In an effort to get "up and at 'em", we went in search of Lake Michigan this morning. How can a lake that big be so hard to find? I just got so turned around in downtown Holland (I know, that was my first mistake), that I got really frustrated. It was raining anyway, so we gave up, parked, and window-shopped.
Today's events were a far cry better than the past two days. Lexy swam just two. First was the backstroke leg of the Medley Relay. Backstroke hasn't been her strong stroke this year, but today she did an awesome job! Backstroke is the first one out of the chute in this relay, followed by breaststroke, fly, and free. She's been languishing at 46.89 for a 50 Meter backstroke for about a month -- but today, she dropped three seconds, finishing at 43.87! This is even within the state qualifying time for this event. Something must have clicked there, though I don't know where or when.
When it came to the 100 breaststroke event, I felt she would do well. She ended up dropping .41 to finish at 1:46.47.
In the afternoon, the sun had come out, so we got ourselves a REAL map, and headed over to Holland State Park. We gathered up our umbrella, towels, and I grabbed a book, and we sat on an actual beach for a couple of hours. Lexy played in the surf and dug in the sand just like I did when I was a kid, but she didn't get to lick her arm and taste salt. Definitely missing the salt.
Just one day left for states, and there will be four events tomorrow. A busy day -- see you then!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Long Course State Championships, Day Two
After a relaxing morning wandering downtown Holland and finding some fun buys, we headed back to the pool. I dropped Lex at the door and then wandered the streets of Holland looking for someplace, anyplace, to park. I'm sorry to say, I had to park illegally, in the hospital parking lot. I'm thrilled that so many kids qualified for states and that so many people showed up to watch them swim. I'm less excited about this daily ritual.
Today was more fun for Lexy since she wasn't the only swimmer in the 12 & under category! Her teammates Nehemiah (a.k.a. Nemo), Bridget, and Jenny came to keep her company (and also swim their qualifying events). It was a special treat to see Jenny since her family moved to Texas a few weeks ago, and they've come back especially to swim at States. A brief but fun reunion!
Nemo and Jenny did really well; both got on the medal stand having finished in the top 8 in their 50 Fly events. Bridget also finished well, right on her best time. Lexy, well, not so much. Her only event today was the 200 Free, normally an event where she shines. Lexy has always been more of an endurance swimmer than a sprinter, so I felt confident going in that she would do well. However, she was a little slower again. Not enough to cause concern -- she's still well within the qualifying time range.
We have two days, two relays and four events to go. I hope she can find her motivation and bring her pool face with her.
Today was more fun for Lexy since she wasn't the only swimmer in the 12 & under category! Her teammates Nehemiah (a.k.a. Nemo), Bridget, and Jenny came to keep her company (and also swim their qualifying events). It was a special treat to see Jenny since her family moved to Texas a few weeks ago, and they've come back especially to swim at States. A brief but fun reunion!
Nemo and Jenny did really well; both got on the medal stand having finished in the top 8 in their 50 Fly events. Bridget also finished well, right on her best time. Lexy, well, not so much. Her only event today was the 200 Free, normally an event where she shines. Lexy has always been more of an endurance swimmer than a sprinter, so I felt confident going in that she would do well. However, she was a little slower again. Not enough to cause concern -- she's still well within the qualifying time range.
We have two days, two relays and four events to go. I hope she can find her motivation and bring her pool face with her.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Long Course State Championships, Day One
Here we are, at Lexy's second trip to Long Course State Championships,this time in Holland, Michigan. Lexy had a pretty good year, getting six qualifying times during the season. Because there are so many kids who need to get through all their events, the meet starts on a Thursday and goes through Sunday. In all, she'll swim six individual events and two relays.
Her first event for the weekend was the 400 Freestyle, which I think went pretty well. She was seeded 11th of 24 competing, she swam just 8 seconds slower than her best time, and still a qualifying time (6:00.39). There was quite a long wait between warm-ups and the time she got to swim, so I'm sure she lost a fair amount of adrenaline along the way, but I think she did a great job.
Looking forward to tomorrow when she'll swim the 200 Free.
Her first event for the weekend was the 400 Freestyle, which I think went pretty well. She was seeded 11th of 24 competing, she swam just 8 seconds slower than her best time, and still a qualifying time (6:00.39). There was quite a long wait between warm-ups and the time she got to swim, so I'm sure she lost a fair amount of adrenaline along the way, but I think she did a great job.
Looking forward to tomorrow when she'll swim the 200 Free.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Barracuda Summer Sizzler June 26-27, 2010
After the half-mile Open Water swim on Friday night, we hoped Lexy wasn't too pooped to swim well on Saturday. She had five events in front of her: 50 Fly, 100 Free, 100 Breast, 50 Back and 200 Free. While the day started with a drizzle, it cleared up quickly and we had a quick home meet. Lexy didn't make any best times on Saturday, which I think can be attributed to the previous night's activity, and also the fact that she's been swimming pretty well this season.
Sunday was a different story. It was cloudy and dark when we got up, and it started to rain when we left the house. We managed to get three or four events in before the thunder and lightning required us to clear the pool and take cover under tents. I think it was a good hour before the storm had passed and we could start again!
Then, Lexy had a great day. She got three new best times, in the 100 Fly, the 50 Breast and the 100 Back. For her other two events, the 200 Free and 50 Free, she already had state qualifying times, but came in very close to those times.
Now, we're taking a bit of a break since our next meet isn't for two weeks. This will be a good time for Lexy to work on her technique and start getting ready for States at the end of the month. She's already qualified to swim six events at States: 50 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 50 Breast, 100 Breast and 200 IM. Lexy really seems to enjoy the distance events as opposed to the sprints. When she ages up in August, we'll see what other longer events we can start adding to her repertoire!
Sunday was a different story. It was cloudy and dark when we got up, and it started to rain when we left the house. We managed to get three or four events in before the thunder and lightning required us to clear the pool and take cover under tents. I think it was a good hour before the storm had passed and we could start again!
Then, Lexy had a great day. She got three new best times, in the 100 Fly, the 50 Breast and the 100 Back. For her other two events, the 200 Free and 50 Free, she already had state qualifying times, but came in very close to those times.
Now, we're taking a bit of a break since our next meet isn't for two weeks. This will be a good time for Lexy to work on her technique and start getting ready for States at the end of the month. She's already qualified to swim six events at States: 50 Free, 200 Free, 400 Free, 50 Breast, 100 Breast and 200 IM. Lexy really seems to enjoy the distance events as opposed to the sprints. When she ages up in August, we'll see what other longer events we can start adding to her repertoire!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
CUDA Open Water June 25, 2010
On Friday, June 25
, about 20 swimmers from our team and a few other competitors joined us at Sanford Lake in Sanford, Michigan for our first ever Open Water swim meet. Open Water is basically any swim competition that does not take place in a pool. There were several events in which swimmers could participate: 2 mile, 1.5 mile, 1 mile and .5 mile. Swimmers in Lexy's age group could only do the half mile. I think this was a great way to get her feet wet (if you'll pardon the pun) with open water events.
Before the event, Lexy put in some quality sandcastle time.
, about 20 swimmers from our team and a few other competitors joined us at Sanford Lake in Sanford, Michigan for our first ever Open Water swim meet. Open Water is basically any swim competition that does not take place in a pool. There were several events in which swimmers could participate: 2 mile, 1.5 mile, 1 mile and .5 mile. Swimmers in Lexy's age group could only do the half mile. I think this was a great way to get her feet wet (if you'll pardon the pun) with open water events.Before the event, Lexy put in some quality sandcastle time.
Swimmers in each event were easily distinguishable by the different color caps they wore. Green denoted half mile; red denoted the one mile swimmers. Both groups started at the same and then as they came in their times were recorded.
The kids (and some adults!) waded out for the start. On their way back , they had to swim through two specific buoys and run to the finish gate. If the kids swam through the seaweed patch, it made the running less pleasant.
The kids (and some adults!) waded out for the start. On their way back , they had to swim through two specific buoys and run to the finish gate. If the kids swam through the seaweed patch, it made the running less pleasant.Lexy finished first for the girls in her age group. We are still waiting to find out her time, but were thrilled with her finish. Great job Lexy!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Freeze or Fry, June 20, 2010
It's Father's Day, so Happy Father's Day to you dads, and especially to swim dads who willingly spend such a huge part of their lives watching, volunteering, coaching, officiating and just being supportive of their swimmers. You make a huge difference. Thank you!
This is the third day of an outdoor meet where the heat has had an incredible effect on the spectators, if not the swimmers. We were all moving just a little more slowly today than on Friday or Saturday. The umbrellas were more prevalent and the sweet scent of sunblock is in the air. I took refuge under the team tent, but there are still many parents who are braving the sun, sitting right by the pool where the sun's rays reflecting off the pool can be blinding. A hearty "thank you" goes out to the DRD parent who took pity on me and gave me some ibuprofen from his personal stash. The headache did go away, but I'm sure was from a lethal combination of dehydration, restaurant food and overexposure to the sun. Sometimes being a spectator is just as hard as being a participant.
Lexy did well today -- no best times to speak of, but a very solid performance in her four events: 200 free, 50 breast, 100 back and 50 fly. For the most part she was right on her best times, give or take a second or so. She'll go to practice in the morning and get lots of ribbons or medals, especially for her Q1 in the 200 IM which she took on Friday night. Great weekend Lexy! Now it's on to the Summer Sizzler, and Lexy's first open water event on Friday afternoon.
This is the third day of an outdoor meet where the heat has had an incredible effect on the spectators, if not the swimmers. We were all moving just a little more slowly today than on Friday or Saturday. The umbrellas were more prevalent and the sweet scent of sunblock is in the air. I took refuge under the team tent, but there are still many parents who are braving the sun, sitting right by the pool where the sun's rays reflecting off the pool can be blinding. A hearty "thank you" goes out to the DRD parent who took pity on me and gave me some ibuprofen from his personal stash. The headache did go away, but I'm sure was from a lethal combination of dehydration, restaurant food and overexposure to the sun. Sometimes being a spectator is just as hard as being a participant.
Lexy did well today -- no best times to speak of, but a very solid performance in her four events: 200 free, 50 breast, 100 back and 50 fly. For the most part she was right on her best times, give or take a second or so. She'll go to practice in the morning and get lots of ribbons or medals, especially for her Q1 in the 200 IM which she took on Friday night. Great weekend Lexy! Now it's on to the Summer Sizzler, and Lexy's first open water event on Friday afternoon.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Dearborn Freeze or Fry, June 19, 2010
Up and at'em early today, for Lexy to swim four events: 50 Back, 100 Breast, 50 Free and 100 Fly. It rained overnight and the day is clear but still a little muggy. I'm glad the rain was over with last night -- in some areas the power is out and there were tornado warnings. Some of our teammates were camping a little north of where the meet is being held, and they had a pretty rough night. Hope they have a good day of swimming.
The backstroke isn't Lexy's best, but today she managed to cut about 2.5 seconds off her best time, finishing at 46.89. She's getting better at this, but a better breaststroke time is what we were after today. She came through, finishing 10th overall in her age group and shaving about 2 seconds off her best time to finish at 1:46.88. Way to go!
In the 50 Free, Lexy had qualified for states last weekend with a 37.22, and she was able to better her time today by about .25 seconds, finishing at 36.97. Her time in the 100 Fly, her last event, was about the same as her seed time, so there was no major change up or down on that one. Surprisingly, she finished 5th overall in that event. Once again, we had a great day. It easy to see that all the practice is paying off.
The backstroke isn't Lexy's best, but today she managed to cut about 2.5 seconds off her best time, finishing at 46.89. She's getting better at this, but a better breaststroke time is what we were after today. She came through, finishing 10th overall in her age group and shaving about 2 seconds off her best time to finish at 1:46.88. Way to go!
In the 50 Free, Lexy had qualified for states last weekend with a 37.22, and she was able to better her time today by about .25 seconds, finishing at 36.97. Her time in the 100 Fly, her last event, was about the same as her seed time, so there was no major change up or down on that one. Surprisingly, she finished 5th overall in that event. Once again, we had a great day. It easy to see that all the practice is paying off.
Just for fun, in the afternoon, Lexy and Jenny and I went to see Toy Story 3 in IMAX 3D at the Henry Ford. What a great way to end the series. Granted, it was a bittersweet ending. This movie is such a huge part of my life, I even based a presentation at work on it. I bought my own Woody and Buzz figures and couldn't ever think of parting with them. This was also a fun thing to do with the girls, since Jenny will be moving soon and swimming with a new team. Lexy will miss her, but she will remember seeing Toy Story 3 with her.
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