joel schmaltz

SC SCY state meet starts tonight with the mile. Usually before a big meet I send out some sort of message to my teammates to try to pump them up a little. This year I went cheesy with this little message. Keep in mind it was done quickly with not much thought.

'twas the night before race day and all through the house not a swimmer could sleep not even there spouse.
I had packed up my swim bag and it lay by the stair.
Extra goggles, caps and my racing suit with a small tear.
My children were all asleep in their beds.
While 14 races played out continuously through my head.
14 races, have I completely lost my darn mind?
All I can do is hope the stroke and turn judge will be rather kind.
I trust my coach and all of the work I have done.
Hangin with my teammates is the best kind of fun.
Should I check my bag AGAIN to make sure its all there.
I glance through it quickly with a very intense stare.
Will my body make it through race one, the unforgiving mile?
Would I get the "mercy clap" cause my race took quite awhile?
13 races still to follow that beast.
Social Sat night with friends to enjoy a grand feast.
Two of my favs come on Sat, the 500 and the 200 back.
Thankfully they are not scheduled to be back to back.
In the 4IM I made to the fast heat.
But seriously doubt there is anyone there I will beat.
In that race I will be swimming in lane eight.
Maybe "outside smoke" is the nickname I will soon take.
If I make through that one I will feel very proud.
And know that my two girls will be cheering so loud.
I have swum these races over and over in my mind.
I'm sure the championship trophy we will soon find.

Yes I know it is goofy and slightly on the cheesy side, but who cares.

Swam my usual 1650 race/warm up for the rest of the weekend. The mile and I don't like each other much. A teammate and I took turns drafting of each other and cruised the entire way. So I guess I can't really count this one as a race.