Clambake Swim Meet

January 21, 2006

One thing that I've wanted to do for a few years now is compete in a swim meet. I did one (this same one actually) about 4 or 5 years ago, but only competed in one or two events as I had no idea what I was doing. Well, this is the year that I am going to compete in a few swim meets and all of the freestyle events I can get into! The first one this year was held at the Patullo Swim Center in Seaside. The meet didn't start until after 10am and so I had time to go for a 7 mile run beforehand...just to warm up!

I was excited, anxious and nervous at the same time. My first event was the 200 Free where I competed against one other women who was older than me. I have done 200's in practice but never in a meet situation...I just swam and came in with a time of 2:19:55. A PR for me! I then had a few minutes before the 500 where there were a couple of women that I swam against. My time for that was 6:14:21. Again a PR for me. My next event was the 50. John Haussermann figured I could go a :29 and so I dove off the blocks and swam as hard as I could and went :29:45! Again a PR!! I was on fire. I guess it's easy to get PR's if you haven't really swum in a meet before!

After the 50, I had about 2 hours to sit and wait while other events were going on. It was nice to visit and cheer other athletes on. I had two events to go the 100 and the 1000 which so happen to be one right after the other without any other events sandwhiched inbetween. Just prior to getting on the blocks John told me to go a 1:02 in the 100; my fastest time before had been a 1:04 and that was a few years ago in practice. I think there were a few women who started with me although I think they were older than me. I swam my heart out and came in on a 1:02:??. I did it!!
I didn't have much time to either swim down or catch my breath before getting back on the blocks to start the 1000, the last event of the day. It was just me and Heidi Haussermann (John's wife) who were brave enough to compete in this event. Eventhough I couldn't see a clock I tried to keep my pace as consistent as possible and even try to pick it up during the end. I really had no idea how to swim this, but figured I just try to keep it strong and as fast as I could. John had given me a few times that he thought I could get...a 13:20 most likely or if I was really going for it a 13:00...Well, like I said I just swam and came in at 12:23:59!! A super time for me and boy did it hurt! I guess I even swam my first 500 of the 1000 faster than my 500 earlier in the day!! I think I just need to get a really good warm-up before races!

Other local athletes that competed and did an outstanding job (although I don't have their times) are Philip Darst, Tim (I don't know your last name), Heidi and John Haussermann and Les Waddel. We all had a great time and encourage other athletes to attend swim meets in the future.