PHX Swim Club Meet Recap & Ride After

Yesterday marked the first time that I competed in a swim meet in about 21 years and it was everything that I remembered!  I entered the 50 yard butterfly, the 50 yard backstroke, and the 50 yard freestyle.  Back in high school, my main events were the 100 yard fly and the 100 yard back and was fourth in the state in fly and sixth in back (it could be the other way around, but it's been a while!)  At any rate, the fam decided to head down to the venue with me to give their support

Upon arrival, I quickly became VERY excited.  A ton of memories came flooding back from those summer league meets I competed in as a kid between the ages 8 and 18 as well as the USS meets and high school meets.  The 8 lane pool, the official starting blocks, the starter, the Colorado Timing touch pads, and the big board that showed all of the finishing times as they happened, were a welcome sight.  Kristi and the kids set up camp at one end of the pool while I got ready to get in for a warm-up.

Just happy to be here after all these years:

Family Support:

 My playground for the day:

During warm-ups, it was critical that I practiced my starts off the block for the fly, free, and back as well.  I also needed to practice counting my strokes from the flags to the wall so I could execute my backstroke turn, and finish, properly.  There was a lot to do!  I was in the pool for about 20 minutes before it was closed and the meet was about to begin.

My first event was the 100 yard fly.  I can’t tell you how much I LOVE this event.  When the starter blew his whistle, I stepped up and bent over.  When I heard, “Take your mark”, I grabbed the block with both hands and waited for the start beep.  It seemed like forever, but when I heard it, I shot off the blocks and immediately got into a streamlined position.  Here are the notes that I sent to Frank after the meet:

“First event = 50 fly.  Honestly, this was the first time for me going off the blocks to a starter in about 20 years.  I felt that my reaction time was pretty good, but my entry needs work.  Instead of exploding out, I kind of felt like I went straight in.  I could definitely get more distance/momentum with some work.  In fact, truth be told, I had kind of had a "This is awesome, I can't believe I'm doing this again" attitude instead of that "killer" / focused tude needed.  My underwater dolphin kicks (both off the start and off the wall) weren't nearly as strong as they should have been.  Why?  Not sure, but I do know that my fly kick is STRONG.  The turn.  Good Lord, my turn was HORRIBLE!!!  I knew it right away too.  I took zero breaths the first 22 yards and, for some illogical reason, took one RIGHT BEFORE THE WALL!  After that, I was thrown off and actually GRABBED the gutter instead of just touching it to turn.  The finish had me stretched out too far from the wall...I misjudged it and had to kick instead of taking another pull.”

Top 5 times:

1. Takumi Sakamoto (23) - 24:01

2. Martin Joost (23) - 25:12

3. Travis Anderson (24) - 25:73

4. Patrick Brundage (45) - 25:77

5. Dan Thomas (39) - 26:95 – (1^st AG)

FWIW, Patrick Brundage is the Arizona Masters record holder in the 50 fly for the 40-44 age group.  That record time is 24.72.

That's me in the white cap.  Patrick Brundage is in the lane next to me:

 

 Next up was the backstroke.  Here are some notes:

“Again, the start was bad.  I did more of a back flop than a streamlined entry.  Dolphin kicks weren't as strong as I can do 'em either.  The turn was actually pretty good though.  I was hugging the lane line instead of being in the center.  Probably swam and extra few feet.  Misjudged the finish and kicked in.”

Top 5 times:1. Hank Baldwin (28) - 26:40

2. Takumi Sakamoto (23) - 26:52

3. Martin Joost (23) - 28:04

4. Patrick Brundage (45) - 28:36

5. Dan Thomas (39) - 29:18 – (1^st AG)

 And the last event, the 50 yard free:

“The start felt a bit better this time around.  Pics show me going in very streamlined.  Probably didn't get out as much as needed.  Dolphin kicks could have been stronger.  Turn was good.  No breaths the whole way down, in and out of the turn, but 2 or 3 back?!?!  Did finish strong with a good reach though.

Top 4 times:

1. Hank Baldwin (28) - 22:24

2. Travis Anderson (24) - 23:35

3. Patrick Brundage (45) - 23.90

4. Dan Thomas (39) - 24:15 – (1^st AG)

I can honestly say that this was an AWESOME experience for me to be back in the sport that I enjoyed so much growing up.  The added excitement of being able to share it with my family was out of this world cool too!

After the meet, I had to come home and bang out the following ride:

WU: 90 at IM pace (zone 2) MS: Ride 50-60 minutes steady in the heart rate 3-5a zones. Non-stop. Flat course. Aero position. Smooth pedaling. 85-100 rpm. Breathe easily CD: steady constant pressure on pedals last hour, legs should feel as they do on the last part of IM Day. During you main interval: As you come up to hills, push harder than normal, HR will rise but allow it to settle down and back to steady.

With the following results:

Underestimated water today. Had to stop and refill. Felt fairly strong, but still a bit tired from yesterday's 15 mile run. Got a flat @ mile 42. My spare had a hole in it as well. Had to make "the call" to get picked up.