping them motivated about their chosen sport of swimming. As they tell it, they weren't superstars the moment someone threw them in the pool. They each had their challenges and had to work hard to achieve their moments on the medal stands.
Here also, were 96 well behaved members of USA swimming or other Michigan swim leagues, who listened, did as the champions told, and just had fun with the afternoon. There was no heckling from the bleachers, nothing being thrown, no parents fighting. Nothing happened that would make headlines, or, refreshingly, the Auburn Hills police blotter. Well-behaved kids, supportive parents, smart, well-spoken champions, sharing their sport during a rainy October afternoon.
When we first signed up, I thought this would be a good way to get Lexy charged up for the Fall swim season. After it was over, I realized how much differently these athletes present themselves than those we're used to seeing. I think the pendulum needs to swing in the other direction. Outstanding role models for kids are out there -- we just have to look hard to find them.
During the introductions, all three swimmers took questions about their background, training regimens, and shared funny and personal stories. Then the swimmers suited up and joined the kids in the pool. They each spent time on their best stroke (Peter, freestyle; Megan, breaststroke; Alex, butterfly) and then they all did a backstroke session. After each instructional session, the kids got to race the champions in a one-length heat. How fun it was to watch 6'4" Peter Vanderkaay give the kids nearly a 3/4 length headstart and still beat them!
Lexy races Peter Vanderkaay -- freestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr1TrTb24fA
I missed the start of this race, but caught it in the middle. Lexy is on the left, in the back.
Lexy races Megan Jendrick -- breaststroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PcBUPKyyFY
It was so fun to find out that another CUDA family, the Bollands, were there too. In this race against Alex Vanderkaay, Lexy is on the left and Thomas Bolland is on the right. It's a CUDA double-team!
Lexy races Alex Vanderkaay -- butterfly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBzOO1MMvcc
Lexy races Alex Vanderkaay -- backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMTy0oAd5oU
Afterward, the champions were so gracious about autographing everything in sight! Don't they all have beautiful smiles?
Megan Jendrick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qaGLIA0oZ4
Alex and Peter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4xhC9OTqdA
I would highly recommend this athlete interaction with anyone who is on the fence about it. It was definitely worth the registration fee and the trip.
Here are three people in their mid-20's -- Peter Vanderkaay, 25, a two-time Olympian with two gold medals; his brother Alex Vanderkaay, 23, a two-time NCAA champion; and Megan Jendrick, 25, who won two gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Peter just happened to have his name up on the wall at the Oakland University pool, holding three pool records there: the 100, 200 and 500 free. Peter and Alex are natives of Rochester, Michigan, and U of Michigan alums. How sad that their alma mater lost today (to STATE! hee hee). Ahem.
These are three well-spoken, genuinely nice people, who understand the importance of getting kids excited and keeping them motivated about their chosen sport of swimming. As they tell it, they weren't superstars the moment someone threw them in the pool. They each had their challenges and had to work hard to achieve their moments on the medal stands.
Here also, were 96 well behaved members of USA swimming or other Michigan swim leagues, who listened, did as the champions told, and just had fun with the afternoon. There was no heckling from the bleachers, nothing being thrown, no parents fighting. Nothing happened that would make headlines, or, refreshingly, the Auburn Hills police blotter. Well-behaved kids, supportive parents, smart, well-spoken champions, sharing their sport during a rainy October afternoon.
When we first signed up, I thought this would be a good way to get Lexy charged up for the Fall swim season. After it was over, I realized how much differently these athletes present themselves than those we're used to seeing. I think the pendulum needs to swing in the other direction. Outstanding role models for kids are out there -- we just have to look hard to find them.
During the introductions, all three swimmers took questions about their background, training regimens, and shared funny and personal stories. Then the swimmers suited up and joined the kids in the pool. They each spent time on their best stroke (Peter, freestyle; Megan, breaststroke; Alex, butterfly) and then they all did a backstroke session. After each instructional session, the kids got to race the champions in a one-length heat. How fun it was to watch 6'4" Peter Vanderkaay give the kids nearly a 3/4 length headstart and still beat them!
Lexy races Peter Vanderkaay -- freestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr1TrTb24fA
I missed the start of this race, but caught it in the middle. Lexy is on the left, in the back.
Lexy races Megan Jendrick -- breaststroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PcBUPKyyFY
It was so fun to find out that another CUDA family, the Bollands, were there too. In this race against Alex Vanderkaay, Lexy is on the left and Thomas Bolland is on the right. It's a CUDA double-team!
Lexy races Alex Vanderkaay -- butterfly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBzOO1MMvcc
Lexy races Alex Vanderkaay -- backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMTy0oAd5oU
Afterward, the champions were so gracious about autographing everything in sight! Don't they all have beautiful smiles?
Megan Jendrick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qaGLIA0oZ4
Alex and Peter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4xhC9OTqdA
I would highly recommend this athlete interaction with anyone who is on the fence about it. It was definitely worth the registration fee and the trip.
Monday, August 3, 2009
States -- Day 3 August 2, 2009
Sunday, Day 3 for Lexy, and her last day to improve her performance at her first appearance at a State meet. Lexy was scheduled to swim two events: the 50 breaststroke and the 400 freestyle relay.
In the 50 Breast, Lexy dropped almost an entire second, to finish 29th in the state.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpjCZlACXBU
The girls got ready for their 400 freestyle relay and were really pumped up. They had perfect exchanges and swam a great event, breaking the existing CUDA record and coming in fifth, but eventually finishing fourth in the state, after another team DQ'd. Coach Hall timed each of the girls and Lexy swam a 1:22.00 for her 100 Free, about 2.5 seconds faster than her fastest time this season. This would mean she was only a fraction of a second short of the qualifying time. She'll get it for next year's state finals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5YsAi__wBc
We were so excited about their win and their moment on the medal stand!
Later, after the events were over, I was on the team that was in charge of sorting and handing out the medals. We had to award medals to kids and relay teams who placed 1st through 8th, for the 22 events that had just taken place. So you do the math -- 8 times 18 (for the individual events) and 4 times 4 for the relays. OK, I'm no math genius, but I think that's about 176 kids in a space the size of my kitchen, jostling and milling about trying to line up for their respective medal awards ceremonies. I missed Lexy getting her medal, but Coach Hall assured me she got photos of the team and of Lexy. I got a shot of Lexy in her medal afterward.
Overall, it was great to be qualified to swim at the State meet this year, and it was a great experience with both high and low points. We enjoyed our weekend away. Now it's time for a short break and time to get ready to go back to school.
In the 50 Breast, Lexy dropped almost an entire second, to finish 29th in the state.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpjCZlACXBU
The girls got ready for their 400 freestyle relay and were really pumped up. They had perfect exchanges and swam a great event, breaking the existing CUDA record and coming in fifth, but eventually finishing fourth in the state, after another team DQ'd. Coach Hall timed each of the girls and Lexy swam a 1:22.00 for her 100 Free, about 2.5 seconds faster than her fastest time this season. This would mean she was only a fraction of a second short of the qualifying time. She'll get it for next year's state finals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5YsAi__wBc
We were so excited about their win and their moment on the medal stand!
Later, after the events were over, I was on the team that was in charge of sorting and handing out the medals. We had to award medals to kids and relay teams who placed 1st through 8th, for the 22 events that had just taken place. So you do the math -- 8 times 18 (for the individual events) and 4 times 4 for the relays. OK, I'm no math genius, but I think that's about 176 kids in a space the size of my kitchen, jostling and milling about trying to line up for their respective medal awards ceremonies. I missed Lexy getting her medal, but Coach Hall assured me she got photos of the team and of Lexy. I got a shot of Lexy in her medal afterward.
Overall, it was great to be qualified to swim at the State meet this year, and it was a great experience with both high and low points. We enjoyed our weekend away. Now it's time for a short break and time to get ready to go back to school.
States -- Day 2 August 1, 2009
Today was what we affectionately call a "learning experience." It's too bad we have to have a learning experience at States, but it won't be easily forgotten.
But before we get to the bad news, see if you can guess what my favorite time is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmxHnrGVD6o This is a triple whammy video, because not only do you get to see my favorite time, but you also get to see what a warm up looks like at States -- steer clear of all those flailing elbows! And, hanging from the diving platforms, you'll see a CUDA banner prominently displayed, as CUDA and Plymouth-Canton Cruisers are the co-hosts of the 2009 State Meet. Go CUDA!
Lexy's first event today was the 400 Meter Medley relay, with each team member swimming a different stroke for 100 Meters. Lexy's leg was the breaststroke. Since I was on deck timing, I couldn't see how they finished, but I looked over to their lane and saw Coach Hall explaining something. Next thing I knew, Lexy was walking past me without saying anything. The red tint under her eyebrows gave it away--they had been disqualified. With only eight teams competing, they were guaranteed a medal as long as they swam a legal event. Later, we learned the reasons for the DQ -- Lexy false started and, when she did, she dove too deep. To get back up to the surface, she took an extra -- and illegal -- stroke under water. What a heartbreaker.
When you watch this video, Jenny Yu is the first swimmer - backstroke. Lexy is second -- you can see here adjusting her goggles, and then after she dives in you can see the first and second stroke clearly, and then the Marshall's arm FLIES up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaIK303mHxE
We hoped that the effect of the DQ would wear off by the time she swam her individual 100 breaststroke event, but no such luck. Lexy swam about 2 seconds slower than her qualifying time, and finished last. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWgGEoF0zoA
We had dinner reservations at a great restaurant in Ann Arbor -- the Gandy Dancer. The restaurant is in a restored historic train depot (on Depot Street, how original). A Gandy Dancer is a type of train car. We had a wonderful table overlooking the rails, and an Amtrak passenger train went by when we were enjoying our dinner. And dinner itself was a wonderful experience: from the Sicilian Calamari to the Martha's Vineyard salads to the seafood entrees and dessert, we didn't have one complaint. The service was great, too. This is one restaurant we know we will visit again. And, it took Lexy's mind off her less-than-stellar day in the pool.
When we got back to our hotel, some of the other CUDA parents invited us out to the patio to enjoy some conversation and a few beers. The mosquitos were biting so I turned in early, but Ed got to get to know some of the other parents, and it was overall a good end to a disappointing day.
But before we get to the bad news, see if you can guess what my favorite time is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmxHnrGVD6o This is a triple whammy video, because not only do you get to see my favorite time, but you also get to see what a warm up looks like at States -- steer clear of all those flailing elbows! And, hanging from the diving platforms, you'll see a CUDA banner prominently displayed, as CUDA and Plymouth-Canton Cruisers are the co-hosts of the 2009 State Meet. Go CUDA!
Lexy's first event today was the 400 Meter Medley relay, with each team member swimming a different stroke for 100 Meters. Lexy's leg was the breaststroke. Since I was on deck timing, I couldn't see how they finished, but I looked over to their lane and saw Coach Hall explaining something. Next thing I knew, Lexy was walking past me without saying anything. The red tint under her eyebrows gave it away--they had been disqualified. With only eight teams competing, they were guaranteed a medal as long as they swam a legal event. Later, we learned the reasons for the DQ -- Lexy false started and, when she did, she dove too deep. To get back up to the surface, she took an extra -- and illegal -- stroke under water. What a heartbreaker.
When you watch this video, Jenny Yu is the first swimmer - backstroke. Lexy is second -- you can see here adjusting her goggles, and then after she dives in you can see the first and second stroke clearly, and then the Marshall's arm FLIES up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaIK303mHxE
We hoped that the effect of the DQ would wear off by the time she swam her individual 100 breaststroke event, but no such luck. Lexy swam about 2 seconds slower than her qualifying time, and finished last. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWgGEoF0zoA
We had dinner reservations at a great restaurant in Ann Arbor -- the Gandy Dancer. The restaurant is in a restored historic train depot (on Depot Street, how original). A Gandy Dancer is a type of train car. We had a wonderful table overlooking the rails, and an Amtrak passenger train went by when we were enjoying our dinner. And dinner itself was a wonderful experience: from the Sicilian Calamari to the Martha's Vineyard salads to the seafood entrees and dessert, we didn't have one complaint. The service was great, too. This is one restaurant we know we will visit again. And, it took Lexy's mind off her less-than-stellar day in the pool.
When we got back to our hotel, some of the other CUDA parents invited us out to the patio to enjoy some conversation and a few beers. The mosquitos were biting so I turned in early, but Ed got to get to know some of the other parents, and it was overall a good end to a disappointing day.
Friday, July 31, 2009
STATES! Day1 -- July 31, 2009
Here we are, back in Ypsilanti at Eastern Michigan University for the State Finals. It is very exciting to be here, to watch the best swimmers in Michigan compete for the right to say they are the very best. I'm proud to be part of the host team, and proud to say that we have 60 kids here competing, and that Lexy is among them. It's quite an accomplishment.
Lexy swam one event today, the 200 Freestyle at the 10 & under level. Being 9 for one more week, this means that she will be able to compete in the event at next year's state finals too! Today, Lexy swam against 26 other 9 & 10 year olds, and she finished 24th overall, just 7/10 of a second off her best, qualifying time at 2:57.93.
Since I was on deck helping today, I wasn't able to get a video of this event, but Ed should be here tomorrow and ready to catch Lexy in full High Def for posterity. Tomorrow's events include the 400 Medley Relay, with Lexy swimming the breaststroke leg as part of her team for 100 Meters, as well as the individual 100 Meter breaststroke. For this event, she is ranked 20th of 21. We will be cheering as loud as we can! Love you Lexy!
Here's what the kids do when they're NOT swimming. Remember when we had to put a quarter in the machine? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InvTBzc2Xvs
Lexy swam one event today, the 200 Freestyle at the 10 & under level. Being 9 for one more week, this means that she will be able to compete in the event at next year's state finals too! Today, Lexy swam against 26 other 9 & 10 year olds, and she finished 24th overall, just 7/10 of a second off her best, qualifying time at 2:57.93.
Since I was on deck helping today, I wasn't able to get a video of this event, but Ed should be here tomorrow and ready to catch Lexy in full High Def for posterity. Tomorrow's events include the 400 Medley Relay, with Lexy swimming the breaststroke leg as part of her team for 100 Meters, as well as the individual 100 Meter breaststroke. For this event, she is ranked 20th of 21. We will be cheering as loud as we can! Love you Lexy!
Here's what the kids do when they're NOT swimming. Remember when we had to put a quarter in the machine? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InvTBzc2Xvs
Saturday, July 25, 2009
And Now For Something, Well, 2/3 Different
I wanted to quote Monty Python in my title, but today's event wasn't "completely" different. Lex still suited up and got in the pool for a race, but when she got out, she had to run to her bike, ride that for a couple of miles, then get off and run a half mile. She was NOT happy about that last part. More on that later.
It was great to see lots of people bring their kids to Midland's first kids-only triathlon, benefiting the fibrous displaysia foundation. I'm still not sure I know what that is, exactly, but we were glad to help out. It was also nice to see lots of Midland Dolphin and CUDA families there: the Kiekhafers, the Woodburys, the Carpenters . . .and lots of kids I didn't recognize with Dolphins shirts on. Dolphins were well represented.
Kali Dent, one of the Dolphin swimmers in the 13-14 age group, really did well. Not only did she take first in her age group, she won an extra special prize: lunch with two of the Great Lakes Loons players! I hope they get to go someplace nice.
This was Lexy's first experience with a triathlon, and I am impressed by how well she did. The first event was a 25 yard swim (one length) and they organized the kids in heats of six, from youngest to oldest. The girl from the previous heat had not even gotten out of the pool yet when Lexy finished. Lex then jogged out of the pool area, over to the transition area to don her shoes, helmet and number for the bike ride. I watched her jog her bike out of the transition area and make her way into the throng of kids already in motion.
When she arrived back it was time to rack the bike, ditch the helmet and start running. Well, jogging. Ok, walking. She did her best. Too bad the triathlon didn't have more swimming, but you can't have it all! She managed to finish 6th in her age group and 51st overall, out of 264 entries. My hat's off to her.
Results available here: http://www.trikidstry.com/
Afterward, she enjoyed some of the activities they had set up on the football field, and by the time everyone had finished, the sky was starting to turn black and we could hear the thunder in the distance. They wasted no timing giving out the prizes, including the Grand Prize bicycle, gave all the kids their applause, and we headed for the cars. About a half hour later the skies opened up. How nice for it to hold off until they were done!
It was great to see lots of people bring their kids to Midland's first kids-only triathlon, benefiting the fibrous displaysia foundation. I'm still not sure I know what that is, exactly, but we were glad to help out. It was also nice to see lots of Midland Dolphin and CUDA families there: the Kiekhafers, the Woodburys, the Carpenters . . .and lots of kids I didn't recognize with Dolphins shirts on. Dolphins were well represented.
Kali Dent, one of the Dolphin swimmers in the 13-14 age group, really did well. Not only did she take first in her age group, she won an extra special prize: lunch with two of the Great Lakes Loons players! I hope they get to go someplace nice.
This was Lexy's first experience with a triathlon, and I am impressed by how well she did. The first event was a 25 yard swim (one length) and they organized the kids in heats of six, from youngest to oldest. The girl from the previous heat had not even gotten out of the pool yet when Lexy finished. Lex then jogged out of the pool area, over to the transition area to don her shoes, helmet and number for the bike ride. I watched her jog her bike out of the transition area and make her way into the throng of kids already in motion.
When she arrived back it was time to rack the bike, ditch the helmet and start running. Well, jogging. Ok, walking. She did her best. Too bad the triathlon didn't have more swimming, but you can't have it all! She managed to finish 6th in her age group and 51st overall, out of 264 entries. My hat's off to her.
Results available here: http://www.trikidstry.com/
Afterward, she enjoyed some of the activities they had set up on the football field, and by the time everyone had finished, the sky was starting to turn black and we could hear the thunder in the distance. They wasted no timing giving out the prizes, including the Grand Prize bicycle, gave all the kids their applause, and we headed for the cars. About a half hour later the skies opened up. How nice for it to hold off until they were done!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Dad's Birthday and Another Q1 July 18, 2009
Dad, it's 10 minutes to 9 pm, and I JUST NOW REALIZED that it's your birthday and I didn't call. I'm so sorry. I've been in swim meet mode, which I realize is no excuse, but I hope you will forgive me! My dad is 78 this year.
But what a wonderful birthday present -- to watch Lexy swim the 200 Free and get another Q1 time. Wouldn't that be wonderful? It would -- if I hadn't left my video cam in the car. . .But let me explain. If I HAD the video camera, by Murphy's law, she wouldn't have gotten the time. And, even if she still DID get the time? There's no way you would have been able to see the finish because I was positively shaking.
We are at EMU again for the Club Wolverine invitational, which is actually a great pool when it's not blazingly hot outside. Lexy's first event today, as I mentioned, was the 200 Freestyle, and her best time was a 3:01.42. She needed a 3:00.19 to qualify for the state meet which is located back here in two weeks. She is already qualified for two events, but needed only to better her time by a second and a half to get the 200 Free time. And today, in a very tense swim (for me, not her) she pulled out a better-than-expected 2:57.27!!
I could hardly believe it, and when I ran down the bleachers to congratulate her, apparently some of our team families were quite worried that I was going to do a face plant. It's a pretty steep set of bleachers. I was pretty worried about that too! But I arrived at the bottom and gave her a great big smile for her accomplishment before she got out of the pool. I tried hard to hold back the tears but a few of them sneaked out.
Afterward, I got back to my seat and just sat and fanned myself with the program. Too much excitement.
A lot of the kids from CUDA got state cuts today, so we are looking forward to tomorrow and hoping that Lexy will get one more in the 50 Freestyle. Even if she doesn't, we are mighty proud.
But what a wonderful birthday present -- to watch Lexy swim the 200 Free and get another Q1 time. Wouldn't that be wonderful? It would -- if I hadn't left my video cam in the car. . .But let me explain. If I HAD the video camera, by Murphy's law, she wouldn't have gotten the time. And, even if she still DID get the time? There's no way you would have been able to see the finish because I was positively shaking.
We are at EMU again for the Club Wolverine invitational, which is actually a great pool when it's not blazingly hot outside. Lexy's first event today, as I mentioned, was the 200 Freestyle, and her best time was a 3:01.42. She needed a 3:00.19 to qualify for the state meet which is located back here in two weeks. She is already qualified for two events, but needed only to better her time by a second and a half to get the 200 Free time. And today, in a very tense swim (for me, not her) she pulled out a better-than-expected 2:57.27!!
I could hardly believe it, and when I ran down the bleachers to congratulate her, apparently some of our team families were quite worried that I was going to do a face plant. It's a pretty steep set of bleachers. I was pretty worried about that too! But I arrived at the bottom and gave her a great big smile for her accomplishment before she got out of the pool. I tried hard to hold back the tears but a few of them sneaked out.
Afterward, I got back to my seat and just sat and fanned myself with the program. Too much excitement.
A lot of the kids from CUDA got state cuts today, so we are looking forward to tomorrow and hoping that Lexy will get one more in the 50 Freestyle. Even if she doesn't, we are mighty proud.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Matin a la Piscine - BAYS Beat the Heat Sunday
Sunday dawned drier and chillier - to the tune of about 55 degrees. While it got up to about 65 or so in the sun by mid-morning, the kids were freezing in their wet suits in the shade.
Lexy had hopes of a better day on her mind, and she did manage to make good on her Sunday, with two personal bests. In the 50 Back she shaved off about half a second and won the heat, while in the 100 Free, with a little last minute coaching from Coach Boychuk, she dropped about two seconds and managed to win that heat as well.
Watch Lexy's Sunday events:
100 Breaststroke:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G80YUX_74k0 This one is crazy because they look so even at the beginning, and then the girl in lane three just turns on the afterburners.
50 Backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYU8Oawg38Q Lexy has been trying to break that 50 second barrier for months now. She finally does it! 50 meters in 49.72. Not the easiest thing to do when you can't see where you're going and the sun is in your eyes.
100 Free:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ-mHWUZo6k This video is awful. Just when I realize Lexy is pulling ahead and is about to win the heat, I practically drop the camera. My apologies.
100 Fly:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATDQ7lfQCgU
Lexy does great the first half of the first length, then it just falls apart.
Well, we have one week until our last official meet of the season, and then two more weeks of practice before states. Can't believe it's already the middle of July!!
Lexy had hopes of a better day on her mind, and she did manage to make good on her Sunday, with two personal bests. In the 50 Back she shaved off about half a second and won the heat, while in the 100 Free, with a little last minute coaching from Coach Boychuk, she dropped about two seconds and managed to win that heat as well.
Watch Lexy's Sunday events:
100 Breaststroke:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G80YUX_74k0 This one is crazy because they look so even at the beginning, and then the girl in lane three just turns on the afterburners.
50 Backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYU8Oawg38Q Lexy has been trying to break that 50 second barrier for months now. She finally does it! 50 meters in 49.72. Not the easiest thing to do when you can't see where you're going and the sun is in your eyes.
100 Free:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ-mHWUZo6k This video is awful. Just when I realize Lexy is pulling ahead and is about to win the heat, I practically drop the camera. My apologies.
100 Fly:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATDQ7lfQCgU
Lexy does great the first half of the first length, then it just falls apart.
Well, we have one week until our last official meet of the season, and then two more weeks of practice before states. Can't believe it's already the middle of July!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
BAYS Beat the Heat, July 10-12, 2009
July is here, the sun is hot -- Lexy's swimming is not! Well, that's not entirely true (or fair), but she has been on fire the past couple of weeks -- this weekend seems to be the great leveler.
My suspicions about perhaps why she was really off this morning were confirmed. . .a delicate matter not to be discussed in a family-oriented blog. In short, a cuppa joe woulda fixed the issue.
Friday evening, Lexy was on deck to swim a 400 I.M. -- two 50M lengths of every stroke. A bit daunting for a kid who hasn't really made a habit of swimming IMs during the long course season! It was an honest mistake on my part -- I wrote down IM when I really meant freestyle. In the end, that's exactly what she swam -- the 400 free -- in a very respectable 6:31.49. The coaches were kind enough to help her find a spot in one of the 12&Under heats. That's an A time, by the way, just 11 seconds shy of the Q1. Really outstanding for her first try at this event! We all went out for sushi afterwards.
Saturday morning was a whole different story. We woke up to a thunderstorm, but it cleared up by the time we got to the pool. Once the sun came out, though, it heated right up and the humidity soared. I feel badly for the folks who have to sit out in the blazing sun this afternoon. The die hards will be using their umbrellas for relief from the sun, not the rain.
Lexy swam the 200 Free, the 100 Back, the 50 Free and the 50 Fly today. She had no personal bests, but you have days like that! Lots of her teammates had fast times and slow times, so I'm chalking it up to the changes that can happen during an outdoor meet -- too hot in the sun, too cold in the shade, etc.
On the video side, I'm not too excited about the quality today. To get the starts I had to shoot into the sun, and I could never tell exactly where I should be looking. So they were shaky at best. I'll spare you, and we'll leave videos until next weekend.
Tomorrow, Sunday, Lexy has four more events, so we'll be hoping for the best.
My suspicions about perhaps why she was really off this morning were confirmed. . .a delicate matter not to be discussed in a family-oriented blog. In short, a cuppa joe woulda fixed the issue.
Friday evening, Lexy was on deck to swim a 400 I.M. -- two 50M lengths of every stroke. A bit daunting for a kid who hasn't really made a habit of swimming IMs during the long course season! It was an honest mistake on my part -- I wrote down IM when I really meant freestyle. In the end, that's exactly what she swam -- the 400 free -- in a very respectable 6:31.49. The coaches were kind enough to help her find a spot in one of the 12&Under heats. That's an A time, by the way, just 11 seconds shy of the Q1. Really outstanding for her first try at this event! We all went out for sushi afterwards.
Saturday morning was a whole different story. We woke up to a thunderstorm, but it cleared up by the time we got to the pool. Once the sun came out, though, it heated right up and the humidity soared. I feel badly for the folks who have to sit out in the blazing sun this afternoon. The die hards will be using their umbrellas for relief from the sun, not the rain.
Lexy swam the 200 Free, the 100 Back, the 50 Free and the 50 Fly today. She had no personal bests, but you have days like that! Lots of her teammates had fast times and slow times, so I'm chalking it up to the changes that can happen during an outdoor meet -- too hot in the sun, too cold in the shade, etc.
On the video side, I'm not too excited about the quality today. To get the starts I had to shoot into the sun, and I could never tell exactly where I should be looking. So they were shaky at best. I'll spare you, and we'll leave videos until next weekend.
Tomorrow, Sunday, Lexy has four more events, so we'll be hoping for the best.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Lexy's First Meet Record! Barracuda Summer Sizzler - June 26-28
How fun and convenient it is to swim in a meet down the street from your house! We don't often get this luxury. This weekend, Lexy is swimming nine events in the Midland Barracuda meet, and we are making it a family affair -- Mom is timing, Sydney and Julius are "running" and Dad is taking video and generally cheering Lexy on.
We also are very fond of swim meets that last 90 minutes! There were so few kids signed up for the morning events, that we started at 10 am, and were done by 11:30. Now that's my kind of meet!
Actually, the meet started Friday night, and the office staff played a CD of Michael Jackson's best hits for the warmups. You know, the guy could really sing. It's too bad he melted down later in life.
Lexy swam her only long event Friday night, the 200 Free. She was trying to beat her best time of 3:07.36 and get a Q1 time of 3:00.19. She swam in the last heat, with girls who already had very fast times, so she finished 6 seconds faster at 3:01.42. Just 1.23 to go! She can do it!
On Saturday morning Lexy had four events: 50 Fly, 100 Free, 100 Breast and 50 Back. In her first event, 50 Fly, she was trying to beat her best time of 50.31 and get a Q1 of 43.59. She shaved off 4 seconds, to finish with a best time of 46.45. That 50 Fly is tough, but she did a great job.
In her 50 Back and 100 Free she was pretty much on her times. No major changes at all. But the real excitement came when Lexy got up on the blocks to swim the 100 Breaststroke. She had no recorded time in this event, but she got the Q1 time a couple of weeks ago at Eastern Michigan in the 50 Breast, and then she beat it at Oakland. We had every reason to believe she would do well in the 100 Breast today.
And boy, did she! Not only did she get the Q1 (the time to beat was 1:48.39) with a time of 1:48.18, she also broke the meet record for that event in her age group! It was Lexy's very first meet record. The best part was that she was swimming in Lane 3, where I was timing, and I got to give her the first wet hug for getting her Q1!
I cannot vouch for these videos -- Ed was behind the camera this meet!
Watch Lexy swim the 200 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17mfZVlSG4A
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQagKVTySF4
Watch Lexy swim the 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvm8xrDPe6o
Watch Lexy swim the 100 Breast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYIRt-t1iHs
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teBAnMXiAIc
Looking forward to a great day tomorrow, and four more events.
We also are very fond of swim meets that last 90 minutes! There were so few kids signed up for the morning events, that we started at 10 am, and were done by 11:30. Now that's my kind of meet!
Actually, the meet started Friday night, and the office staff played a CD of Michael Jackson's best hits for the warmups. You know, the guy could really sing. It's too bad he melted down later in life.
Lexy swam her only long event Friday night, the 200 Free. She was trying to beat her best time of 3:07.36 and get a Q1 time of 3:00.19. She swam in the last heat, with girls who already had very fast times, so she finished 6 seconds faster at 3:01.42. Just 1.23 to go! She can do it!
On Saturday morning Lexy had four events: 50 Fly, 100 Free, 100 Breast and 50 Back. In her first event, 50 Fly, she was trying to beat her best time of 50.31 and get a Q1 of 43.59. She shaved off 4 seconds, to finish with a best time of 46.45. That 50 Fly is tough, but she did a great job.
In her 50 Back and 100 Free she was pretty much on her times. No major changes at all. But the real excitement came when Lexy got up on the blocks to swim the 100 Breaststroke. She had no recorded time in this event, but she got the Q1 time a couple of weeks ago at Eastern Michigan in the 50 Breast, and then she beat it at Oakland. We had every reason to believe she would do well in the 100 Breast today.
And boy, did she! Not only did she get the Q1 (the time to beat was 1:48.39) with a time of 1:48.18, she also broke the meet record for that event in her age group! It was Lexy's very first meet record. The best part was that she was swimming in Lane 3, where I was timing, and I got to give her the first wet hug for getting her Q1!
I cannot vouch for these videos -- Ed was behind the camera this meet!
Watch Lexy swim the 200 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17mfZVlSG4A
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQagKVTySF4
Watch Lexy swim the 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvm8xrDPe6o
Watch Lexy swim the 100 Breast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYIRt-t1iHs
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teBAnMXiAIc
Looking forward to a great day tomorrow, and four more events.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Lexy's Triumphant Return
Lexy has been away at swim camp for a week, and a long week was had by all. Lex had some less-than-ideal experiences with the other campers and her roommate, resulting in some late night sobbing sessions. But she persevered, and had a very successful week.
I couldn't believe how many kids there were! It was easily over 60 total. Here they all are, on the starting side of the pool deck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQx7GcnKzi0
Coach Pete Hovland has been coaching at Oakland over 30 years, and he told the parents he used the same techniques, the same drills and the same teaching methods with the campers that he uses on his varsity swimmers. It made me feel that Lexy's received a quality first swim camp experience.
Today, on the last morning of camp, the coaches organized a mini swim meet for the parents to demonstrate what the kids had learned. It was very obvious to me and, according to the comments of the parents around me, that the kids had made a lot of progress in the week.
The meet was comprised entirely of relays, with each team having 8 members. Since the ages in the camp ranged widely, there were a variety of ages on each team, but they were organized to compete with kids in the same age range, i.e. 13 year olds would swim against 13 year olds; 9 year olds would swim against 9 year olds, and so on. This way, the teams were really close competitively.
After each event, the teams were assigned points based on how they finished First Place got one point, and so on -- so the team with the lowest score after eight events would be declared the winner and all the participants would win a Varsity Oakland Grizzlies swim cap!
By the time we had reached the seventh out of the eight events, Lexy's team, in Lane 1, was in first place, leading by one point.
The last event was the Freestyle relay - I recorded the entire event because I knew it would go fast and was it ever exciting!! Remember, Lex is always the last swimmer.
Watch Freestyle relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K05O0Gn98M
P.S. -- They won the swim cap!!
Here are the other relays. I missed the backstroke relay (forgot to push Record!) but I have all the others. I only taped the last couple of legs because the videos would get quite long. Some are crazy and fun! If you're a Lexacuda follower, I hope you notice her great improvements in breaststroke and butterfly!
Corkscrew Relay: alternating freestyle and backstroke, they swim in a spiral to the other end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSqQzsE-zqw
Breaststroke Relay: they got second in this one, but look how close it was!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cxWwdjkFTk
Inner Tube Relay: the kids had to sit in the tube and get to the other end without falling out. They weren't supposed to lay on their backs and do backstroke, but some kids got away with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL3SL-U4hHE
Butterfly Relay: Sorry about the bad camera work. I got so into watching her stroke that I lost my focus! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XKF7NqA7UA
T-Shirt Relay: kids had to swim with a shirt on and then transfer that shirt to the next swimmer. They got pretty creative with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4nCi_rSRa0
Well, not sure if we'll go back to the same camp next year, but if we do, I'm sure it will be a positive experience. Now -- let's see if Lex gets any more Q1s for the state meet!
I couldn't believe how many kids there were! It was easily over 60 total. Here they all are, on the starting side of the pool deck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQx7GcnKzi0
Coach Pete Hovland has been coaching at Oakland over 30 years, and he told the parents he used the same techniques, the same drills and the same teaching methods with the campers that he uses on his varsity swimmers. It made me feel that Lexy's received a quality first swim camp experience.
Today, on the last morning of camp, the coaches organized a mini swim meet for the parents to demonstrate what the kids had learned. It was very obvious to me and, according to the comments of the parents around me, that the kids had made a lot of progress in the week.
The meet was comprised entirely of relays, with each team having 8 members. Since the ages in the camp ranged widely, there were a variety of ages on each team, but they were organized to compete with kids in the same age range, i.e. 13 year olds would swim against 13 year olds; 9 year olds would swim against 9 year olds, and so on. This way, the teams were really close competitively.
After each event, the teams were assigned points based on how they finished First Place got one point, and so on -- so the team with the lowest score after eight events would be declared the winner and all the participants would win a Varsity Oakland Grizzlies swim cap!
By the time we had reached the seventh out of the eight events, Lexy's team, in Lane 1, was in first place, leading by one point.
The last event was the Freestyle relay - I recorded the entire event because I knew it would go fast and was it ever exciting!! Remember, Lex is always the last swimmer.
Watch Freestyle relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K05O0Gn98M
P.S. -- They won the swim cap!!
Here are the other relays. I missed the backstroke relay (forgot to push Record!) but I have all the others. I only taped the last couple of legs because the videos would get quite long. Some are crazy and fun! If you're a Lexacuda follower, I hope you notice her great improvements in breaststroke and butterfly!
Corkscrew Relay: alternating freestyle and backstroke, they swim in a spiral to the other end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSqQzsE-zqw
Breaststroke Relay: they got second in this one, but look how close it was!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cxWwdjkFTk
Inner Tube Relay: the kids had to sit in the tube and get to the other end without falling out. They weren't supposed to lay on their backs and do backstroke, but some kids got away with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL3SL-U4hHE
Butterfly Relay: Sorry about the bad camera work. I got so into watching her stroke that I lost my focus! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XKF7NqA7UA
T-Shirt Relay: kids had to swim with a shirt on and then transfer that shirt to the next swimmer. They got pretty creative with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4nCi_rSRa0
Well, not sure if we'll go back to the same camp next year, but if we do, I'm sure it will be a positive experience. Now -- let's see if Lex gets any more Q1s for the state meet!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Oakland Live "y"ers Invitational -- Day 2
Every time we go to a meet we learn something new. Being under age 12, Lexy usually swims in the mornings, which makes deciding whether we are going to stay over in a hotel a no-brainer. You get up early, you swim, and you're done by noon. Once in a while, though, we encounter a meet where the 12 & unders swim in the afternoon. This makes a rude surprise for the teenagers, who are used to the p.m. timeslots.
Since Lex swam in the afternoon for both days of this meet, we drove down on Saturday morning, she swam in the afternoon, and then we went home. Not only did we save on the hotel room, but we also got to sleep in our own beds, which I think is an added bonus. Also, this meet was only about an hour and a half from the house, so not unmanageable.
The driving, however, does tend to tire you out, so I really do think there are some tradeoffs -- hotel and meal costs vs. gas costs and familiarity.
Lexy had a full day on Saturday, and actually fuller than I expected. I hadn't signed her up to swim the 100 Fly, but she was on the roster to swim it anyway. So, after all was said and done, she swam the 200 Free, the 50 Back the 50 Breast and the 100 Fly.
In the 200 Free, Lexy was about 5 seconds slower, but she was faster in everything else today.
Watch Lexy's four events.
200 Free: Lexy is in lane 7 and finisheds five seconds slower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DY89qdgTkk
50 Back - half a second faster, Lexy's is in Lane 6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDDqXdygVpU
50 Breast - half a second faster and still a Q1! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC8GnW9Mi6U
100 Fly - First time swimming and within four seconds of a Q1! Try not to listen to the guy who is barking in the background:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5zFOVk3bQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5zFOVk3bQ
After the meet, we walked to Lexy's dorm and got her settled in for her week-long swim camp. We were a little later than the other kids since only a few of the kids were swimming in the OLY meet, but we met up with the rest of the group just as they were finishing their tour of the campus and headed for the dining hall. Lexy called me later that evening to tell me how great the food was (they have an ice cream bar) and how hot the room is (we should have brought a fan). But hey, let's face it, it's a lot better than a mosquito infested tent up in Harrison! I'm looking forward to the mini-swim meet the camp will host on Friday, and seeing some improvement in her fly, back and breast strokes.
Love you louie!!
Since Lex swam in the afternoon for both days of this meet, we drove down on Saturday morning, she swam in the afternoon, and then we went home. Not only did we save on the hotel room, but we also got to sleep in our own beds, which I think is an added bonus. Also, this meet was only about an hour and a half from the house, so not unmanageable.
The driving, however, does tend to tire you out, so I really do think there are some tradeoffs -- hotel and meal costs vs. gas costs and familiarity.
Lexy had a full day on Saturday, and actually fuller than I expected. I hadn't signed her up to swim the 100 Fly, but she was on the roster to swim it anyway. So, after all was said and done, she swam the 200 Free, the 50 Back the 50 Breast and the 100 Fly.
In the 200 Free, Lexy was about 5 seconds slower, but she was faster in everything else today.
Watch Lexy's four events.
200 Free: Lexy is in lane 7 and finisheds five seconds slower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DY89qdgTkk
50 Back - half a second faster, Lexy's is in Lane 6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDDqXdygVpU
50 Breast - half a second faster and still a Q1! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC8GnW9Mi6U
100 Fly - First time swimming and within four seconds of a Q1! Try not to listen to the guy who is barking in the background:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5zFOVk3bQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5zFOVk3bQ
After the meet, we walked to Lexy's dorm and got her settled in for her week-long swim camp. We were a little later than the other kids since only a few of the kids were swimming in the OLY meet, but we met up with the rest of the group just as they were finishing their tour of the campus and headed for the dining hall. Lexy called me later that evening to tell me how great the food was (they have an ice cream bar) and how hot the room is (we should have brought a fan). But hey, let's face it, it's a lot better than a mosquito infested tent up in Harrison! I'm looking forward to the mini-swim meet the camp will host on Friday, and seeing some improvement in her fly, back and breast strokes.
Love you louie!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Breaking in the New Suit
Today and tomorrow, Lexy is swimming at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Oakland is a fairly new school with an absolutely pristine swimming complex. Lexy was scheduled to swim four events today, and she will swim four more tomorrow. And, after she's finished with her events tomorrow, we'll check her in to her swimming camp, which is also taking place at Oakland. We appreciate the Oakland club for timing their meet so conveniently for us! She'll be here for a week, and then I'll come back to get her on Friday and deliver her to next week's meet in Dearborn.
The big excitement today was that Lexy was swimming for the first time in her new Speedo FastSkin. If you'll recall, this suit was promised to Lexy when she got her first qualifying time for the state meet, and she got that two weeks ago. These are popular suits and it was hard to find one in the size and color Lexy wanted, but we called around and managed to get it in time for this meet. And, it wasn't until I walked into the viewing stands that I realized I'd forgotten my video camera. Oh well, all that means is there will be no visual aids for this installment. I'll remember it tomorrow.
The suit, however, did not make a marked difference in Lexy's performance. She finished about a second slower in the 50 Free, about two-tenths faster in the 50 Fly, she was disqualified in the 100 Backstroke for gliding too far into her turn, and finished about two seconds slower than her fastest time in the 100 Freestyle. While it wasn't a day with big celebrations, you can't have those every time. Lexy put in a very solid performance, swimming at or just below her fastest times.
We came home tonight to sleep in our own beds instead of staying in Oakland. . .and we rented
Alvin and the Chipmunks from the big red box video vending machine. How cool is that?
The big excitement today was that Lexy was swimming for the first time in her new Speedo FastSkin. If you'll recall, this suit was promised to Lexy when she got her first qualifying time for the state meet, and she got that two weeks ago. These are popular suits and it was hard to find one in the size and color Lexy wanted, but we called around and managed to get it in time for this meet. And, it wasn't until I walked into the viewing stands that I realized I'd forgotten my video camera. Oh well, all that means is there will be no visual aids for this installment. I'll remember it tomorrow.
The suit, however, did not make a marked difference in Lexy's performance. She finished about a second slower in the 50 Free, about two-tenths faster in the 50 Fly, she was disqualified in the 100 Backstroke for gliding too far into her turn, and finished about two seconds slower than her fastest time in the 100 Freestyle. While it wasn't a day with big celebrations, you can't have those every time. Lexy put in a very solid performance, swimming at or just below her fastest times.
We came home tonight to sleep in our own beds instead of staying in Oakland. . .and we rented
Alvin and the Chipmunks from the big red box video vending machine. How cool is that?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday at EMU -- One A and two "what the ?"s
Wow, it's the end of May and it was c-o-l-d this morning. Under 50 is cold at this time of year. The Canadians at the meeet didn't seem to mind though. Yes, we did see a few Ontario license plates this morning, and we did stand for both national anthems. The Michiganders in the room were still coming down from the Wings win in Game One of the Stanley Cup. There's cup fever everywhere.
In the Michael Jones natatorium, we had Q1 fever, but we didn't get any today. We had to settle for one "A" time, in Lexy's last event -- the 100 Freestyle. She got slower in both her 50 Backstroke and the 50 Butterfly. We hope her swim camp in a couple of weeks will help her get better in these events.
Here are today's videos. My favorite is the 100 Free, where she went in with a 1:28.29, and needed a 1:26.79. She got a 1:26.60, and boy did I come unglued!
Watch Lexy swim the 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sdOC2E3h-s
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_cNvAgsg1s
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHjAVGPhNOQ
Tomorrow night (June 1) is the Dolphins UNO meet. This is just a small meet for our team. More tomorrow!
In the Michael Jones natatorium, we had Q1 fever, but we didn't get any today. We had to settle for one "A" time, in Lexy's last event -- the 100 Freestyle. She got slower in both her 50 Backstroke and the 50 Butterfly. We hope her swim camp in a couple of weeks will help her get better in these events.
Here are today's videos. My favorite is the 100 Free, where she went in with a 1:28.29, and needed a 1:26.79. She got a 1:26.60, and boy did I come unglued!
Watch Lexy swim the 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sdOC2E3h-s
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_cNvAgsg1s
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHjAVGPhNOQ
Tomorrow night (June 1) is the Dolphins UNO meet. This is just a small meet for our team. More tomorrow!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
"A" Times and Q1s and Fastskins -- Oh My!
While diving was a fun distraction, it's time to get back into the (50 meter) pool and start the spring/summer swim meet season. For our first meet of the season, we're back at Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti, where the pool is huge, the diving platforms are intimidating and the viewing stands are full.
On Friday night, however, the stands were only about a quarter full, as Fridays are generally reserved to get the longer events out of the way. We're thankful we didn't have to sit through the 1500 meter events! But after about 10 heats of the 400 IM, Lexy was finally ready to swim the 200 meter Freestyle. She has only swum this event once before in competition, last summer, so she had a whole year to improve and I was certain she would do well. Her previous time was a 3:23.48, and she needed a 3:09 to make an "A" time.
The video may be a little difficult to watch because of the perspective (straight on instead of from the side), and I swear I tried to control myself because Lexy hates to hear me cheering her on in the videos, but when I realized she was going to get the "A" time, I just couldn't help myself. What is a mother to do? Her new time is now 3:07.36 and she was in the "B" division coming in which means she finished first among the "B"s, but she will be seeded in the "A"s next time.
Watch Lexy swim the 200 Freestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3A-BQagP3Q
With this "A" time under her belt, over a pasta dinner we pored over the remaining events for Saturday and Sunday to see where she was seeded and where we thought she could achieve another "A" time, or even better, a Q1. Swimmers need a Q1 to qualify for the State Long Course championship meet in August. This is difficult to do, and many swimmers reach for this prize but few attain it.
One of the events we identified for this goal was her first event on Saturday, the 50 meter breaststroke. Lexy had a 54.14 going into this event, and needed a 51.09 for the Q1. She finished the event at 50.97! I was nearly in tears. She jumped up and down when her coach told her she had just gotten her first state cut. This is truly a huge accomplishment and we couldn't be more proud of her. If you are a Lexacuda blog follower, you will recognize the irony in that, at one point, breaststroke was Lexy's least favorite. I need not point out that is no longer the case! Now, we have to make good on our promise: we told Lexy that when she got her first Q1 we would buy her a Fastskin suit. These are the suits the Olympians wear, and it's sort of a rite of passage that swimmers get Fastskins when they break the Q1 barrier. These suits are buoyant and actually help you swim faster as a result.
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Breaststroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeidsHIVCxA
Lexy's next event was the 50 meter Freestyle. Going in she had a 38.78 and needed to shave a little more than a second for a Q1. We thought she had this one all wrapped up and in the bag, but it proved to be tougher than we thought--she finished one second slower. Well, we have until July 31 to break this barrier!
Her last event on Saturday was the 100 meter Backstroke. This was the event she swam last December at the University of Michigan, when she had some sort of stomach flu. That day, she shaved 22 seconds off her best time. So, she went into this event with a 1:49.16, and needed a 1:43.49 for the "A" time. She managed to drop 5 seconds, to 1:44.44, about 1.5 seconds shy of the "A" time. These are all very manageable and I feel really confident that she'll surpass the A and Q1 times in both of these events in the next two months.
Watch Lexy swim the 100 meter Backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FaLUwz5dKo
Tomorrow, we'll be watching her swim the 50 Fly, 50 Back and 100 Free! Can't wait to share more good news!
On Friday night, however, the stands were only about a quarter full, as Fridays are generally reserved to get the longer events out of the way. We're thankful we didn't have to sit through the 1500 meter events! But after about 10 heats of the 400 IM, Lexy was finally ready to swim the 200 meter Freestyle. She has only swum this event once before in competition, last summer, so she had a whole year to improve and I was certain she would do well. Her previous time was a 3:23.48, and she needed a 3:09 to make an "A" time.
The video may be a little difficult to watch because of the perspective (straight on instead of from the side), and I swear I tried to control myself because Lexy hates to hear me cheering her on in the videos, but when I realized she was going to get the "A" time, I just couldn't help myself. What is a mother to do? Her new time is now 3:07.36 and she was in the "B" division coming in which means she finished first among the "B"s, but she will be seeded in the "A"s next time.
Watch Lexy swim the 200 Freestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3A-BQagP3Q
With this "A" time under her belt, over a pasta dinner we pored over the remaining events for Saturday and Sunday to see where she was seeded and where we thought she could achieve another "A" time, or even better, a Q1. Swimmers need a Q1 to qualify for the State Long Course championship meet in August. This is difficult to do, and many swimmers reach for this prize but few attain it.
One of the events we identified for this goal was her first event on Saturday, the 50 meter breaststroke. Lexy had a 54.14 going into this event, and needed a 51.09 for the Q1. She finished the event at 50.97! I was nearly in tears. She jumped up and down when her coach told her she had just gotten her first state cut. This is truly a huge accomplishment and we couldn't be more proud of her. If you are a Lexacuda blog follower, you will recognize the irony in that, at one point, breaststroke was Lexy's least favorite. I need not point out that is no longer the case! Now, we have to make good on our promise: we told Lexy that when she got her first Q1 we would buy her a Fastskin suit. These are the suits the Olympians wear, and it's sort of a rite of passage that swimmers get Fastskins when they break the Q1 barrier. These suits are buoyant and actually help you swim faster as a result.
Watch Lexy swim the 50 Breaststroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeidsHIVCxA
Lexy's next event was the 50 meter Freestyle. Going in she had a 38.78 and needed to shave a little more than a second for a Q1. We thought she had this one all wrapped up and in the bag, but it proved to be tougher than we thought--she finished one second slower. Well, we have until July 31 to break this barrier!
Her last event on Saturday was the 100 meter Backstroke. This was the event she swam last December at the University of Michigan, when she had some sort of stomach flu. That day, she shaved 22 seconds off her best time. So, she went into this event with a 1:49.16, and needed a 1:43.49 for the "A" time. She managed to drop 5 seconds, to 1:44.44, about 1.5 seconds shy of the "A" time. These are all very manageable and I feel really confident that she'll surpass the A and Q1 times in both of these events in the next two months.
Watch Lexy swim the 100 meter Backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FaLUwz5dKo
Tomorrow, we'll be watching her swim the 50 Fly, 50 Back and 100 Free! Can't wait to share more good news!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Dive In!
To break up the monotony of laps, let's add a new twist. Well, before we add a twist, we first need to know how to jump into the pool off the diving board--over and over and over and. . .well, you get the idea. Lexy must have jumped/dived into the pool over 50 times in this first class. Here are just a few highlights.
Lexy's first diving class started with understanding the "approach", as in HOW you approach the end of the board. In general, you take about four steps, bring up one knee and jump, then bring both feet down onto the board. Then you execute your dive. Lexy spent quite a while figuring out the approach. The first exercise was to figure out where you start on the board. To do this, you start at the other end, and pace it off backwards.
Pacing it off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGJ4Fkiy0o
Once we have our approach squared away, we practice our form jumping in. (Bonus: you get to watch a guy whose been diving a while!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvh2U-AM7R0
Next she tries her first dive off the board. A little praise and instruction from the coach follows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHAk_Fqgxnc
The next one isn't Quite as graceful. Hard to stifle the giggle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj1PggScfh4
This one's a lot better!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F94ZJeSpVqk
Lexy patiently waits for the coach's attention. Then she hits the board way too far back, resulting in the flip over:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jMUt0F21k
This last one is my favorite! Lexy's first attempt at a backward dive. Coach Beth is out there on the board with her. Notice how the guy on the other board decides to wait until Lexy is done! Towards the end my phone rings, so the camera wiggles when I answer it -- it's Ed -- just in time to hear me moan sympathetically as Lexy hits the water!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY2gOpFydBM
Let's hope there's progress next week!
Lexy's first diving class started with understanding the "approach", as in HOW you approach the end of the board. In general, you take about four steps, bring up one knee and jump, then bring both feet down onto the board. Then you execute your dive. Lexy spent quite a while figuring out the approach. The first exercise was to figure out where you start on the board. To do this, you start at the other end, and pace it off backwards.
Pacing it off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whGJ4Fkiy0o
Once we have our approach squared away, we practice our form jumping in. (Bonus: you get to watch a guy whose been diving a while!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvh2U-AM7R0
Next she tries her first dive off the board. A little praise and instruction from the coach follows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHAk_Fqgxnc
The next one isn't Quite as graceful. Hard to stifle the giggle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj1PggScfh4
This one's a lot better!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F94ZJeSpVqk
Lexy patiently waits for the coach's attention. Then she hits the board way too far back, resulting in the flip over:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jMUt0F21k
This last one is my favorite! Lexy's first attempt at a backward dive. Coach Beth is out there on the board with her. Notice how the guy on the other board decides to wait until Lexy is done! Towards the end my phone rings, so the camera wiggles when I answer it -- it's Ed -- just in time to hear me moan sympathetically as Lexy hits the water!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY2gOpFydBM
Let's hope there's progress next week!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
MTSL Championships, March 1, 2009
The bank's electronic sign blinked 13 degrees as we drove past this morning on our way to the final meet of the season at Dow High School. A total of 19 teams met this weekend to wrap up the season and crown the fastest swimmers in every event. While Lexy was not the fastest, she finished very respectably, considering a very slow start to the season last fall.
To begin the month of March and end the swim season, Lexy swam three individual events and one relay. She swam the 100 I.M., the 50 Free and the 100 Free. Mom was down on the pool deck as a volunteer timer, so it was Dad's turn to hold the video camera.
The 100 I.M., the event with all four strokes, has always been a strong event for Lexy. She recently broke the minute and a half barrier to qualify for the championship meet. She entered this meet with a 1:28.60, and finished tied for third, dropping one second to 1:27.60. She tied with another girl named Lexie! Since starting the season in November, Lexy has improved her overall I.M. time by more than 10.5 seconds. Way to go, Lex!
Watch the 100 IM. She's in lane 5, in the dark swim cap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIOkh2qjZT0
In the 50 Freestyle, Lexy started the season with a 38.69, and needed a 36 to qualify. She got that just a few weeks ago, and entered this meet with a 35.65. She placed fifth overall in this event, bettering her time by 1.5 seconds, finishing the season with a best time of 34.22. She improved almost 4.5 seconds since November. Another awesome finish.
Watch the 50 Freestyle. Lane 2, dark swim cap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnQl224SMTw
In the 100 Freestyle, Lexy was seeded very well -- among the very best swimmers. She finished last in her heat, and ninth overall, with a time of 1:20.04, about 2 seconds slower than her best time. Her events were pretty close together this morning, so she was a little tired from the first two. Overall, again, a very respectable showing. Since last fall, Lexy has improved in the 100 Freestyle by 11.25 seconds!
Watch the last length and a half of the 100 Freestyle (Ed's finger slipped): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JzuVVwtdk8
Finally, the girls swam their final 200 Freestyle relay, and bettered their combined time by two seconds. They are four strong swimmers, and I hope they can keep this relay team going into next year!
Watch the 200 Freestyle relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mb5qkdZkjU
Now that the season is over, we are going to try a new class for a few weeks: springboard diving! We'll be back next week with a report on our first diving attempts.
To begin the month of March and end the swim season, Lexy swam three individual events and one relay. She swam the 100 I.M., the 50 Free and the 100 Free. Mom was down on the pool deck as a volunteer timer, so it was Dad's turn to hold the video camera.
The 100 I.M., the event with all four strokes, has always been a strong event for Lexy. She recently broke the minute and a half barrier to qualify for the championship meet. She entered this meet with a 1:28.60, and finished tied for third, dropping one second to 1:27.60. She tied with another girl named Lexie! Since starting the season in November, Lexy has improved her overall I.M. time by more than 10.5 seconds. Way to go, Lex!
Watch the 100 IM. She's in lane 5, in the dark swim cap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIOkh2qjZT0
In the 50 Freestyle, Lexy started the season with a 38.69, and needed a 36 to qualify. She got that just a few weeks ago, and entered this meet with a 35.65. She placed fifth overall in this event, bettering her time by 1.5 seconds, finishing the season with a best time of 34.22. She improved almost 4.5 seconds since November. Another awesome finish.
Watch the 50 Freestyle. Lane 2, dark swim cap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnQl224SMTw
In the 100 Freestyle, Lexy was seeded very well -- among the very best swimmers. She finished last in her heat, and ninth overall, with a time of 1:20.04, about 2 seconds slower than her best time. Her events were pretty close together this morning, so she was a little tired from the first two. Overall, again, a very respectable showing. Since last fall, Lexy has improved in the 100 Freestyle by 11.25 seconds!
Watch the last length and a half of the 100 Freestyle (Ed's finger slipped): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JzuVVwtdk8
Finally, the girls swam their final 200 Freestyle relay, and bettered their combined time by two seconds. They are four strong swimmers, and I hope they can keep this relay team going into next year!
Watch the 200 Freestyle relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mb5qkdZkjU
Now that the season is over, we are going to try a new class for a few weeks: springboard diving! We'll be back next week with a report on our first diving attempts.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Missed it by THAT Much. . .Feb 21, 2009
. . . and now, turning to sports and weather . . .
Lex had a good day of swimming, but she didn't qualify for any more events for next weekend's Michigan Team Swim League Championships. She'll need to be content to swim the 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free and 100 IM.
On Saturday, swimming in a dual meet against the Bay Area swim team, Lexy tried her hardest to break the barriers keeping her from qualifying in the other 50 yard events. While she finished in second place in nearly everything, she was still a second or two, or even a few tenths of a second shy of a qualifying time. Qualifying times were hard to come by today, and Lex wasn't the only one who was frustrated.
Watch Saturday's videos:
200 Medley Relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj8wg4qP0jU
50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Lob7Wvrsk
50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX4IGeR9H4k
50 Breast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVd-VCbHvq4
And now to weather -- winter made a comeback in full force today. It snowed nearly all day, leaving us with about 5.5 inches when all was said and done. Just one more brutal reminder that winter isn't over in mid-Michigan until it is darned good and ready to be done.
Lex had a good day of swimming, but she didn't qualify for any more events for next weekend's Michigan Team Swim League Championships. She'll need to be content to swim the 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free and 100 IM.
On Saturday, swimming in a dual meet against the Bay Area swim team, Lexy tried her hardest to break the barriers keeping her from qualifying in the other 50 yard events. While she finished in second place in nearly everything, she was still a second or two, or even a few tenths of a second shy of a qualifying time. Qualifying times were hard to come by today, and Lex wasn't the only one who was frustrated.
Watch Saturday's videos:
200 Medley Relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj8wg4qP0jU
50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Lob7Wvrsk
50 Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX4IGeR9H4k
50 Breast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVd-VCbHvq4
And now to weather -- winter made a comeback in full force today. It snowed nearly all day, leaving us with about 5.5 inches when all was said and done. Just one more brutal reminder that winter isn't over in mid-Michigan until it is darned good and ready to be done.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine's Day Meet, Bay City Western High School
What's there to love about a swim meet on Valentine's Day? A lot, if you're swimming to qualify in the state meet. It also helps when the organizers move the start time from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. I hate going to swim meets in the dark! This one was also better because it was only about 10 minutes away in Bay City and, since it was snowing lightly, we didn't have too far to go in the snow.
Lexy had a full day, with two relays and four individual events. She has already qualified for three events at the league championships: the 50 Free, 100 Free and 200 Free. She needs to qualify in all the other events: 100 I.M., 50 Fly, 50 Back and 50 Breast. These were the four she swam today.
I think you'll love the end of the first relay. This was the 200 yard medley relay, where all the kids swim their best stroke. It's always tough to decide who to put in the anchor position, and this time the coaches chose Bridget. I hope it is as fun for you as it was for me!
200 Yard Medley Relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41OI9Ke-Zvw
Next was the 100 I.M. Lexy went into this event with a best time of 1:33.25. She needed a 1:31.00 and she got a 1:28.60!!! Help me cheer Lexy on to one of her best time drops ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF0p18cPhWM
Right on the heels of the 100 I.M. is the 50 Butterfly. The qualifying time for this event is a 44.00. Lexy's best time is a 46.12, and in this swim, she drops .09. You'll hear me say she missed it by .03, but she really misses by :02.03
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHGdusKhZ_w
Next was the 50 Backstroke. She needs at 42.00 in this event, and we went in with a 46.47. She Swam a 47.71. We have a ways to go with this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rotLnu46P5U
Her final individual event, the 50 Breastroke, was kind of weird. . .I thought she was getting in line to swim, but she seemed to be just standing around. So I got her attention and beckoned her over, and it turned out she did not realize she was swimming the 50 Breast. I showed her that she was the top seed in the event--last heat and lane three which is the "pole position" for swimmers. The next best swimmer was more than two seconds slower. So, Lex got in and blew away her 49.68 by two seconds! She also came in first in this event! She winds up with a 47.95 -- which is fantastic, but still :00.95 slower than the qualifying time. We have one more second to shave, and we have only one more weekend to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7lRusOT6Yg
And, finally, the girls team up once more for the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwBlS4FOTwA
Looking forward to next weekend, and the Midland/BAYS Dual Meet.
Lexy had a full day, with two relays and four individual events. She has already qualified for three events at the league championships: the 50 Free, 100 Free and 200 Free. She needs to qualify in all the other events: 100 I.M., 50 Fly, 50 Back and 50 Breast. These were the four she swam today.
I think you'll love the end of the first relay. This was the 200 yard medley relay, where all the kids swim their best stroke. It's always tough to decide who to put in the anchor position, and this time the coaches chose Bridget. I hope it is as fun for you as it was for me!
200 Yard Medley Relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41OI9Ke-Zvw
Next was the 100 I.M. Lexy went into this event with a best time of 1:33.25. She needed a 1:31.00 and she got a 1:28.60!!! Help me cheer Lexy on to one of her best time drops ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF0p18cPhWM
Right on the heels of the 100 I.M. is the 50 Butterfly. The qualifying time for this event is a 44.00. Lexy's best time is a 46.12, and in this swim, she drops .09. You'll hear me say she missed it by .03, but she really misses by :02.03
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHGdusKhZ_w
Next was the 50 Backstroke. She needs at 42.00 in this event, and we went in with a 46.47. She Swam a 47.71. We have a ways to go with this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rotLnu46P5U
Her final individual event, the 50 Breastroke, was kind of weird. . .I thought she was getting in line to swim, but she seemed to be just standing around. So I got her attention and beckoned her over, and it turned out she did not realize she was swimming the 50 Breast. I showed her that she was the top seed in the event--last heat and lane three which is the "pole position" for swimmers. The next best swimmer was more than two seconds slower. So, Lex got in and blew away her 49.68 by two seconds! She also came in first in this event! She winds up with a 47.95 -- which is fantastic, but still :00.95 slower than the qualifying time. We have one more second to shave, and we have only one more weekend to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7lRusOT6Yg
And, finally, the girls team up once more for the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwBlS4FOTwA
Looking forward to next weekend, and the Midland/BAYS Dual Meet.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Lengths for Loot Swim A Thon, Feb 10, 2009
Lengths for Loot is the new annual fundraiser for Dolphins and Barracudas. Instead of making the kids (parents) sell candy / candles / wrapping paper / you name it, this year the kids had to swim a prescribed number of lengths based on their swimming experience, and get people to sponsor them.
At Lexy's level, she had to swim 150 lengths of a 25 yard pool (slightly more than two miles) to have her sponsorship count. She did it, in 67 minutes. That's an average of about 22 seconds per lap. She was allowed to wear her swim fins, so that made a huge difference in how quickly she was able to put those laps behind her. A couple of times she took off the fins and the laps took forever!
Here are some representative videos of the event:
Just getting started: HUGE Smile and chatting with Jennifer Yu!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqNk4II0P9I
Lap 35: Lex is getting bored with freestyle already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLdg02EPhk
Lap 70: She is getting a little punchy. What she is saying is that having a Slurpee makes you go faster!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oy4Ac2Lw7E
Lap 100: 2/3 done! She looks bored.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NdhHtc-DI8
The end is near! Four laps to go. That wasn't so bad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRFB44VwnsI
At Lexy's level, she had to swim 150 lengths of a 25 yard pool (slightly more than two miles) to have her sponsorship count. She did it, in 67 minutes. That's an average of about 22 seconds per lap. She was allowed to wear her swim fins, so that made a huge difference in how quickly she was able to put those laps behind her. A couple of times she took off the fins and the laps took forever!
Here are some representative videos of the event:
Just getting started: HUGE Smile and chatting with Jennifer Yu!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqNk4II0P9I
Lap 35: Lex is getting bored with freestyle already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLdg02EPhk
Lap 70: She is getting a little punchy. What she is saying is that having a Slurpee makes you go faster!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oy4Ac2Lw7E
Lap 100: 2/3 done! She looks bored.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NdhHtc-DI8
The end is near! Four laps to go. That wasn't so bad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRFB44VwnsI
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A different kind of meet. . .
We’re taking a break from swimming this week—but not from traveling! This weekend is the Michigan Open for swimming, but Lexy didn’t have any qualifying times. Maybe next year! Good thing, too, because Sydney has been rehearsing with the Drama Club almost every day after school for the Drama regional competition, which is being held at Holland High School this weekend.
Midland High won the district competition against Bay City and Saginaw a few weeks ago, so this weekend seven high schools across this region are competing. Each high school needs to prepare a 45-minute one-act version of a play or musical. If the performance goes over 45 minutes they are disqualified! I don’t know all the criteria the kids are judged on, but length is definitely one of them.
In 2007, MHS performed Seussical, and in 2008 they performed 45 minutes worth of Godspell. This year, the musical is “Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?” I wasn’t familiar with the show, but it is fun, and the kids do a great job with it. The basic premise is about growing up while attending Catholic School. Sydney plays trombone in the pit orchestra. She has to dress as a nun.
Holland is the tulip capital of Michigan, and is 145 miles from home! But we’re still a few months “Tulip Time”, as the local festival is known. I’ve only been to the tulip festival once, and the tulips were on the wane anyway.
Holland is also known for its Dutch-inspired architechture, which is fun to look at, as well as a number of outdoor tourist attractions, most of which are closed in February. It is a bit warmer than it has been – the local bank showed a temperature of 49 degrees at 9 am. I guess this is what caused the ice on the roof of our hotel to melt and slide off at varying intervals during the night. I would just drift off and then – BANG—there went another sheet of ice. The wind also woke me up from time to time. I later learned it was gusting up to 60 mph. If it was any colder, there would be a wicked wind chill! But we are thankful it is warmer and the sun is out.
After we dropped Sydney and Julius off at the school, Lexy and I went over to Bob Evans for a ‘real’ breakfast. As we were leaving, a man tapped on my driver side window. Weird, but whatever. He wanted to tell me that he had also once owned a Ford Expedition and that he sold it but kept his third-row seat. He had noticed that I didn’t have my third-row seat in my car. I told him I don’t usually drive around with it because it’s so heavy and I get better mileage without it. I guess he walked away disappointed because he really wanted to get rid of it! After he left Lexy and I laughed for a long time because it was just so weird!!
I didn't make Lexy sit through all seven performances today, so we did a few things while the other schools were performing, and made sure we were back by the time Midland High School went on. We spent a good part of the day at the nicest pool I've ever visited -- and I've been to a few over the past couple of years! The Holland Community Aquatic Center gets high marks from me for being a very clean, modern swimming experience. They had not only an eight lane lap pool, but also a huge curvy slide, a splash zone for the younger kids, several diving boards, tubes, a basketball net and a floating obstacle course. Lexy had a great time here! It was about as much fun as she could have for $5!
Back to Sydney -- we went back to Holland High School in time for MHS's performance. They did a great job, even better than at districts. All this rehearsal time was really paying off! The audience laughed in all the right places, and I enjoyed it even more the second time. The judges were VERY late with their awards though -- almost an hour later than expected -- and since Holland is 2.5 hours one way to Midland, I really was getting antsy to leave. They had to do all kinds of awards for the seven participating high schools but the amazing news is that Midland won the competition against some really excellent schools. They will go to states next weekend. I wish them luck!
Midland High won the district competition against Bay City and Saginaw a few weeks ago, so this weekend seven high schools across this region are competing. Each high school needs to prepare a 45-minute one-act version of a play or musical. If the performance goes over 45 minutes they are disqualified! I don’t know all the criteria the kids are judged on, but length is definitely one of them.
In 2007, MHS performed Seussical, and in 2008 they performed 45 minutes worth of Godspell. This year, the musical is “Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?” I wasn’t familiar with the show, but it is fun, and the kids do a great job with it. The basic premise is about growing up while attending Catholic School. Sydney plays trombone in the pit orchestra. She has to dress as a nun.
Holland is the tulip capital of Michigan, and is 145 miles from home! But we’re still a few months “Tulip Time”, as the local festival is known. I’ve only been to the tulip festival once, and the tulips were on the wane anyway.
Holland is also known for its Dutch-inspired architechture, which is fun to look at, as well as a number of outdoor tourist attractions, most of which are closed in February. It is a bit warmer than it has been – the local bank showed a temperature of 49 degrees at 9 am. I guess this is what caused the ice on the roof of our hotel to melt and slide off at varying intervals during the night. I would just drift off and then – BANG—there went another sheet of ice. The wind also woke me up from time to time. I later learned it was gusting up to 60 mph. If it was any colder, there would be a wicked wind chill! But we are thankful it is warmer and the sun is out.
After we dropped Sydney and Julius off at the school, Lexy and I went over to Bob Evans for a ‘real’ breakfast. As we were leaving, a man tapped on my driver side window. Weird, but whatever. He wanted to tell me that he had also once owned a Ford Expedition and that he sold it but kept his third-row seat. He had noticed that I didn’t have my third-row seat in my car. I told him I don’t usually drive around with it because it’s so heavy and I get better mileage without it. I guess he walked away disappointed because he really wanted to get rid of it! After he left Lexy and I laughed for a long time because it was just so weird!!
I didn't make Lexy sit through all seven performances today, so we did a few things while the other schools were performing, and made sure we were back by the time Midland High School went on. We spent a good part of the day at the nicest pool I've ever visited -- and I've been to a few over the past couple of years! The Holland Community Aquatic Center gets high marks from me for being a very clean, modern swimming experience. They had not only an eight lane lap pool, but also a huge curvy slide, a splash zone for the younger kids, several diving boards, tubes, a basketball net and a floating obstacle course. Lexy had a great time here! It was about as much fun as she could have for $5!
Back to Sydney -- we went back to Holland High School in time for MHS's performance. They did a great job, even better than at districts. All this rehearsal time was really paying off! The audience laughed in all the right places, and I enjoyed it even more the second time. The judges were VERY late with their awards though -- almost an hour later than expected -- and since Holland is 2.5 hours one way to Midland, I really was getting antsy to leave. They had to do all kinds of awards for the seven participating high schools but the amazing news is that Midland won the competition against some really excellent schools. They will go to states next weekend. I wish them luck!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Club Wolverine Waterfest, Feb 1, 2009 (part deux)
Goodbye January; hello February. Here is my top ten list of why I was elated to flip the calendar today:
10. We don't have to listen to people whine about the Lions for six months.
9. It's three days shorter than last month.
8. It's was about 20 degrees warmer today than yesterday.
7. TBS will play Groundhog Day tomorrow.
6. TBS will play Groundhog Day tomorrow.
5. TBS will play . . . (just kidding).
4. Drag racing season starts next weekend (that was for Ed).
3. It would be nice not to hear the words "Did you see Dow on the news last night?"
2. I have a nice dinner planned for Valentine's Day.
. . . and the number one reason why February is better than January is:
1. Lexy got three best times at her swim meet today, and four this weekend!
Before I get into the details of the meet, I have to say, I learned a good lesson this weekend. The answer to the following question should ALWAYS be NO! "Shall we confirm you in a non-smoking room with two double beds?"
If you haven't stayed in a hotel lately, let me help: a "double" bed in hotel terms is just a wee bit wider than a twin bed. Therefore, trying to squeeze even two reasonably sized people into one would prove challenging. Since I decided to give Sydney a respite from Lexy's tendency to overtake the bed, I spent both nights clutching my side of the mattress, hoping not to fall off. I was playing the role of bed barnacle, for lack of a better term.
As I mentioned in number one of my top ten list, Lexy had a terrific day today. She swam three individual events: the 50 backstroke, the 50 butterfly, the 100 freestyle, and one relay. For the 50 back, she finished .3 seconds faster. from 46.47 to 46.16.
Watch 50 Backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voEv2s-nzdo
This whole year the 50 fly has not been one of Lexy's better strokes, but today she knocked off almost two seconds, from 46.37 to 44.69.
Watch 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63XBwLvaxqE
But the coup de grace was the 100 Freestyle. Lexy has been sitting at 1:21.02 since she set the time several months ago. It was enormously gratifying to see her finish today at 1:18.10.
Watch 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgHJwmetCr8
And, let me apologize in advance to all you Spartan alums for saying the following: I actually enjoyed myself in Ann Arbor this weekend (wince). Yes, it pains me to say it, but I had a nice lunch at Amer's deli on State Street, and fun shopping at Orchid Lane (a.k.a. The hippie store). It was truly a delightful day -- warm and sunny for February first. There were lots of folks with spring fever; and tomorrow there will be lots of folks with winter colds!
10. We don't have to listen to people whine about the Lions for six months.
9. It's three days shorter than last month.
8. It's was about 20 degrees warmer today than yesterday.
7. TBS will play Groundhog Day tomorrow.
6. TBS will play Groundhog Day tomorrow.
5. TBS will play . . . (just kidding).
4. Drag racing season starts next weekend (that was for Ed).
3. It would be nice not to hear the words "Did you see Dow on the news last night?"
2. I have a nice dinner planned for Valentine's Day.
. . . and the number one reason why February is better than January is:
1. Lexy got three best times at her swim meet today, and four this weekend!
Before I get into the details of the meet, I have to say, I learned a good lesson this weekend. The answer to the following question should ALWAYS be NO! "Shall we confirm you in a non-smoking room with two double beds?"
If you haven't stayed in a hotel lately, let me help: a "double" bed in hotel terms is just a wee bit wider than a twin bed. Therefore, trying to squeeze even two reasonably sized people into one would prove challenging. Since I decided to give Sydney a respite from Lexy's tendency to overtake the bed, I spent both nights clutching my side of the mattress, hoping not to fall off. I was playing the role of bed barnacle, for lack of a better term.
As I mentioned in number one of my top ten list, Lexy had a terrific day today. She swam three individual events: the 50 backstroke, the 50 butterfly, the 100 freestyle, and one relay. For the 50 back, she finished .3 seconds faster. from 46.47 to 46.16.
Watch 50 Backstroke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voEv2s-nzdo
This whole year the 50 fly has not been one of Lexy's better strokes, but today she knocked off almost two seconds, from 46.37 to 44.69.
Watch 50 Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63XBwLvaxqE
But the coup de grace was the 100 Freestyle. Lexy has been sitting at 1:21.02 since she set the time several months ago. It was enormously gratifying to see her finish today at 1:18.10.
Watch 100 Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgHJwmetCr8
And, let me apologize in advance to all you Spartan alums for saying the following: I actually enjoyed myself in Ann Arbor this weekend (wince). Yes, it pains me to say it, but I had a nice lunch at Amer's deli on State Street, and fun shopping at Orchid Lane (a.k.a. The hippie store). It was truly a delightful day -- warm and sunny for February first. There were lots of folks with spring fever; and tomorrow there will be lots of folks with winter colds!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Club Wolverine Waterfest, Jan 31, 2009
Greetings from the University of Michigan Graduate Library! I swore I would never step foot into this den of iniquity, but hey, ya gotta get out of the cold sometimes. And they have free internet access.
Why are we here? It's not a very long story. The idea was that, while Lexy was swimming this morning, Sydney was going to make good use of her Saturday morning and spend it researching a topic here at la bibliotheque. We thought they opened at 8, but they didn't open until 10. So, poor Sydney had to suffer through the swim meet at Saline High School.
Lexy did well today. She swam four individual events and a relay. Her four events were the 100 I.M., the 100 Backstroke, the 50 Breaststroke and the 50 Free. She also swam the breaststroke leg of the 200 Medley relay.
In the 100 IM, she got a best time of 1:34.79, and in the 100 Backstroke she added a lot -- about eight seconds. Not sure what happened there! In the 50 Breast she also added time (about two seconds, to 51.93), but finally, in the 50 Free, she lost .02 seconds for a best time of 35.65. The girls finished 8th in the relay, adding about 5 seconds to their best combined time. See below for the links to all of today's videos.
100 IM Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9i-lsIcgNg
100 Backstroke Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ywmhuFCjug
50 Free Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA739axrN_E
50 Breaststroke Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeqVuul8h4ks
The meet ended at about 12:30, so we were all hungry for lunch. Sydney suggested a place that she had heard about from a friend who spends a lot of time in Ann Arbor. So we plugged "Crazy Jim's Blimpy Burger" into the GPS, and off we went.
Crazy Jim's is in the heart of Ann Arbor, at the corner of Division and Packard. As I turned the corner and got my first glimpse of the "joint" I recoiled. "Eww, Sydney, I don't think I want to eat there!" To which she replied, "C'mon Mom, where's your sense of adventure?" Famous last words.
Welcome to Blimpy Burger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOc8_ngYZ3ss
Crazy Jim's advertises that they're "cheaper than food," but I beg to differ. After ordering four double-burgers (they're MINI) an order or fries, rings and a few sodas, it was as much as we would have paid anywhere. We waited for about 15 minutes in a line of about thirty, until it was our turn to make fools of ourselves at the counter, where we OBVIOUSLY had no idea how to order. The burger guy said "Don't talk to me about cheese!" He also whined at me about taking a video.
Whiny burger guy video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqV-Eem5S9A
Let me also add that the line winds through the tables and chairs, which are bolted to the floor and makes it nearly impossible for anyone to get in or out. People were a lot smaller in the 50's! We also got admonished by the cashier for having Lexy sit at a table while we ordered. There aren't a lot of places to sit, and I guess it's against the rules! Whatever. And, the burgers were "OK."
Walking back to the car, belching, hiccuping and feeling generally sluggish, I announced that everyone would be having salads for dinner! The response was lukewarm at best.
With all this grease now coursing through our rapidly clogging veins, we headed back over the library, dropped Sydney off, and thought about what to do. Lexy and I donated all my change to another parking meter and set off for the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The museum is only half a block away from the libary but we were frozen by the time we got there. Correction, Lexy's hair, which was still damp from the swim meet, was frozen. And yes mom, she WAS wearing a hat.
The Museum, of course, is closed until March! The Michigan Union was across the street so we darted over there and asked the woman at the desk if there was anything open. She mentioned the planetarium on the other side of The Diag (that's U of M slang) and it just looked too far to walk in the cold and wind. So we hoofed back over to the library, where we sit now, me blogging and Lexy getting caught up on her Webkinz miniature golf.
The question remains: where is Sydney? Lost in the stacks in the U of M graduate library. She's doing research and refining her topic for her IB paper. That happens to be something along the lines of post-World War II reconstruction of European cities. But what type of reconstruction? Architectural? Political? Cultural? I suppose we must wait.
Why are we here? It's not a very long story. The idea was that, while Lexy was swimming this morning, Sydney was going to make good use of her Saturday morning and spend it researching a topic here at la bibliotheque. We thought they opened at 8, but they didn't open until 10. So, poor Sydney had to suffer through the swim meet at Saline High School.
Lexy did well today. She swam four individual events and a relay. Her four events were the 100 I.M., the 100 Backstroke, the 50 Breaststroke and the 50 Free. She also swam the breaststroke leg of the 200 Medley relay.
In the 100 IM, she got a best time of 1:34.79, and in the 100 Backstroke she added a lot -- about eight seconds. Not sure what happened there! In the 50 Breast she also added time (about two seconds, to 51.93), but finally, in the 50 Free, she lost .02 seconds for a best time of 35.65. The girls finished 8th in the relay, adding about 5 seconds to their best combined time. See below for the links to all of today's videos.
100 IM Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9i-lsIcgNg
100 Backstroke Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ywmhuFCjug
50 Free Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA739axrN_E
50 Breaststroke Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeqVuul8h4ks
The meet ended at about 12:30, so we were all hungry for lunch. Sydney suggested a place that she had heard about from a friend who spends a lot of time in Ann Arbor. So we plugged "Crazy Jim's Blimpy Burger" into the GPS, and off we went.
Crazy Jim's is in the heart of Ann Arbor, at the corner of Division and Packard. As I turned the corner and got my first glimpse of the "joint" I recoiled. "Eww, Sydney, I don't think I want to eat there!" To which she replied, "C'mon Mom, where's your sense of adventure?" Famous last words.
Welcome to Blimpy Burger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOc8_ngYZ3ss
Crazy Jim's advertises that they're "cheaper than food," but I beg to differ. After ordering four double-burgers (they're MINI) an order or fries, rings and a few sodas, it was as much as we would have paid anywhere. We waited for about 15 minutes in a line of about thirty, until it was our turn to make fools of ourselves at the counter, where we OBVIOUSLY had no idea how to order. The burger guy said "Don't talk to me about cheese!" He also whined at me about taking a video.
Whiny burger guy video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqV-Eem5S9A
Let me also add that the line winds through the tables and chairs, which are bolted to the floor and makes it nearly impossible for anyone to get in or out. People were a lot smaller in the 50's! We also got admonished by the cashier for having Lexy sit at a table while we ordered. There aren't a lot of places to sit, and I guess it's against the rules! Whatever. And, the burgers were "OK."
Walking back to the car, belching, hiccuping and feeling generally sluggish, I announced that everyone would be having salads for dinner! The response was lukewarm at best.
With all this grease now coursing through our rapidly clogging veins, we headed back over the library, dropped Sydney off, and thought about what to do. Lexy and I donated all my change to another parking meter and set off for the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The museum is only half a block away from the libary but we were frozen by the time we got there. Correction, Lexy's hair, which was still damp from the swim meet, was frozen. And yes mom, she WAS wearing a hat.
The Museum, of course, is closed until March! The Michigan Union was across the street so we darted over there and asked the woman at the desk if there was anything open. She mentioned the planetarium on the other side of The Diag (that's U of M slang) and it just looked too far to walk in the cold and wind. So we hoofed back over to the library, where we sit now, me blogging and Lexy getting caught up on her Webkinz miniature golf.
The question remains: where is Sydney? Lost in the stacks in the U of M graduate library. She's doing research and refining her topic for her IB paper. That happens to be something along the lines of post-World War II reconstruction of European cities. But what type of reconstruction? Architectural? Political? Cultural? I suppose we must wait.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Caro Dual Meet - Caro vs. Midland - Jan 17, 2009
It was a blustery day in Michigan's thumb. The wind swirled the blowing and drifting snow along Route 81 east to make the road appear to be in constant motion. The sub-zero wind chills made keeping the car warm a challenge. Our toes were freezing as we approached small farm houses with dilapidated barns outlined against miles of white. Less experienced drivers slowed to about 35 miles per hour along a the two-lane road where 55 mph was more likely.
Caro, Michigan is the absolute middle of nowhere. Imagine my surprise when we arrived at their high school to find a very nice 50 Meter pool! It took me a while, however, to realize the pool was 50 meters. Typically in the winter season, we are swimming in 50 Yard pools, which, as you know, are shorter by a good margin. The times posted in the program seemed odd to me, until I figured it out, got home, and did the Meters to Yards conversion. As it turned out, Lexy had a spectacular day!
The first event was the 200 Meter relay, with each girl swimming their best stroke for 50 meters (two lengths). They dropped about four seconds as a team, winning first in their age division.
In the 50 Fly, Lexy dropped about three-tenths of a second from her 50 yard time (converted). This was her best time all year. She came in second behind her 10-year old teammate. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n1rUjKGtRI
In the 50 backstroke, Lexy dropped more than two seconds (converted time). Again, a second place behind the same teammate. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoYxUvvpCDk
And in the 50 Meter breaststroke win, she dropped about two-tenths of a second in her converted time, and finally won a legitimate first place this season. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THZEdOL44Y4
This was a great way to spend a blustery Saturday. By the time we left, there were several inches of snow on the ground. By Sunday morning, at home, we had about eight inches of the fluffy stuff!
Caro, Michigan is the absolute middle of nowhere. Imagine my surprise when we arrived at their high school to find a very nice 50 Meter pool! It took me a while, however, to realize the pool was 50 meters. Typically in the winter season, we are swimming in 50 Yard pools, which, as you know, are shorter by a good margin. The times posted in the program seemed odd to me, until I figured it out, got home, and did the Meters to Yards conversion. As it turned out, Lexy had a spectacular day!
The first event was the 200 Meter relay, with each girl swimming their best stroke for 50 meters (two lengths). They dropped about four seconds as a team, winning first in their age division.
In the 50 Fly, Lexy dropped about three-tenths of a second from her 50 yard time (converted). This was her best time all year. She came in second behind her 10-year old teammate. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n1rUjKGtRI
In the 50 backstroke, Lexy dropped more than two seconds (converted time). Again, a second place behind the same teammate. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoYxUvvpCDk
And in the 50 Meter breaststroke win, she dropped about two-tenths of a second in her converted time, and finally won a legitimate first place this season. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THZEdOL44Y4
This was a great way to spend a blustery Saturday. By the time we left, there were several inches of snow on the ground. By Sunday morning, at home, we had about eight inches of the fluffy stuff!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Bulldog Aquatic Club (BAC) Winterfest, Jan 10-11, 2009
We are into our winter swim season, and what a winter! It snowed the entire time we were in Royal Oak, to the tune of about 8-10 inches of new snow. With the arctic blast that is coming in this week, we are going into the traditional January deep freeze, with a -20 wind chill predicted by the end of the week. A warm indoor pool isn't a bad place to be, this time of year.
I tried out my new digital video camera this weekend, but I'm not sure I uploaded the right versions of the videos. I'll try to get this fixed, but in the meantime, feel free to get a look at Lexy's performance this weekend. She swam 10 events total -- 8 individual and two relays, but I only have a few uploaded.
50 Backstroke. Lexy is at the top of the screen in lane 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZKhh3UuljQ
50 Butterfly. Lexy is in the middle of the screen in lane 2. She dropped .25 seconds in this race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6-sWZCGhDc
200 Mixed Medley Relay. Lexy and friends swim the 200 yd. medley. Lexy leads off with a nice backstroke start, but gets disqualified for her long glide at the turn. Her compadres are Ally Kiekaefer on the breaststroke, Nehemiah Mork on the butterfly and Jennifer Yu on the Freestyle leg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8CTOG9_nNw
I think you can watch all the videos I have uploaded so far at: http://www.youtube.com/user/jsohayda. If you have trouble with that let me know and I'll try to figure out how to fix it!
I tried out my new digital video camera this weekend, but I'm not sure I uploaded the right versions of the videos. I'll try to get this fixed, but in the meantime, feel free to get a look at Lexy's performance this weekend. She swam 10 events total -- 8 individual and two relays, but I only have a few uploaded.
50 Backstroke. Lexy is at the top of the screen in lane 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZKhh3UuljQ
50 Butterfly. Lexy is in the middle of the screen in lane 2. She dropped .25 seconds in this race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6-sWZCGhDc
200 Mixed Medley Relay. Lexy and friends swim the 200 yd. medley. Lexy leads off with a nice backstroke start, but gets disqualified for her long glide at the turn. Her compadres are Ally Kiekaefer on the breaststroke, Nehemiah Mork on the butterfly and Jennifer Yu on the Freestyle leg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8CTOG9_nNw
I think you can watch all the videos I have uploaded so far at: http://www.youtube.com/user/jsohayda. If you have trouble with that let me know and I'll try to figure out how to fix it!
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