Results of my 1st meet in 7 years

[tomtopo]

Hi!
Well, it was fun. I ended up spinning my wheels in the 50Br with a 32.11, a 1:07 in the 100IM, a 2:37 in the 200IM and I finished my fly with a 27.97 (that almost beat my time 12 years ago when I trained an average of 3000yds). Our state meet in in mid-April and I intend to train more. The worst feeling in the world was when I got out of the pool. I recently had a calcium scoring test (CT Scan that measures calcium plaque) and I've got to go in Thursday because the results were bad. It wasn't a surprise to me but it still forces some issues. First, my diet will change and I should force myself to exercise more. I hope everyone over 35, who has a history of CHD gets this $200 test, it can tell you a lot, not everything (soft plaque evades the CT Scan) but a lot.
I really think the techpaddles made-up for a lot of yardage I didn't do but it didn't make-up for the pain I felt after each swim. So more yardage. Got to go, God Bless, Coach T.

[swimr4life]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Way to go. Are you hooked? ;)

[tjburk]

Welcome back tomtopo. Diet can make a world of difference!

[SwimStud]

Hi!
Well, it was fun. I ended up spinning my wheels in the 50Br with a 32.11, a 1:07 in the 100IM, a 2:37 in the 200IM and I finished my fly with a 27.97 (that almost beat my time 12 years ago when I trained an average of 3000yds). Our state meet in in mid-April and I intend to train more. The worst feeling in the world was when I got out of the pool. I recently had a calcium scoring test (CT Scan that measures calcium plaque) and I've got to go in Thursday because the results were bad. It wasn't a surprise to me but it still forces some issues. First, my diet will change and I should force myself to exercise more. I hope everyone over 35, who has a history of CHD gets this $200 test, it can tell you a lot, not everything (soft plaque evades the CT Scan) but a lot.
I really think the techpaddles made-up for a lot of yardage I didn't do but it didn't make-up for the pain I felt after each swim. So more yardage. Got to go, God Bless, Coach T.

Way to go on the BR! Just stay away from the east-coast!! ;) LOL

[tomtopo]

I've always been hooked but it's too bad it takes a little bad news to really motivate a person. I admire my colleagues who do it to do it (for the love of life) -- My new motto. For the love of life I'm going to eat healthy, listen to my boys better and with real interest, and I can go on and on and on. You know what I'm talking about my brothers and sisters. God Bless Coach T.

[swimr4life]

Tomtopo,
I'm so glad you are being proactive and taking charge of your health. Sometimes it takes a reality check to make us realize that your health is truly one of the most important things in life. I have watched my mom go through so much pain and misery with all of her health problems. Most were out of her control...but, some could be prevented or improved with diet and exercise -heart disease and osteoporosis. It has made me much more conscious of doing all that I can to prevent these problems in the future.

[The Fortress]

Coach T:

You are heck of a short axis swimmer! What fabulous first meet results! That's awesome. It's also awesome you're going to take care of your health. That's the most important thing! I've had a little scare with my eyes recently (again), and, since I would like to see, I'm being very very careful. So keep at it! It's so nice to read posts like that. Very inspiring. Thanks! Keep us posted.

:groovy:

[Kimberlie Streed]

My new motto. For the love of life I'm going to eat healthy, listen to my boys better and with real interest, and I can go on and on and on. You know what I'm talking about my brothers and sisters. God Bless Coach T.

Congratulations mostly for your new life motto but also for the great swim times. You may have stepped away from the pool and healty lifestyles for awhile but its a blessing your back, for you and your boys. You have good reason to stick with it and will soon be swimming for the love of it too!

[tomtopo]

Guys and Gals,

I'll keep everyone posted after I find out what the further tests tell me. I really do appreciate the replies, it really means a lot. Thanks

[quicksilver]

Hi Tom,

Great job. And not to get off topic...but one of our team parents has a few pairs of your paddles, and they work pretty well. (I like fist drills both personally and for the kids... and the paddles are the next best thing.) Good luck with them.

[islandsox]

Coach T,

I think those swim times sound wonderful especially for not competing for so long and even tho you may have had a health scare, at least you are re-committed toward all those things that we all know we should do more of and not just talk about.

You had to feel good with those swim times, I would have!!!

Donna

[tomtopo]

Donna,
I felt really pleased with the times. When I finished my 50 Br (32.11) I knew my timing was off. I was spinning my wheels (not finishing the stroke, slipping, no glide on the start or turn, not streamlining, etc.,). Oh, I forgot to tell everyone that this coach of over 30 years forgot his goggles and almost his first event while chatting with a fellow swimmer. One our high school assistant coaches caught me and I think it's going to cost me a bundle to keep him quiet.
Thanks for the reply.

[FlyQueen]

Congrats on the times and welcome back!

[Allen Stark]

Pretty impressive for your first meet back. It is SO easy to spin your wheels in the 50 Br. I'm sure you know the drills to work on it better than I.I'm sure you know this but it is easy to forget at a meet.I have a tendency to spin too fast on the 50 BR and what I have found helps is to visualize my stroke before the race REALLY thinking about stretch.Again I know you know that,but I know it and if I don't plan to do it I forget.
Again Great Job and welcome back.

[waves101]

Congrats! See you at State Meet.

[tomtopo]

Allen and Jeff,
Allen, I didn't any visualization and I will make sure I do. You'd have laughed when I dove in and (like a newby) didn't glide but came up like a sub. Thanks for the tip.
Jeff, I'll see you at the meet. Did you attend the Grand Haven meet? Tom

[MichiganHusker]

What are the drills to help stop "spinning wheels" in BR? I have the same problem, seems when I'm nice and relaxed I swim faster then when I try and hurry up the stroke. I just cannot seem to get the 50 BR down - 100 is better since I stretch it out and relax. I'm thinking the 200 BR would be even better for me, if I could swim BR that far and not drown!

[aztimm]

Donna,
I felt really pleased with the times. When I finished my 50 Br (32.11) I knew my timing was off. I was spinning my wheels (not finishing the stroke, slipping, no glide on the start or turn, not streamlining, etc.,). Oh, I forgot to tell everyone that this coach of over 30 years forgot his goggles and almost his first event while chatting with a fellow swimmer. One our high school assistant coaches caught me and I think it's going to cost me a bundle to keep him quiet.
Thanks for the reply.

Would you care to share your age group? That 50 Br sounds like an excellent time...just wondering how I'd compare.

[tomtopo]

I'm 53 and I think visualization drills, streamlining drills, isometric drills. Slow swims and muscle memory drills should help me become more efficient. Good luck! Tom

[waves101]

Yes, I swam at Grand Haven. I had an injured back but was still able to turn in one of my best 50 times in the last couple of years. That and I just aged up. Maybe I should stop going to the chiropractor and tell him everything must be right because I had a good time.